bettie_x
Extreme Fanatic Posts: 1570 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 27/8/2002 at 10:23 PM |
Hey guys.
I´m very worried. I got back from the vet today with all three ratties in
tact (thank goodness), but two of the three are gravely ill.
Nico has a horrible skin condition. I had already ruled out parasites
because she´s got dark fur and I could not see any, and the mother rat had
no skin symptoms. She´s always had itchy skin, and I´ve done a number of
things such as change the type of shavings I use for bedding, adding MORE
fresh food to their diet, and making sure their cage is always clean and
cool and that they have fresh water. It´s never been this bad. I cleaned
out their cage last week and she was positively COVERED in scabs and
sores...soo miserable my poor baby! I immediately called a vet and made
the soonest possible appointment, which was four days later (today,
tuesday).
My other little girl, lucy....*sigh* she had just recovered from
pnemonia...she had a long recovery, it was really bad. I thought she was
finally better, she was not goobery and dying and sneezing, got her
appetite back and all that.
BOTH of them don´t really like to come out to play, so I pet them and play
with them inside their large cage when we´re up at the same time.
They usually hide a lot, as rats do, so I don´t see them all the time,
sometimes they ONLY come out to eat and such.
I also noticed when I was cleaning out the cage and they were out in the
light, that lucy was SKINNY. VERY skinny. Dangerously skinny. I called
the vet AGAIN and had her put on my appointment for today, hoping against
all that they would both make it for the four days I had to wait.
The odd thing about this is that the mother rat is not sick, her skin is
fine, she´s fat and happy and sociable, as usual. I took her to be looked
at as well in case she had symptoms I couldn´t see..but the vet said she´s
fine. I also took her so she could see a comparison, that she´s healthy
and happy, that I"m not some horrid animal neglector or abuser or totally
incompetent.
Soooo my appointment was today...and I really thought that I would only
come home with nico and poppy...I thought for sure lucy would have to be
put down and I cried practically through the whole visit which made me feel
like an idiot, but the vet understood and was a really really nice and
compassionate lady.
LUCKILY she has some hope, but what the vet told me wasn´t very
encouraging. She was really worried about lucy and the fact that the
weight loss came right after a bad round of pnemonia.
Little did I know, that pnemonia can wreak havoc on other organs if it´s
severe enough, especially the kidneys. The vet figures that the infection
went to her kidneys and stayed there...and that is what is wrong with her.
Her kidneys are trashed and failing. I was given antibiotics for both, and
nico was given a cortizone shot for her skin.
The only thing I can do for my poor little lucy is give her the antibiotics
and a low protein diet, as proteins are hard on her kidneys and could spell
out her end for her, causing them to ultimately fail.
Nico´s condition could be a food allergy or an allergy to the bedding she´s
in, tho it´s aspen, and has no oils or scents...I´m going to buy that ink
free paper pulp...as neutral as possible from now on.
Plus I have to change their diet, as nico´s allergy could be to food, and
lucy has to have as low a protein diet as possible..which is where I´m
having a problem. I can give them fresh fruit and veggies, but they NEED
grains...I know I have to cut out corn, as it is HIGH in complex proteins.
Also most nuts...no more peanuts or pistachios or sunflower seeds for a
while...they love those
I know I can give them rice, THE most hypoallergenic food stuff out there,
and I am probably going to go find some bags of dehydrated veggies and make
my own rat food mix for them in addition to the fresh food they already
get.
Does anyone know of anything that would be really good for them and lucy´s
kidneys? I´m pretty well grounded on what they can and can´t have now, but
anything would be of help.
Lucy´s life depends on it.
I´m very very very worried about her...she doesn´t look good, and tho she´s
at the moment climbing the sides of the cage and being active (the first
time in a week), she´s still not grooming herself and is deathly thin.
My worst fear is that they´ve both been born with an autoimmune
deficiency...which could be why they get sick so often, and nico´s and
lucy´s skin is so cruddy while poppy´s is fine. Why they both got pnemonia
so bad, while poppy recovered within a couple days. If they have severely
poor immune systems, their days are numbered
I´m willing to do anything I can to keep them healthy, but it´s a rather
dire thought.
