Breathing problems

Question
Thanks so much for your hasty reply. Since writing to you my other rat has started gasping! Just for a few seconds but i've never noticed him doing that before. His stomach also seems rather bloated and spongy.
I've made an appointment with the vet this evening as to getting some more baytril to inject.
Many thanks
Mark
Followup To
Question -
Hello,
I trust that this finds you well.
I have a problem with an aging grey rat (just over two years old) For the last couple of weeks his breathing has become very laboured. It has gotten progressivly worse for the last two days. He gasps and pants, sometimes getting so panicked that he starts to hop and run around. This happens three to five times a day. Sometimes lasting for half an hour or so.
We took him to the vet and he gave us some Baytril to add to his water but he just stopped drinking his water. Since then he has lost a 10th of his weight.
We did a little research on the web and found a suggestion for a "steam tent" Using a bowl of hot water with tea tree oil, setting it next to the cage and covering with a blanket. This has not helped at all.
We have traded the bedding for a towel.
The vet thinks that it might be a tumour in the lungs for a fungi infection in the sinuses both untreatable.
It pains me greatly to say this but we are so upset by his panic attacks that we are considering putting him down.
Any suggests would be wonderful.

Many thanks,
Mark
Answer -
Hello Mark,
 I am so sorry to hear about your ratty guy, First and foremost, your vet does not sound too rat knowledgeable. There is no way your rat can get the necessary dose of Baytril from his water. When rats have upper respiratory infections, which is what yours sounds like, they quit drinking first, then stop eating.

Your rat needs a Baytril/doxicyclen compound, given twice a day by mouth. Baytril alone is not going to be strong enough.

You will need to get the rat hydrated quickly, ask your vet to give him sub-Q fluids, which is injecting saline solution under the skin, and show you how, because he will need this done at least once a day. He needs this ASAP, as in yesterday. Rats can only live 36-48 hours with out water and food, and it sounds like your guy is almost at that by how much weight he has lost. Also pick up a premium wet puppy food, such as Nutro Max brand, you can find it at a pet store, not walmart. It has the highest nutrient/protein on the market. Mix that with a little bit of baby food dry cereal in to a thin paste. You may need to put it on a spoon and let him eat it that way. This will help him regain strength. Also, try giving him sugar water with a syringe to help hydrate him along with the sub-Q fluids. Rats do not die from upper respiratory infections, they die from dehydration.

What it sounds like happened to your rat is that he caught a cold, and it progressed rapidly in to pneumonia. Rats are susceptible to the human cold and strep virus, and both will progress into pneumonia within two to three days if left untreated. Don't feel bad, it is really hard to tell a rat is sick until it is really progressed. Their natural survival instincts are to hide illness. Even I, with all my rattie experience, have a difficult time telling when my ratties are sick.

Please, please, please, do these things for your rat today. You have a really good chance of getting him past this.

As for the fungal infection or lung tumors, that is least likely, as this sounds like it went from bad to worse extremely fast. And when it comes to rats, vets ALWAYS say it is tumors.

I hope I have helped you. If you have any more questions, please ask. I usually get answers out in several hours.

Good luck to you, and your rattie. I really hope he pulls through!
Becky

Answer
Wow, now I REALLY think it is an upper respiratory infection, as they are very contagious rat to rat. i am glad to hear you are going to the vet very soon.

Having one sick rat is very upsetting, but when you have the second one ill too, that is scary and a lot of work.

Let me know what the vet says, and if you have any more questions, please ask.

Oh, I forgot. You can also get Azithromycin for them instead of the Baytril. It works much faster, and tastes good, so it is easier to give. It is the same thing your Dr. would give you for a viral infection, but called a Z-pack. It is erythromycin, but stronger.

Good luck!!
Becky