Tia has a tumour... (Sad Update)

[Miss Z]

She's worse. All of a sudden.

I don't know why I didn't think of this before, but I think the tumour has spread to her brain. The stiffness isn't artheritis, it's paralysis. It started in her tail, and it's steadily moving up her spinal column. She's been acting odd recently, like she's vacant, and been doing things that are unlike her, such as momentarily pausing and chattering to herself, bulging her eyes and wetting herself in her sleep. Only in the last few hours she's been so lethargic and she's keeping movement to an absolute minimum.

She still eats and drinks and as far as I'm aware is passing urine and faeces, but she can no longer hold her food in her front paws as her back paws are too weak to support her. Just an hour ago, she was eating something from her food bowl and suddenly started to choke as she had evidently eaten the last chunk in one gulp. It was one of the scariest moments of my life, for at least 3 minutes she lay gasping before I think she did manage to cough it back up and chew it. I can't let her live like this, what if that happens again when I'm not around?

She can barely turn herself in her bed to get comfy, I have to help her do so. It's no way for her to live, and she seems so far gone, I think nothing's really going to help her now. My mum will be getting her prescription of antibiotics tomorrow in the faint hope that they'll do some good, but somehow I doubt it. I have made my decision that if she is no better than this in 3-4 days, then I cannot continue her suffering any longer. It's not fair to Tia, and she comes first.

I think the end may be near.

[My Peanuts]

I'm so sorry Zara. I always say this, but one of the most wonderful things we can do for our pets is to end their suffering. Hang in there. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Tia.

Your PT family is here for you.

[Zippy]

Oh no
((((BIG HUGS)))))
Prayers and thoughts for you and Tia.

[Chilli]

I haven't been on much, and it breaks my heart to come back to see this.
Major (((((hugs)))) & positive vibes headed your way. You both will continue to be in my thoughts.
I'm hoping for all the best.

[Miss Z]

Sorry I didn't update sooner, I just wanted to keep monitoring Tia and making sure her condition was definitely stable before I posted this.

She seems better. Now, I'm not going to say miraculously better, because she is definitely not the rat she once was, but she's still trying her hardest to be Tia. I let her 'run' around my room each day just the same as always, although now it's more of an amble around my room. Yet, an amble is better than nothing. She still likes to sniff everything as she goes along, and shuffles over in my direction when I call her.

Her back legs aren't great. Her muscles in that area have vastly decreased in size and she can no longer get herself up to the next level in her cage. So, she just lives on the bottom part now. However, her cage is massive (it's intended to house about 4 rats), so it isn't like she's cramped or anything, and she gets at least 2 hours a day outside her cage. She sleeps a lot more than she used to, which is understandable, but she is still eating well and drinks pretty well too.

She's been on her medication and is taking it well, even though I think she's getting rather tired of having a syringe shoved in her mouth every day. She has two drops of Metacam on a treat as a painkiller and anti-inflammatory (for the mammary tumour, which is still walnut sized for the moment, and also may help with any pain she may experience in her legs) and 0.25ml of Baytril antibiotic to try and stem the tumour growth. I also give her 2-3ml of water in a syringe morning and night, just to make sure that she's definitely hydrated.

I'm still debating with myself whether she has a pituatary tumour or the paralysis is just due to old age. Sometimes I think the way she suddenly stops, stares and teeth chatters randomly are signs of senility, but then she doesn't seem to exhibit the posture associated with brain tumours. I won't rule it out, but I'm hoping that it's not the case and that the paralysis will be managable.

She isn't in the clear, but I think she's as good as she's going to get. I'll post some pics of her and the gerbils once I've posted this.

Thanks for all the thoughts and support.

[Alysser]

Zara, I know what you are going through. Sadly, as pets age so does their bodies. I am glad to hear Tia has slightly improved, hopefully it will continue. I love Tia and I hope she can keep getting better. She's a fighter for sure.

[moosmom]

Zara,

Tia will be in my thoughts and prayers. Let her now that her Winkie wants Tia to know that he loves and misses her very much and will be in his thoughts as well.

(((((((HUGS))))) to you my favorite PTer!

[My Peanuts]

Zara,

That's the best news that could have been hoped for. She is eating and drinking and that says a lot. More prayers on the way.

Diana

[Miss Z]

Well, her condition has worsened a little since the last update, but in all honesty, that had to be expected.

She seems a little paralysed in her front paws now, although not yet drastically so. She really has to flip those back paws in order to go forward, but still, she is making the attempt to move around. I cling onto this as a sign that she still wants to live.

She still eats and drinks, although now it's a little more complicated. I'm not sure whether she's getting some paralysis in her jaw, as she seems to have a little difficulty biting a piece off crunchy foods. I've checked her incisors and they seem to be in pretty good nick, considering that Tia has never been a chewer and has never had her teeth clipped in her life. I can't really get a good look into the back of her mouth, but as it's an actual biting issue, and not a chewing one, I don't suppose that's where the pain, if any, is coming from. Please correct me if I'm wrong, though, and I will have another look.

So, beause of this, I crush half of her food into smaller pieces for her, which she finds so much easier to eat. All the fresh food she receives now is soft, such as banana, pear, cheese, overripe strawberries, and she still enjoys her leftovers as she wolfed down some lasagna last night. She's lost her belly, but I don't think she's morbidly thin. As far as drinking goes, she seems to have on and off days. Three days ago, I didn't see her drink once. When I offered her some water cupped in my hand, she turned her nose up. The next day was the same, and I was getting rather desparate, increasing the water I give her by syringe to 4 ml 3 times a day. However, yesterday and today her drinking habits are back to normal, as I type she is drinking now.

The tumour is bigger. I don't think the antibiotics are helping much. It's now about the size of a rather squished ping pong ball.

The biggest dilemna I face is that I am going on holiday in exactly one week and will not be around to care for her. Tia, and the gerbils, are booked to stay with a woman who specialises in caring for small animals whilst their owners are away. Tia stayed with her last year, and the woman spoilt her rotten and said she was one of the best guests she'd ever had. I think this woman is somehow linked with an animal care association, but I can't remember exactly.

The thing is, Tia needs so much attention right now that I only feel that it's being done right if I do it myself. Just to name a few, she needs her meds once a day, water given to her by syringe if she appears not to drink, her food crushing, help with grooming, her muscles in her back legs flexing by hand to stop them seizing up, her back end cleaning as she often urinates on herself and cannot clean it all, her eyes sometimes need wiping too as she gets dust around them and cannot balance enough on her hind legs to clean them with her fores; all that on top of everything that needs to be done for a healthy rat. I know this woman wil care for her well, but can we honestly expect her to give up so much time to look after her?

And of course, the fear of her not being there when I return is eating me up. Tia pines fo me strongly when I go away, even when other members of my family are around. I'll be gone for two weeks with the rest of my family, and whilst she's sustained this before, she's ill this time. The thought that perhaps she's staying strong because I'm around her for at least 75% of the day is whirring constantly around my head. What if, when I've gone, she becomes depressed and loses the will to carry on? I also cannot bear the thought of her in the vet surgery, about to be PTS, wondering where I am...

I just have to hope that she can somehow, miraculously, keep going.

[Muddy4paws]

Zara, I know Im in London, but if there is anyway I can help out let me know, I dont mind ratsitting for you if you can possibly bring her down here? Im not sure what she is like for travelling? You know I take Ronnie everywhere with me and my work is only 15 minutes away from my house so it wouldnt be far so she could possibly come to work with me. Ronnie enjoys travelling but I guess not all rats do.

Im sure if you explain to the lady whats happening she will keep a close eye on her for you.

Let me know if I can help at all.

[Alysser]

Zara, I really don't know what to say but I know you will make the best decision for Tia and you're taking wonderful care of her. (((HUGS)))

[Miss Z]

Zara, I know Im in London, but if there is anyway I can help out let me know, I dont mind ratsitting for you if you can possibly bring her down here? Im not sure what she is like for travelling? You know I take Ronnie everywhere with me and my work is only 15 minutes away from my house so it wouldnt be far so she could possibly come to work with me. Ronnie enjoys travelling but I guess not all rats do.