Let me know if you have any input, and thanks in advance...
bettie with the poor sick ratties
:cry: ____________________ Trapped in time. Surrounded by evil. Low on gas. |
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bettie_x
Extreme Fanatic Posts: 1570 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 16/8/2004 at 11:17 AM |
The "wierdo" look doesn't bother me, it's the look that says "you spent 150
bucks on a 3 dollar animal with a life expectancy of 3 years?" THATpisses
me off. Even tho two of the three rats I have right now don't like me
(they've always been nervous jumpy little suckers. For some reason the
only reliable "love" rats for me are curlies) I still love them, and they
still play with me if I keep my hand in the cage, and I'd be crushed if
anything happened to them. The two hardest rattie deaths have been poppy
(my first rat, the "suprise!! I had babies while you slept!! rat) who I had
to have put to sleep, and Lulu. They were both curlies and some of the
biggest love mongers on the planet. Lulu and Poppy were big on kisses,
like, grab your face or ear or thumb and kiss the hell out of it. Those
girls were the sweetest and went everywhere with me. I'm training Lilly to
be more comfortable just hanging out and about, but Darla and Alice aren't
into it. I need a ride along rat again ____________________ Trapped in time. Surrounded by evil. Low on gas. |
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DeathFromLife
Occasional Poster Posts: 18 Registered: 9/8/2004 Status: Offline
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posted on 16/8/2004 at 09:36 AM |
Bettie...
i'm sure you know this already, becuse it seems to me you are above
people's oppinions and such... but i will say it anyways. you aren't crazy
for spending that much money on a rat, no matter what anybody says. your
rats obviously mean a lot to you... and when something means that much to
you... it's not really that big of a deal to spend a lot of money on
them... especially to save their life. i mean, there isn't really any
difference between you spending $130 on your rat then some guy spending
$130 on a ring for his girl friend. i mean... there is no difference
really. it's just that somehow human life is valued more than animal
life... for some unkown reason. personally, i think animals are better than
most people anyways. but back to what i was saying, you aren't crazy... so
disregard the people's sketch looks. they wouldn't understand you because
they fail to put things into perspective.
however... about your rats. i personally don't really know what to do. my
advice would be just to listen to the people that posted advice already.
and i hope everything works out fine in the end... because i know that its
very difficult to operate on small animals.
my best friend has a rat and she is very attatched to it... and it gets
sick off and on and she gets really upset and would be sad when it dies.
and she too has had a lot of rats, so i know what you are going through
after seeing the pain in my friends eyes. that's not a good thing to watch.
so i wish you the best of luck. and of course, the best of luck to your
rats as well. ____________________ Take your own life... Stab it with a knife! |
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bettie_x
Extreme Fanatic Posts: 1570 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 16/8/2004 at 08:57 AM |
It always broke my heart to watch the others spend the few days after a
death of their friend endlessly searching the cage for them Spend lots of extra
time with him, and he'll feel better soon. ____________________ Trapped in time. Surrounded by evil. Low on gas. |
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Starlight
Extreme Fanatic Posts: 618 Registered: 27/9/2002 Status: Offline
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posted on 15/8/2004 at 12:31 AM |
Special little critters find special little niches in your heart. I'm sorry
for your loss. ____________________ "When choosing between two evils, I always like to try the one I've never
tried before." ~Mae West
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feralucce
Extreme Fanatic Posts: 1810 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 14/8/2004 at 10:40 PM |
well... socrates(his only litter mate that I have) has been with my all
day... he WON'T get in the cage... *sigh* I dunno how I feel ____________________ The earth turns on a tilted axis - just doing the best it can.
Hohenheim of Light~Full Metal Alchemist |
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bettie_x
Extreme Fanatic Posts: 1570 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 14/8/2004 at 09:09 PM |
I'm sorry. I do understand it, it's always hard. Even with 23, losing one
would be terrible. I bawled every single time I lost one. I've spent $150
on a vet visit for one once to save her life, and people thought I was
crazy, but $150 and some extra care ensured I had one more whiskery face
waiting for me to come home at the end of the day. Well socialized rats
LOVE their caretakers, even forsaking company of other rats for a ride in a
sweatshirt
How could you put a price on that kind of love? ____________________ Trapped in time. Surrounded by evil. Low on gas. |
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feralucce
Extreme Fanatic Posts: 1810 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 14/8/2004 at 09:56 AM |
August 13th, 2004 is a day I wil strive to forget... My smeegle died
yesterday... he was a pretty little blue... someone said to me "you have 23
rats, how can the dedath of one hit you this hard?" I dunno, just wanted to
share it... ____________________ The earth turns on a tilted axis - just doing the best it can.
Hohenheim of Light~Full Metal Alchemist |
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feralucce
Extreme Fanatic Posts: 1810 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 14/3/2004 at 10:13 PM |
I feel like an ass... just missed the one post... offers a hug... I feel
for you... ____________________ The earth turns on a tilted axis - just doing the best it can.
Hohenheim of Light~Full Metal Alchemist |
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feralucce
Extreme Fanatic Posts: 1810 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 14/3/2004 at 07:04 PM |
OK... I have not read all the replies but I have lots experience with rats.
I run the rat rescue and adoption in columbia.
Betty... for the one with the skin condition, there are a couple rodent
condition that results in dryness very close to psoriasis in humans... is
the skin scaly and silvery underneath? I recommend no matter what the
answer, pick up some FERRET shampoo, moisterising... because in many
situations, they may have been just getting dry and itchy... make sure they
are no where near a heating duct... also try putting a humidifyer near the
cage...
Now... I have an idea that may not be pleasant to hear... but with the dual
symptoms... there may be food competition. Even if they are sociable all
the other times, tehy can be fighting over food. The skinny one may not be
getting enough food, and fighting the other one... I recommend separating
them and seeing if that helps
Another problem can be TOO MUCH VITAMIN a... it causes problems in rodents
and mustelids... causing dry skin and loss of hair... try giving them more
oily seeds as well, pehaps sunflower, etc. Dunno if any of it will help,
but I hope so.
My blinky avacado has problems with dryness... he's a hairless...
Feral
[Edited on 3/15/2004 by feralucce] ____________________ The earth turns on a tilted axis - just doing the best it can.
/>
Hohenheim of Light~Full Metal Alchemist |
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Anonymous
Posts: 116 Registered: 14/4/2002 Status: Offline
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posted on 14/3/2004 at 03:13 PM |
Bette..
I'm sorry about Lucy!
About feeding them.. you need to be careful about the human food. The best
thing to do is make the Lab Blocks someone previously mentioned about 80%
of their food.
I use mostly the lab blocks and put in about 1/4 cup of mixture of rat
food/fiesta and hard dog food. I put some of this in fresh everyday. At
night when I get home from work.. I give them a bowl of cut vegitables.
Mostly Broccoli and califlower.. and add a little carrots and snow peas
alternating. you can get the fresh stir fry bag at the grocery store that
is already precut with all four in it.. you just have to pull out what you
need and cut them up just a little more. Don't give cucumbers and citirus
fruits aren't good for them at all. I do give grapes and strawberries but
sparingly. Green vegatible can give them soft stools so also becareful. I
give yogart treats or a variety of other treats but only one a night and
it's when we have them out playing with them. Go surfing on the net.. put
in Ratties.. Breeders and you can follow most their links and check out
theri sites for some great information. |
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Ianthe99
Member Posts: 96 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 2/9/2002 at 08:23 PM |
Oh no! Poor rattie. I´m sorry Bettie. ____________________ She who dies with the most toys wins! |
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bettie_x
Extreme Fanatic Posts: 1570 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 2/9/2002 at 08:00 PM |
Thanks guys, I mean it. I just wasn´t prepared for it, and I even tho part
of me knew I was diluding myself thinking she was getting better, I wanted
to believe it, and I really did belive she would pull through, and when I
took her out to medicate her and she was so cold and tired I just KNEW and
it was so devestating, like I let her down.
She was very very sick, and as michael says, at least she finally feels
better once and for all.
Now under the cover of dark and rain so the maintenance guys and neighbors
won´t see, I gotta bury her.
____________________ Trapped in time. Surrounded by evil. Low on gas. |
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Shade
Fanatic Posts: 289 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 2/9/2002 at 09:41 AM |
Oh Bettie, I´m so sorry. *Hugs and love* ____________________ It is only through the lack of sex that humanity derives the need for an
all encompassing blind love. And in that moment of extreme horniness with
no relief in sight, in that moment can be found the birth of religion.
-Me |
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Monolycus
Fanatic Posts: 580 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 2/9/2002 at 08:53 AM |
I am so sorry, Bettie. *hug* :-( ____________________ "I believe that woman is planning to shoot me again." |
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Meranda_Jade
Fanatic Posts: 511 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 2/9/2002 at 06:28 AM |
*hugs* I´m so sorry bettie... ____________________
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Anonymous
Posts: 116 Registered: 14/4/2002 Status: Offline
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posted on 2/9/2002 at 01:23 AM |
Sorry for your loss. Alltough I don´t know you, and certainly not your
pets, you´ve painted us a vivid picture of them. I hope she didn´t have
too bad a time at the end. ____________________
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Mara
Member Posts: 161 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 1/9/2002 at 11:34 PM |
*hugs bettie* :cry: ____________________ Alot of people have good stories that take place at a lake with friends and
boats and noodle salad just not anyone here |
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bettie_x
Extreme Fanatic Posts: 1570 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 1/9/2002 at 10:16 PM |
Lucy died two hours ago.
____________________ Trapped in time. Surrounded by evil. Low on gas. |
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Ianthe99
Member Posts: 96 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 31/8/2002 at 10:48 PM |
Whoo hoo! Yay for some ratty recovery! ____________________ She who dies with the most toys wins! |
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