ill rat-please advise

Question
Hi there!

I have a rat that is 2 years old. She was one of 3 females that lived together.
Last Friday, one of them appeared ill, so I took it to the vet. It ended up
having to be put to sleep because of a large abdominal tumor. I always feel
for mammary tumors in my rats, but this one was abdominal, large, and
inoperable. I should mention here that this set of rats are my "class pet" rats.
When I came into school Monday, one of the other ones appeared ill. She had

* head hanging over the platform of the cage
* labored breathing (sides going in and out rapidly)
*her feet feel cool, but not cold, with no bluish tinge
*she is preferring to eat yogurt and fruit right now, but was crunching on
some pasta this morning

Other than these 2 symptoms, she appeared fine. No red discharge from eyes
or nose. She is eating and drinking and moving about, and wants to come out
of the cage after I open it. I took her to the vet and they said it was either
cardiac or respiratory. They gave her an injection and said if it was cardiac she
would be better in 24 hours. They also said if it was respiratory it could take
about 3 days for her to get better. They prescribed Baytril and one other med
(starts with a "d") 2 times per day) Today she doesn't appear a lot better. She
is still having labored breathing, but no longer hangs her head over the ledge.
She doesn't look any worse, just not much better.

I would love any thoughts you might have!

Thanks,

Katie  

Answer
Have you checked out my website, Sandyscrittercity.com?  Please refer to my site and go to the page on rat ailments. There you will find an index and links to my pages on heart disease and also lung disease. Please go over both of them and refer to the symptoms as well.

Your vet probably gave the rat doxycyline but why would they say if it was her heart she would improve in 24 hrs? What was the injection? Was it lasix?