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Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / December 2005my old rat
hi my rat Tilly is now almost 3 and shes gotten slightly unsteady on her feet, i think its just because of her age but i just dont know when it becomes unfair to keep her going. The last thing i want is for her to be suffering anymore than she has to but she has lost so much weight with her old age and her breathings not too good and now the insteadiness just makes me realise that she really is coming closer to the end. I dont get her out anymore cos when i do it starts her bad breathing up, so what kind of a life is this for her, plus her sister was put down 5 months ago. My litle sister says shes fine cos she eats anything u give her still but thats not nessecarily the point is it? I guess im just getting all this off my chest since its something that chews me up every single day.. If she dies naturally and suffers i couldnt live with myself > hi my rat Tilly is now almost 3 and shes gotten slightly unsteady on > her feet, i think its just because of her age but i just dont know when [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > chews me up every single day.. If she dies naturally and suffers i > couldnt live with myself I'm going through the same thing right now. I have one rat left and he will be three in a few months - his eyesight seems to be virtually non-existent and he is now dragging his back legs when he walks. I believe due to his age he has the onset of rear end paralysis. However he is still enjoying his food - he seems to eat just as much as he ever did and despite having little use of his back legs still manages to get around ok, although it's hard for me to watch him. I really do believe he still has quality of life though - he still has a waddle around when I let him out of the cage, and comes over to bite our toes :o) The way he still enjoys his food too and comes out of his box for treats everytime he hears rustling or smells food, tells me he hasn't reached the point yet where I would consider euthanasia. It is obvious you love your rat very much and take good care of her, I'm sure you'll have that gut instinct that tells you when the time has come that she needs to be helped on her way by the vet as she no longer has quality of life. You could modify the cage to help her out if she is finding it difficult getting around. Make sure her water and food is on the same level as where she sleeps so she doesn't have to go far. Has she been on any antibiotics recently for her breathing problems? Tracey I did read somewhere thet when the ratties legs go it can bring on onset of fitting. I am sure they said it was due to the nerve damage on the legs that eventually travels to the brain when Ifind it I will post it to you. My Wilf was like that he did have a quality of life up to a point as when he came out of the fitting he was hungry and thirsty and as aggressive as ever. I would just watch what she is like and check on her fitting and how many and how she is afterwards. I really do sympathise it is hard to watch but you will know when the time has come. Hugs  SignatureJackie, Badger, Jorja and Texas. R.I.P - Squirrel, Alfie, Reggie, Rufus, Berkley, Stuart, Teddy, Ronnie and Ranger,Rebel,. > >> hi my rat Tilly is now almost 3 and shes gotten slightly unsteady on [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > > Tracey shes not on any meds at the moment, she was on batryl (sp?) for her breathing but its not making any difference anymore.. Personally i have to say i think her time has come but when it comes to making the decision and making the appointment i can never do it It is hard,I have just had that decision my wonderful little soldier and my favourite rat Rebel had Pneumonia and had been on meds for about a month but I think they must get imune to it. He got really out of breath and was all cuddly and his little eyes showed he wasn't happy with life and my heart sunk because I knew it would have to be done. I am lucky with my vet and she is great. But if the time has come,then take a deep breath and go. I loved my little Rebel that much I had a sick feeling in my stomach (that still hasn;t gone) when she called me in the room. And yes you do feel very guilty about that final journey but you have to be brave as it is not nice to see them struggle to breath. I have every symapthy for you, but you will know when the time is right. hugs SignatureJackie, Badger, Jorja and Texas. R.I.P - Squirrel, Alfie, Reggie, Rufus, Berkley, Stuart, Teddy, Ronnie and Ranger,Rebel,. > shes not on any meds at the moment, she was on batryl (sp?) for her > breathing but its not making any difference anymore.. Personally i have > to say i think her time has come but when it comes to making the > decision and making the appointment i can never do it yeah i went through that back in july with tilly's sister, i started crying before i even got into the vets room, lump in my throat was so big that it hurt, but i knew it was the kindest thing. with it being christmas i dont know whether to make an appointment before sunday or after Yeh a difficult one, but it maybe better sooner rather than later. It could be difficult for you if she takes a turn for the worst over Christmas. Whatever you decide it will be in her best interest. Take Care Let us know. SignatureJackie, Badger, Jorja and Texas. R.I.P - Squirrel, Alfie, Reggie, Rufus, Berkley, Stuart, Teddy, Ronnie and Ranger,Rebel,. > yeah i went through that back in july with tilly's sister, i started > crying before i even got into the vets room, lump in my throat was so > big that it hurt, but i knew it was the kindest thing. with it being > christmas i dont know whether to make an appointment before sunday or > after > shes not on any meds at the moment, she was on batryl (sp?) for her > breathing but its not making any difference anymore.. Personally i have > to say i think her time has come but when it comes to making the > decision and making the appointment i can never do it I know what you mean, it's really difficult having to actually make that final decision to let them go, but I think you know in your heart her time has now come and what has to be done. I would try and get her to the vets before Christmas as she may take a turn for the worse over the holiday period. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time, I went through the same thing a few weeks ago. It's never easy having them put to sleep but is the best and most loving thing you can do for them when they are suffering. Tracey |
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