Honey got paralyzed :(

[luckies4me]

Ok I am finally updating this as I lost my internet connection for two days and was unable to let everyone know of Honey's progress/outcome. Yesterday we took her to the vet for an exam at 4:45. I was going to update as soon as we got back but we ended up having out internet disconnected due to having to upgrade something, blah blah blah. So I just got my connection back and it's 5:26 the next day.

We took Honey to see the vets at Cat Care Limited and like always, they were great! They just adore my rats and treat them so nice. Everyone comes over and tells me how sweet they are and always say things about their coat color and how pretty it is. Honey got so many head scratchies yesterday she bruxed almost the whole time at the vet. She was such a good girl, like always.

They did an exam and found that she has some sort of spinal trauma caused by falling on her back, in the lower part of her lumbar region just above her hips. She has lost ALL bladder control as well as cannot defecate on her own anymore. She was given a shot (and was such a good girl, only gave kisses during this!) of Dexamethasone to help with the swelling. Basically just a cortisone injection. She goes back next week for another. She didn't even try to bite, just licked. Oh what a sweet girl she is!

Her prognosis is OK. They think that with a little time and limiting her movement she will heal on her own and start to walk again. She can move her back legs and can feel deap pain (when you squeeze, she is in no pain right now) which is great. If you squeeze her feet she can pull her legs underneath her, she just can't walk.

So I am now her caretaker full time pretty much. I need to empty her bladder a few times a day as she cannot pee on her own. If I leave it full it will eventually leak out, but that's a good way to cause infection, so I have to squeeze her and empty it. She doesn't particuarly like being squeezed but she takes everything in stride and is happy when it's done. I also have to press and squeeze on her anus to get her poops to come out. They still form and make it to the exit, I just have to help them out all the way. She can get around good by dragging herself with her front paws too, but I have to limit her movement for awhile.

To ward off infection she has been prescribed Trimethoprim Sulfa three times a day. She of course takes her meds like a charm! I couldn't ask for a better, sweeter ratty. So hopefully one day she will be able to walk again and have her bladder control back. But until then, I must care for her. She can reach her bottle now by herself so that's good.

So please send more prayers that she can make a complete recovery! I did not want to euthanize her, and there was no reason to. I am glad I took her in for an exam before I made the decision. I feel SO much happier now that I got to keep my girl with me. I can't tell you how much I love this rat. Thanks to everyone for their support during this time, but I was NOT about to lose one of my babies again. I just couldn't take it.

Well, time to go empty a bladder.