Peanut is packing her bags...

[Desert Arabian]

I think Peanut is trying to tell me she's ready to take a trip to Rattie Heaven and visit her mom, Aunt Oreo, and Cousin Punkin. I can't even being to tell you how sad I am. She is the oldest rat I have, and she and I have been through a lot. She is the best friend and pet I have ever owned, and to think of her leaving me is killing me.

I started to notice her acting odd on Friday. She started breathing through her mouth really hard, and it sounded really mucusy (sp). She did that about two times. On Saturday and Sunday she was just breathing really hard. You can't hear it, but you can see her sides heaving rapidly. So, to help her clear her lungs I gave her a good steaming last night- I took a really long hot shower to steam up the room real good for her. Today, I just got home from school and she is doing the opened-mouth breathing with the mucusy(sp?) sound. I also noticed she has a slight case of rice crispies. This is exactly what her mother went through, except she lost A LOT of weight.

Geeze, I know I sound kind of selfish saying I don't want her to leave..but it's true. She's my baby. She's my favorite (I know I shouldn't have one), and wherever I go- she goes. She's my little buddy.

I hate seeing her like this, but I refuse to take her to the vets office to be put to sleep*. I had to put two of my rats to sleep, and it was the most horrible experience ever. Peanut's mom passed away peacefully in a familiar place, in my arms- not by a needle prick in an odd smelly place. If she shows signs of suffering, then I might concider it, but for now I don't see any obvious signs of suffering.

I wish they had a rat loss support group here in town, I'll need one when she takes her trip.

Peanut, I hope you have a safe trip, I love you, and will always love you. Don't stick around and suffer just so you can see your mama, if you have to go- go, I understand. You have your real mama, aunt, and cousin up there waiting for you, so don't worry, you won't be alone. I'll be up there someday too. I love you.

I had to make this thread before it was too late, I know the time is near. Thanks for reading. Prayers/support will be greatly appreciated.

Here is a picture of mama's little tater tot (yes, I have weird nicknames for them, lol):
http://members.aol.com/OrliBloom177/bdayp.jpg

*added that in, I forgot to type that part, oops.

[zippy-kat]

Dearest Peanut,

If it's your time to leave for the rainbow bridge, I wish you a speedy journey. Though it's breaking your momma's heart (and grandmomma's too, I suspect) you rest assured we're here for your momma (and grandmomma) if she (they) need us.

Thanks, Peanut, for blessing your mommy with your love and friendship. And thank you YLL, for sharing your little one with us.

{{huggs}}
Tonya

[PayItForward]

I don't know what to say.

I'm thinking of you both.

[RockyRoad]

Oh YLL, I am so sorry about Peanut. It sounds like the two of you have had so many good times together. She is such a cutie too.

When it is her time to go, at least she will be in her home, a nice place she knows. I bet she'll like that. I hope she has lots of fun in rattie heaven with her rattie-family.

Take care, prayers are on the way.

{{{Hugs}}}

[slick]

Peanut: It's OK for you to leave your Mommy when the time comes. She will be sad to see you go but will be OK in time. We know you two loved each other very much and you have been blessed with each other. Safe Trip to the RB Peanut. No more pain or suffering for you.

Hugs and prayers on the way to you YellowLabLover.

[luckies4me]

Poor you and poor Peanut. Could it just be a case of Myco and something can be treated with antibiotics? Maybe the vet can help, not to put her to sleep but to see if there is something that can help her? Maybe it's not her time to go, and she just needs a little help right now to fight off something. I have a rat here Bandit who does this about every two months and Baytril clears him up fast. Don't give up on her too quick, there could still be a little yogie begger inside of her yet! ;)


Whatever you decide I am sure she would agree with. I know it's hard to lose a ratty, especially when you have had them since they were babies. :( Take care and I hope you feel better soon. If it is meant to be it will happen, and if not she will stay with you and give you more licks and cuddles. :)

[Desert Arabian]

Thanks everyone, I greatly appriecatiate it!

Hmmm....this is odd. It's kind of making me nuts in a way. Right after I got done with making this thread, I went over to the cage to see how she was doing. The minute she saw me she was really happy and zippy, and even jumped down from her hammock without me helping her. So, I took her on the couch to do some mama-daughter bonding, and she ate a little piece of my peanut butter bread, and curled up under the blanket next to me feet. She was still breathing pretty heavy though. Too bad I can't speak "rat", so we could communitcate better with each other. I'm stummped. It makes me happy to know she still has a little spunk in her!! :)

Luckies, I am thinking about taking her to the vet just in case she is sick, I'll have to ask my mom, she just got home this minute. It's just that since she is fairly old, that is the first thing I thought of, especially since the symptoms were the same as her mama's when she passed away.

