Rats acting strange and not eating?

[tibbles]

Hi all, two of my boys have began acting really strange and hardly touch their food. They seem extremely lethargic and tend to lay with their heads over the edge of ramps whilst panting with their eyes half open. I currently have 9 boys and none of the others have shown any of these symptoms. This began roughly a week ago and has shown no signs improving. I’m starting to get extremely worried as their sides seem nipped in and they have begun losing weight. Any help would be greatly appreciated and tips as to how to keep them hydrated!

 

[SQ]

They are very ill, having serious problems breathing, and need to see a good vet with the experience and knowledge to treat rats immediately!
They need to be put on appropriate medication asap or they will die.

They need antibiotics such as baytril + azithromycin (10 mg/Ib) orally twice a day for 4 to 6 weeks
Depending upon what is wrong they may also need other medications

They are not eating because it is too difficult to try to eat and breath at the same time
they need to stay hydrated - dehydration kills
so offer easy to eat soft foods such as their blocks soaked in cool water to make mush and organic soy infant formula (or ensure or KMR) thickened with baby cereal, watermelon, cooked squash, cooked sweet potato, baby food, etc

 

[SQ]

Feeding a very tiny piece of dark chocolate (not milk chocolate) may help to keep their airway open u until you can get them to a vet
Do not use steam such as a steamy bathroom because if they have fluid in the lungs, it will add more fluid and make it harder for them to breath

Ratguide.com has medical info you can share with the vet, including dosage info for medications

Some info from the Reference thread that may be helpful:
Breathing Issues (a few possible causes)

* Mycoplasmosis http://ratguide.com/health/bacteria/mycoplasma_mycoplasmosis.php

* Pneumonia http://ratguide.com/health/lower_respiratory/pneumonia.php

* Cardiomyopathy http://ratguide.com/health/cardiovascular/cardiomyopathy.php

* Congestive Heart failure http://ratguide.com/health/cardiovascular/congestive_heart_failure.php


I hope you are able to get your boys the medical care they require
and that they are soon feeling better​

 

[jorats]

I agree, sounds like they are very sick and need a vet for proper meds.