[OpheliaMillward]

Hi everyone):

I’m a new rat owner, i’ve never owned a pet before so naturally i’m a nervous anxious wreck
They both had the new home sniffles but they started leaking porphyrin this morning so i took them to the vets and they got them baytril. I also felt in my gut they weren’t well. They’re both super lethargic today and not themselves, i thought pepper was more mellow and calm than pickles but i think they’ve been ill for a week): They’re both still eating and grooming and drinking and climbing sometimes, but pepper is falling asleep everywhere she is and isn’t awake long at the moment, pickles is super energetic also but she’s tired right now too.
I’m super scared i waited too long):, and i’m sad that they’re in pain and struggling, i’m also SO anxious it isn’t gonna help and develop into something worse)::
Can anyone calm my anxieties with them and tell me the symptoms of their rats URI’s and how they got better
ALSO what is the easiest way to give them baytril??? They’re still only babies and have only been here a week and they’re super skittish!!! Their heart rates were super fast in my hand and we struggled so hard to give them the antibiotics. They did take it and groom off what was left but still it’s SO difficult there has to be an easier way

Thank you all!!
From an anxious rat mum

 

[SonicRat]

Signs of a URI are unkempt coat,hunched and miserable looking,visibly heaving sides,noisy breathing,eyes dull and half closed,lethargy,going of food and they will often hang out in the open rather than sheltering in their usual sleeping space.If the vet thinks they have an URI than they should be on 3 weeks of Baytril combined with doxycycline( ronaxan). The best way to administer it is to mix it on a dessert spoon with a little bit of Alpro chocolate dessert.The chocolate hides the bitterness of the Baytril and they will usually lick,it off the spoon or your finger.I hope they will both be ok.

 

[OpheliaMillward]

Signs of a URI are unkempt coat,hunched and miserable looking,visibly heaving sides,noisy breathing,eyes dull and half closed,lethargy,going of food and they will often hang out in the open rather than sheltering in their usual sleeping space.If the vet thinks they have an URI than they should be on 3 weeks of Baytril combined with doxycycline( ronaxan). The best way to administer it is to mix it on a dessert spoon with a little bit of Alpro chocolate dessert.The chocolate hides the bitterness of the Baytril and they will usually lick,it off the spoon or your finger.I hope they will both be ok.

They are both eating and grooming well, but their breathing is a bit clicky and they are sneezing out porphyrin. Pepper also had her eye sealed **** this morning. They’re both also super lethargic. Do you think it will be okay if i mix it with some melted dark chocolate??

 

[SonicRat]

I wouldn’t use pure chocolate as it can be toxic if they have too much.Other sweet things you could use would be yoghurt,honey jam or syrup

 

[Newtorats]

I have been lucky enough that my rats have not had anything wrong for the most part so I don’t have any experience however URI’s are something that you need to cure ASAP but one week shouldn’t be to long to cure. The idea that rats can smell fear is not completely incorrect. Rats can sense what we are feeling so if while you are giving them medicine try to stay calm. Talk to them in a gentle soothing voice. If you are super stressed or upset while giving them medicine then they will tell and get anxious too.