can i do anything for my rats life

Question
Hi. I have two rats, Alphonse and Louis. They are around 1 year old. I have wrote to you before about a fat problem. Since you helped me, I put them on a diet, and they came back to normal weight! Thanks!
Now, I have another problem.
This morning, I found Louis with a very big amount of blood around his eyes and around his nose. When I picked him up, he was struggling to walk. He had no energy and kept falling. He was very rigid.
I think he had a stroke. Am I right?
I put him in a small cage (alone) and covered it with a blanket. I put chamomile in his water to lower his fever (if he has one)and i am hand feeding him. He seamed to have a little energy boost after i fed him. I didn't last for long.
Can I do anything else? Is there a remedy that could help? Does he have any chances of surviving?
Please, tell me all you know.
I love my rats and it would break my heart, and Alphonse's to continue without Lou.

Answer
I am so sorry your rat is sick.  The red stuff is not blood, but instead it is porphyrin.  Check my website to see the photos and read up about it.

http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/bloodynoseandeyes.htm

However, your rat really truly needs antibiotics and this means a vet. I doubt it was a stroke. They become lethargic when they  have pneumonia even if they are not congested etc...

You need to get him to the vet right away or he may pass away.