[hydra]

i've called every emergency vet in the region and they lead me nowhere, they dont' take exotics or they give me a phone thats disconnected
my rat grace seems to be choking, shes got vomit around the mouth and is making gagging noises..i can't seem to open her mouth and i'm just really really scared...
if anyone can help me, i can give you my phone number or AIM me at hydra713

 

[lilspaz68]

Choking is very scary, but actually happens a lot.

Let her work it out, the gagging and retching is her trying to shift the item thats stuck.

They can take hours or just 1/2 an hour. Only if she's been choking for more than 5 hours should you run her to a vet. The only other thing to know is IF she stops breathing (very very rare in choke) you could perform the Ratty Fling (google it) to try to start her breathing again. DO NOT do this if she IS breathing as it could lodge the item and kill her.

 

[reachthestars]

Choking is actually quite common. The best thing you can do is let her work it out herself (which is heartbreaking, I know). Keep a close eye on her, and keep her in a quite comfortable spot.

 

[ddpelp]

http://www.ratinabox.com/ratablog/000498.html

Here is Debbie "The Rat Lady" Ducommun's description from the Rat Fan Club First Aid page:


Hold your rat firmly around the neck with one hand, and by the base of the tail with the other to hold her securely. Make sure there are no objects within an arm's length. Lift the rat overhead and bring her down in a rapid arc, so that at the end of the path she's tail up and head down. This can be repeated 3-4 times, then give the rat a rest, check her breathing, and see if anything is visible in the mouth. This is extremely effective in dislodging objects in the throat. However, do not use this procedure if your rat can breathe, or you might make it worse.

 

[Kimmiekins]

"The Fling" should only be done as a last resort and only if the rat stops breathing.

Most of the time, the rat will work it out itself.

How's she doing today?

 

[hydra]

hey everyone, thanks for all your replies.
I seriously thought she was going to pass on me, and I was really scared.
but you're right, she finally worked it out. I kept an eye out all night to make sure she was okay. After I fell asleep and woke up, she was walking around, eating, and playing with the toilet paper roll I put in there.
WHEW!
again thanks for everything...i really appreciate it
<3

 

[lilspaz68]

Choking is hard on the rat and the owner at the time its occuring. Most times the owner is the one who is more frazzled once its over. I stayed up all night once with my girl...she was fine in the morning, I was exhausted at work. :roll: