Bloating

Question
My rat was diagnosed with a lung tumor (by a vet who did a chest x-ray). She  got progressively skinnier and is constantly short of breath. That diagnosis was made 6 days ago. Since then, she has had her ups and downs and mostly just sits on my lap and breathes heavily, occasionally she will want to play or run around. She still eats and drinks water. To make her more comfortable I have been giving her Metacam for the past 3 days. She has put on some weight since I have been feeding her fattening things because she would not eat her rat food and was becoming extremely boney. However, tonight she suddenly became very bloated and she has been more lethargic than usual. She is still eating warm peas and corn but has not had a poop for almost 12 hours. Do you know what could be causing the bloating and how I can make her more comfortable at this time? I want her to die naturally when it is her time, but I want to also make sure she is not suffering. At what point do you recommend that an animal be "put to sleep"

Thank you very much for you time.

Answer
Hi Amanda

It sounds like now is the time to put her down. From what it sounds like, her lungs are filling up with fluids which will cause the bloating. She will drown in her own fluids and suffocate which is not a real pleasant experience I am sure.  The vet should have given her lasix to prevent this.  I may be wrong, but from what you describe including her lethargy and heaving breathing, it does sound like she is having a really hard time.

My heart goes out to you and your little rat.