[luckies4me]

YAY! :D Hurray for Peanut, I knew she wasn't ready....she still has some time here on earth. Perhaps you should take her to the vets for some antibiotics? Keep us posted on her condition. How old is she anyhow?

[luckies4me]

Originally posted by YellowLabLover


Luckies, I am thinking about taking her to the vet just in case she is sick, I'll have to ask my mom, she just got home this minute. It's just that since she is fairly old, that is the first thing I thought of, especially since the symptoms were the same as her mama's when she passed away.

LOL Guess you were typing this before I read and you were finished. hehe :p I hope she gets better soon. :)

[Desert Arabian]

To tell the the truth I have been giving her Baytril since Saturday to see if that would clear her up a bit. Is that bad? Should I keep it up, or do you recommed some other medicine? She was born on August 24, 2001.

What do you think this could be then, illness wise, if it is not in fact getting ready to pack her bags?

[luckies4me]

Well she is in respiratory distress, but there is no way to tell which antibiotics would work best. It just seems that most of us try the Baytril first, but it could be a totally different thing like a bacterial infection as well. Ratties are just too susceptable to things. *sigh* If she gets really bad there is a combination shot. It has saved lots of ratties. :) So she's almost two years old, she could have a while to go. But it's up to you, you know her best. I would say give it a try and see what the meds do and if she is not showing any improvement in a week or so then it is probably her time to go to RB. How much Baytril are you giving her?



I know this sounds funny, but do you have any chocolate? ;)

[jenluckenbach]

I sure hope Peanut can pull through, but if she can't and it is her time to go then have peace in the fact that she had the best life a rat could have had (because you love her so much) and also know that you are a better person because you knew her.

[Desert Arabian]

I am giving her .1 ML, which was prescribed by the vet when she has pnemounia. I hope that's not too much.

[popcornbird]

Sorry to hear Peanut isn't feeling well. :( Please don't give up just yet. Maybe she'll pull through. Maybe she has another year with you. :) Good luck, and I hope Peanut will pull through just fine. Get well soon Peanut Butter! :D

[luckies4me]

Originally posted by YellowLabLover
I am giving her .1 ML, which was prescribed by the vet when she has pnemounia. I hope that's not too much.


That's a very small amount....... I usually give around .25 cc's. But he's your vet so that is what he feels comfortable prescribing.

[Desert Arabian]

Ok...there's good news. We just scheduled a vet appointment for tomorrow to be checked out. Hopefully we can find out what's going on. :) :)

Luckies, how much chocolate should I give her?

[luckies4me]

Yay, I hope all goes well at the vets! :D Just a note though, that .1 is a good amount, not like it won't work but I have seen better results with a higher doses. It's probably because my boys weigh so much and Bandit is a big fatty so he needs more meds. He's building up an immunity to the meds so I don't know what we are going to do with him after the Baytril doesn't work anymore. :(

[luckies4me]

Oh about a pinches worth. :)

[Desert Arabian]

ok, I will try that.

[Aspen and Misty]

O I hope your dear sweet baby is going to be ok.

Peanut- I hope you do what is best fro you. If it is time for you to go then please do. Rember that your mother will always love you and you will always be her fav. rattie. We loved hearing about you. You were such a sweetie and how cute you are.

Ash :(

[All Creatures Great And Small]

Well, we just got back from the vet appointment, and Peanut may have a little more time left. They wanted to do some $92.00 x-rays to tell for certain whether it's pneumonia or heart failure, but I didn't think that would be cost efficient. If it IS pneumonia, the antibiotics will work, and if not, then it's her time to go. We'll find out in a week what the x-rays would have showed. If she starts showing signs of really suffering, we will certainly do what we can to relieve her. No harm done by giving her the antibiotics in the meantime. Actually what we were giving her before this was Tribrissen; the vet has now prescribed the Baytril at .1 ml every 12 hours. So we'll see how it goes; that's all we can do until they invent a medication to reverse aging in ratties :( .

(Darn little rodents - so adorable but they don't last long!)

[jenluckenbach]

Best of luck with Peanut, and I agree with the x-ray logic.

[luckies4me]

Yes I too agree. You will find out one way or the other. I hope she feels better soon.

[shais_mom]

I will keep you in my thoughts YLL!

[wolf_Q]

I hope cute little Peanut will be ok....keep us updated on her condition! I will be thinking of you both!!