Over the last 2 nights my rat's consistent congestion issues has gotten worse. His breathing is a lot heavier now, he's acting a bit slower, and makes a weird... coughing noise? when I pick him up to cuddle him. I haven't seen him go on his top platforms, he's just been sitting on top of a box at the bottom of the cage. I brought his favourite bed down and he's lying in that right now.
I do plan on taking him to a vet but it's one out of town, as I don't trust the only rat vet in my area. He's told me to think about euthanasia before for just some really minor sniffles and I don't trust him at all. But I can't get him to the other vet for another 5 or 6 days and I need something I can do for him in the meantime. Also, my sister has some medicine from her rat's URI leftover that I can get from her in 3 days so I'll use that when I get it.
I have my humidifier in the area now in hopes that'll make it easier for him to breathe. I've heard that there are some teas that can help? That might be totally wrong though. Are there any special herbs or foods that are supposed to help respiratory infections, even in the slightest?
Thanks.
I do plan on taking him to a vet but it's one out of town, as I don't trust the only rat vet in my area. He's told me to think about euthanasia before for just some really minor sniffles and I don't trust him at all. But I can't get him to the other vet for another 5 or 6 days and I need something I can do for him in the meantime. Also, my sister has some medicine from her rat's URI leftover that I can get from her in 3 days so I'll use that when I get it.
I have my humidifier in the area now in hopes that'll make it easier for him to breathe. I've heard that there are some teas that can help? That might be totally wrong though. Are there any special herbs or foods that are supposed to help respiratory infections, even in the slightest?
Thanks.