Choking Rat

Question
QUESTION: I think my rat is choking. He regurgitated earlier, and has been wheezing and hacking for a few hours. He has saliva running down his face, and I know there's a move I can do, I believe. Could you explain it to me? Or anything that may help? The vet is closed today, and I'm really worried.

ANSWER: Is he better now?  The move is called the rat fling, and it is DANGEROUS and should only be used if the rat cannot breathe or stops breathing.  Let me know if he is better...usually they pass it but its best to leave them alone as long as he is breathing on his own.  There should be an ER open somewhere, even if its an hour from you. Where in Ohio are you located?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I had him put down yesterday morning. I figured he may take care of it himself, but he was the same when I woke up, except his feet and bottom lip had turned blue. He was really old, so I think it was just his time.

Thank you so much for your time and helpful suggestions. I really appreciate it.

ANSWER: Ok that makes sense now. I did not know how old he was for starters, and the cyanosis (blue extremeties) tells me that he was hypoxic.  He probably had lung fluid that you saw coming from his little mouth, which indicates either lungs or heart failure.  You made the right decision. I am sorry you lost him.  

Choking rats usually extend their necks out several times and drool alot but they usually get over it, sometimes fast, sometimes within a few hours, but never will it take over night like that, which again leads me to think it was for sure a problem that would only cause him to suffer if the vet did want to even try to treat it. When they get to that point with fluids coming from their mouth etc.... some vets try to save the rat to no avail, it only leads to longer suffering and tons of money on a little rat that just wont make it.

Where in Ohio are you?  I am from NE Ohio originally but live in Charlotte NC now (for the past 12 years)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes, he was very old! Twice as old as most, I believe? I live in North East Ohio, too, between Aurora and Kent.

I figured it wasn't just choking. He was extending his neck, as well, but with all of the fluids from his eyes and nose, I thought it might be something else. The vet thought the same thing.

I'm doing better now that I'm not watching him suffer. I felt like I had to be there with him until he passed, but it looked like he could have held on for another day! I think putting him down was for the best.

Thank you again for your suggestions and time. It means the world to me to have someone confirm what actually happened to him, so I'll be a little more prepared if it happens with another rat.

Answer
Again I am sorry you lost him, but it does seem it was definitely related to either the heart (congestive heart failure) or pneumonia. Rats with pneumonia also have excess lung fluids.

As for Ohio, my son, who is 21, goes to Kent State. He decided to leave NC and go back to Ohio to go to Kent, why I dont know, because UNCC is a great school too, but Dad offered to buy him a car, too...black mail always gets you every time!!  He does miss NC and the weather here, and the fact we have NO SNOW as compared to Ohio.  I was born in Youngstown, Ohio and lived in the suburbs of Youngstown but left in the late 90s after my divorce. I raised my children here in the Charlotte area, my daughter graduated from UNCC and is an RN.  I do think my son will be back down here next year, he misses the friends he grew up with and never really adjusted to the cold Ohio winters even though he was born there, he left when he was only 5 so he doesnt remember how bad it can be.  I dont care to ever remember.  LOL!   

Anyhow, there are some good vets up there in that area, but not in Youngstown. You have to drive at least 30 minutes for a decent vet that knows how to treat rats.  
It is a small world for sure, though.  Take care and if you ever need anything concerning rats do not hesitate to ask.  My private email is sandyscrittercity@ yahoo.com