Rat could be dying

Question
QUESTION: I found our rat cold and still in her cage about an hour ago and have been trying to seek help online.  It's 9:00 pm and I cannot get a hold of a vet.  I don't know what to do...
She is breathing very slowing and I feel her heart still beating slow as well.  Could you please lead me to helping her or does this mean its to late.  She has moved a little since dropping little tiny drops of water in her mouth and seems to be swallowing the little drops.  I need advice on what to do. This is our first little rat and we love her so much...please help!!!!

ANSWER: I am so sorry....how old is she?

I found my boy this way just a few weeks ago. He had a stroke. He hung on but he was surely dying and I took him to the ER to help him go to sleep.  He was not moving at all and his feet were curled up as were his front paws.
What color are her limbs? Are her feet and forelimbs pink or blue to purple?  

My advice is to wrap her in a soft towel or blanket and hold her close to you to comfort her. She may pass in your arms. Is she twitching at all?

Where are you located? I may be able to find an ER vet for you but at this point it sounds pretty grim unless she is lacking oyxgen and can recover once she is put in oxygen which is why I asked what color her extremities were.



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

QUESTION: she is about a year old.  Her little legs & arms
are still pinkish.  Not purple.
She is twitching...
We are in Elk River, mn

Thanks for your concerned help.
Sandra Mcguiggan

ANSWER:    
This is what I found for an ER..it is $77 to put her to sleep plus another $50 for the visit.  To end her suffering its worth it but I think thats criminal to be honest.  They are about 30 mins from your area.  I just caled them. They do NOT treat rats but will put them to sleep. If you decide to go please let me know so I can explain exactly how the rat should be put to sleep so you can be sure they follow these instructions or any other way is inhumane.

ER Services
*  952-942-8272
* 7717 Flying Cloud Drive
* Eden Prairie, MN 55344


I believe your rat had a brain aneurysm or a stroke, although she is a bit young for stroke. I do not think she will make it through the night. Keep in mind without seeing her I cannot be 100% sure but from what you describe, this is probably what it is. Depending on what is wrong, she may not be in any pain but again its hard to say.

How is she now?

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

QUESTION: my son is holding her & I think she is gone....we are so sad:(
Her eyes are closed now.  Does this happen often to albino rats?  We got her
from our sons school & she has been such a super pet.  We will miss our
little 'snowball'.

Sincerely,
Sandra & son Chase Michael

Answer
No this doesnt happen to just white rats but it can happen to any rat although not real common.  My boy that I lost the same way you lost her was 3.5 years old and was a big giant black rat.

You need to be very sure she has passed. Sometimes they have a pulse that is hard to detect. Sad as it sounds, do not bury her until she has gone into rigomortis(she will become stiff) You can also take your fingers and flick her whiskers and even if they are comatose you may still see the whiskers flicker back.  I would still wait for her to stiffen first. She will not have an odor in that short of time, it will take a few days for that. I hate to sound morbid but just so you know these things. It sounds like she went very peacefully and she was comforted by those that love her and that is what matters most.

I am very sorry for your loss.