fumblesquid
Well-Known Member
This thread is regarding my Rufus, who I've been trying to help feel better basically since the day I got him (about a year ago). I got him from a shelter who agreed with me that he was an old man, even then.
He has been relatively fine, aside from being shy and acute respiratory issues, up until the end of december 2012. Then I noticed that his penis had a brown, smelly goop around it (kind of smelled like rancid BBQ sauce with a little maple syrup). I called the vet who said it was probably a bladdar infection and got some cipro, and followed the instructions to put him on .2 ml of it twice daily. I stopped in february when I decided that it wasn't working, called the vet, and picked up some smz to replace the cipro. After a few weeks of that his breathing became labored, his coat is fluffed constantly, he became less active, and his eyes are squinted or closed. There is no wheezing, gasping, or breathing noises. He has been like this for a couple of days now. The vet has been out of office every time I call (very frustrating) and he doesn't come back until tomorrow (monday). I bought some infant ibuprofen and I've been giving him 15 mg every 6-8 hours to try and help with any pain. When the vet opens tomorrow and I'm bringing him into the office in the morning instead of going to school.
I have some ideas as to what this could be: A stubborn bladder infection and an intense respiratory infection (likely), or the vet said the smelly, goopy penis could be caused by is a kidney (bladder? I forgot) stone. He said he's never seen one in a rat before but that they happen in guinea pigs. I think the second idea could be why he's breathing hard because he's probably in intense pain if he does have a stone (I hear they're really painful in humans!)
I'm really hoping he holds onto life at least until tomorrow... If you have any advice on what to do until tomorrow, what to ask the vet, what this could be, how to fix it, etc. PLEASE help!
He has been relatively fine, aside from being shy and acute respiratory issues, up until the end of december 2012. Then I noticed that his penis had a brown, smelly goop around it (kind of smelled like rancid BBQ sauce with a little maple syrup). I called the vet who said it was probably a bladdar infection and got some cipro, and followed the instructions to put him on .2 ml of it twice daily. I stopped in february when I decided that it wasn't working, called the vet, and picked up some smz to replace the cipro. After a few weeks of that his breathing became labored, his coat is fluffed constantly, he became less active, and his eyes are squinted or closed. There is no wheezing, gasping, or breathing noises. He has been like this for a couple of days now. The vet has been out of office every time I call (very frustrating) and he doesn't come back until tomorrow (monday). I bought some infant ibuprofen and I've been giving him 15 mg every 6-8 hours to try and help with any pain. When the vet opens tomorrow and I'm bringing him into the office in the morning instead of going to school.
I have some ideas as to what this could be: A stubborn bladder infection and an intense respiratory infection (likely), or the vet said the smelly, goopy penis could be caused by is a kidney (bladder? I forgot) stone. He said he's never seen one in a rat before but that they happen in guinea pigs. I think the second idea could be why he's breathing hard because he's probably in intense pain if he does have a stone (I hear they're really painful in humans!)
I'm really hoping he holds onto life at least until tomorrow... If you have any advice on what to do until tomorrow, what to ask the vet, what this could be, how to fix it, etc. PLEASE help!