My Two Babies

Question
I got 2 white rats in Sept of 07 for my birthday. Bambi and Flower. When Bambie was a few months old she developed a tumor. I had it removed and all seemed well. Well the last 3 months with both of them had been horrible. I have had them to the vet at least once a week. They can't breath right. The vet has given them baytril, doxy, and also steroid shots. Bambi had a horrible time yesterday. Overnight she worsened. I took her to the vet she was filled with fluid and was cold and pale. They gave her a steroid shot. Well tonight while I was holding her I noticed a lump under her left arm. I don't recall feeling it before. She looks like she is getting fatter as the night goes on. I know this sounds silly but could she be filling up with fluids that fast? They are getting sicker it seems. I know I will have a desision to make and it is tearing me up. I love them so. I litter trained them, the come up on my shoulder with the "up" command, they will also bring me a small cloth ball when we play. I have spent much time with them. If I have to put one down, what will happen with the remaining? Will she get lonely and die to? I am so mixed up. I hope you can help with these questions.
Thank you,
Judi

Answer
Judy, your rat is in congestive heart failure and also has pneumonia and needs lasix right away to stop the fluid. Steroids wont do anything for the fluids!!!! She also needs albuterol and stronger antibiotics. She needs to have these medications given to her via a nebulizer to get them into her lungs faster. She needs                                                                       put in the hospital for a few days to get her well. She is too young for this and it should not be happening when there are so many treatments out there that she is not getting!!
Please go private next follow up and let me know the vet you see so I know if he or she is truly an exotic specialist because this matters greatly in the way they are treated.

As for another cagemate, I strongly suggest one because if they are that attached to each other, the other will mourn the loss of their cagemate and stress out. Stress weakens the immune system and the rat may also become ill. This is when we say they died from heartbreak if they pass on from their illness but its really because they stressed so much it caused them to become sick.  However, I am hoping to get her to see  another vet ASAP so you dont have to worry about this for a long time!!