[BananaJubilee]

My rat Bean had 2 lumps removed earlier this month. She seemed great after--recovered quickly and got back to her normal self. I hadn't noticed anything off, but when I took her to the vet 10 days later to get the stitches removed, the vet told me Bean was breathing very heavily. However, she said Bean's lungs sounded clear. She also told me they were going to put her on oxygen for a few minutes. I chalked it up to stress, as Bean has had to go to the vet a lot lately for all these check-ups and the surgery and it really stresses her out, and I hadn't seen any heavy breathing prior to that vet visit.

Prior to surgery, we went through a round of treatment for an upper respiratory infection and she was cleared for surgery. After surgery, she had two medications, one for any pain and one to prevent an infection. Her breathing is still heavy, though she has no wheezing, sneezing, no excess discharge, no squeaking...just heavy breathing. She's still been fairly active. It's also been fairly hot here so I've been trying to keep the rats cool as best I can in my apartment. My other rat seems perfectly fine throughout all of this.

I still have some leftover antibiotic from her past infection. Should I administer the rest of it to Bean and see if it improves, or just contact my vet again? Normally I would immediately call my vet, but I don't want to stress Bean out further if I don't have to and I'm going to be out of town in just a few days (the rats will have a full-time babysitter during that time).

 

[roratherat]

I’d give the vet a call and see if she or he will give you a more firm opinion. if it’s been hot there that could definitely be a cause of that, but to be safe I’d give them a call. If it’s been a case before and the lungs were clear and you’re still unsure I’d check with a second vet just to be safe.