Help! I think my rat is sick!

[Walter]

Sounds great. I'll do it!

One more question though - what's your cage like? I personally think my cage is a fine size for 2 rats. With 3 it seems a bit small (to me, though I really don't think the rats ever minded), but whenever I'm home I let them run around the computer desk and crates that are nearby. If your cage happens to be bigger, I'd love to swap you for mine, or I'd even pay you what you paid for the cage - whichever is best! Let me take a picture so you can see what mine is and tell me what yours is like and we'll see what would be best for them.

[Jessica]

Hi Mikie

Sorry to hear about Gary.

Without wanting to put the dampers on your plans, I'd urge you to really think hard before taking on veggrls' rats as companions for Charlie, particularly as (if I remember rightly) Charlie is about two years old.

He'll be pretty set in his ways by now, whilst male rats of 5-6 months will be going through their teenage years, when they tend to get particularly boistrous and territorial. This is just about the worst age that you could try introducing them to another male rat - particularly one of Charlie's age.

You might find that Charlie is better off on his own, and just give him loads and loads of extra attention. If you really do want to get him new cage mates, then you should look at getting baby rats rather than teenagers. Even then you will have to be very careful with introductions (which can be long and drawn out with males, I can dig out some info if you like) but it is more likely to work than with half grown boys.

One of my rats (Roger - he's exactly like Charlie!) is currently pretty sick (he's the same age as your boys) with respiratory problems. We're using baytril (antibiotic) and theophylline (a bronchio dilator) at the moment. He's also had a couple of steroid shots over the past couple of weeks, and we're hoping to add a new antibiotic today (doxycycline).

You might want to try these if Charlie looks as if he's getting sick too. It's really really hard to clear up respiratory problems, but treatment can sometimes buy some extra time. If your rat seems to be having trouble breathing (gasping) you can also try steaming him as it sometimes brings a bit of relief. If you haven't got a bronchio dilator to give him at this stage a TINY bit of dark chocolate can sometimes help.

I was sorry to hear about your boys. This is the worst aspect of having rats. I'm a nervous wreck at the moment worrying about Roger.

[veggrl]

Jessica might be onto something. How about this,

I could bring them in their cage, and you can house everyone seperately until you see how they ge along. If need be they can have their own houses. I bought a two story ferret cage for $60. It was a really bad idea at first cause the little buggers could wiggle out. Now they are too big so its fine. They have a wheel, rolly ball, bathtub, hammock, food bowl, and water bottle. I give them towels and fabric scraps for bedding and a new cardboard box each week. If you think its OK, Id say $50 for everything. If thats too much, just say so. Im flexible.

[Walter]

Jessica, actually I got Charlie a year later than Patrick and Gary (both gone now.) Charlie's now alone in the cage, and I'd guess he's about 11 months old. TRUST me when I say he's definitely still his normal playful self. When he's out of the cage he's nonstop running around. The other two rats were NEVER this way. Even when they were young they were never very playful. Both remained intent to the end to just lay on top of each other in the corner. I really think that Frick and Frack might be what Charlie needs!

And I'd be willing to keep them in a different cage if need be!

veggrl, check out my photo and tell me how your cage compares to mine. If yours is bigger or seems more fun, than I'd rather keep it. If it's smaller or doesn't seem as "cool" for the rats, then I'll just keep mine. I also have a large glass aquarium I use as a temporary cage when one is sick, or if I get a new rat and have to keep them seperated for a night or two.

Any more thoughts guys? I want to make this work. :D

[veggrl]

I dont know. Its hard to say if the one I have is bigger. Hrrm. Bummer that my batteries on my camera are dead.

Tell you what, Ill put it in the trunk, you can take a look. If youd like it fine, if not, thats fine too, Im easy.

So Im off Friday all day. Would that work for you?

[Walter]

This is my schedule for the week-

M- 2:30-10:30 (Yeah, I'm at work. :D)
T- 2:00-10:00
W- Off
T- 2:30-10:30
F- 2:30-10:30
S- Off
S- 2:00-10:00

[carnelian]

mikie, i hadn't read this thread for a while, and started to tear up about Patrick, then read about Gary! I'm so, so sorry! :hug:

[Walter]

Thanks, carnelian!! :)

[veggrl]

This is my schedule for the week-

M- 2:30-10:30 (Yeah, I'm at work. :D)
T- 2:00-10:00
W- Off
T- 2:30-10:30
F- 2:30-10:30
S- Off
S- 2:00-10:00


OK, so is Saturday workable to you?

[Walter]

Definitely! I don't know of anything going on.

[veggrl]

Cool then, around 10? Just PM me with directions from I 10.

[Walter]

10 o'clock on Saturday. :D

I live just 2 blocks from Whole Foods, so if you want to go grocery shopping, you might want to consider bringing some bags or a cooler, or whatever you might need for the drive back!

[Avalon]

Oh. I forgot to check in and add this:

My rat Ophelia, who this thread was originally about has passed on. She was staying with a friend who had two other ratties, for company, and one morning my friend went in and found her sleeping the eternal sleep.

She says it was probably congenital- a heart defect, as Ophelia's mum died the same way, and just as young.

:cry:

[Walter]

I'm so sorry, Avalon!! :hug:

With this groups ratties' short life spans this thread is as much about sadness as it is about brags and cute pics!



veggrl, still planning on bringing Frick and Frack over? How's your dog doing?

[veggrl]

Yes. Gracie goes into the vet again on Monday for follow up. If all is OK, I can bring Frick and Frack up Saturday. I think you said youd be off , right?

[Walter]

I'm off Saturday, correct. :)

Little Charlie, the poor thing, is so alone! I can't wait until he gets some friends. I've been paying him extra attention, but most of the time he just lays in his hammock these days. Doesn't run around as much as he used to! He hasn't gained any weight though, so I'm sure he's curable. :)

It's so nice not having to clean the cage every 3 or 4 days though. :D

[Walter]

veggrl,

Do you still plan on coming tomorrow? If so, what time do you think you'll be here? And do you still have my address and phone number?

[Walter]

Ok so here's the little story of Charlie's meeting up with Frick and Frack!!

After the first day it was quite clear that Charlie wasn't going to be able to be thrown into the same cage with Frick and Frack, so I read about introducing new rats to each other on some rat websites and all of the information was great!

The first couple nights I swapped them inside each other's cages so they could learn each other's scents and the last day or two I've kep their cages close so that they could walk up to each other and smell each other but there was no chance of them hurting each other.

Also, when I let them play on neutral ground like the couch they're fine.

Now they can play together in the same cage and they're fine!! :D

Tonight, they're sleeping apart, but after tomorrow, I think we're golden!

Here's their first picture together. :)

[Walter]

Here's (http://www.mwparenteau.net/LJpics/20041217/IMG_4077.jpg) the latest picture of Charlie. He's so cute. :smitten:

[Corrina]

I just wanted to add, since I have 18 rats of my own, the seed mixes you buy from the petstore are crap, plain and simple. You are better going with mixed fruits and veggies, (no citrus for males), and whole grains like cheerios, chex, and puffed wheat. Also, nutro natural choice lite dog food can be given as well. Lab blocks are also a good choice, though I don't use them myself. Rats also need playmates. Sure, one may seem like a good idea, but they will be lonely.

[Corrina]

Oh, and Mikie, your rat Charlie kinda looks like my little Kahlua girl. She's only two months old right now and is an agouti berkshire.