Im sure if you explain to the lady whats happening she will keep a close eye on her for you.

Let me know if I can help at all.

Holly, that is really kind of you to offer, but I doubt that we'd be able to find time to get down to London. My dad has quite a busy week at work so I don't think he would have chance to take time off before the holiday. My brother is a football club all this week, so my mum needs to be around to pick him up each day. Tia doesn't seem to mind travelling, but of course, I've never taken her on a journey via car for more than 20 minutes.

But once again, that's so sweet of you to offer, and shows what great and caring people there are on this forum. ((hugs))

I'm going to telephone the lady this afternoon and explain to her the amount of care Tia will need. I'll also have to telephone the vets and book an appointment for sometime this week; we're going to get her checked over as she's nearly finished her course of antibiotics. We will also have to give permission for Tia to be PTS if she becomes gravely ill whilst we're away , and I will explain this to the lady too. I've started to type out a care sheet for the lady too, because there's quite a lot to remember and I just want to be sure than an aspect of her care isn't forgotten.

I checked the lady's card and she does have an award in small animal care, which gives me some hope that she will know what to do if there are any crisis situations whilst I'm not there, and will recognise the signs of pining from those of pain.

Tia seems about the same today, still quite lethargic but willing to shuffle about and tuck into whatever you offer her. We've noticed that it's most difficult for her to move around in her cage, as the shavings obstruct her a bit, but the bare floor is a little slippy for her. So I had a brainwave and nicked the rubber mats from my dad's car, gave them a good scrub with disinfectant and put them on the base of her cage instead. I think this makes it a lot easier for her to move about now. But I don't know how long it'll take my dad to realise that they're missing.

Thanks for all your continued support, everyone, all kisses and scritches for Tia were much appreciated by the little madam herself.

[Muddy4paws]

These are the times I wished I could drive.. !!

Just wanted to point out if that lady has the internet you might want to give her a link to www.fancy-rats.co.uk . That site has so much information and the people really do know their stuff on there. Im sure she will apreciate the sheet.

If its anyway possible dont dismiss my offer its always open for Tia if its needed.

[Miss Z]

So, I'm off to Cyprus tomorrow. And we've come to the point at which I was dreading, leaving Tia in someone else's care.

My mum had a good conversation with the woman who is taking care of her. She seems prepared to take everything on, which is good. I've written her a list of stuff that needs doing, and what to look for in Tia's behaviour. I'll demonstrate to her how to administer her medication, too.

We took her to the vets a few days ago, and thankfully they were quite happy with her condition. She's lost a lot of muscle around her back end, but isn't underweight or dehydrated, which is great. They said I must have been doing a good job with her medication and flexing her muscles for her, along with cleaning her up after any 'accidents', as she doesn't appear to be suffering and looks considerably bright-eyed and perky given all her ailments.

The tumour is an ugly beast now. She's getting a bit of hair loss around it as it swells so she's getting a pink, ping pong ball sized lump behind her right foreleg. However, she barely seems to pay it any attention and she doesn't scratch or bite at it, as the vets said she may do. She's a tough little girl, I'll give her that.

Even though things have looked up since her last scare, I know I will worry myself sick over her for the duration of the hoilday. I'm going to keep in contact with the lady. I just hope I don't get 'the' call which will say that it's time...

A little PT magic would be a great benefit to Tia and I, it's kept us going so far!

Thanks,

Zara

[Babyboonie]

Zara, I don't know what to say. I've got tears my eyes because I can only imagine how hard going away is going to be for you. Try and remain positive for Tia's sake....she may pick up that somethings wrong or worrying you?

I'm sure the lady who is caring for her will give beautiful Tia as much undivided attention as she possibly can. If she knows the situation and hasn't run a mile...she's a great person. Not many people would take on the responsibility of a poorly animal.

I will keep both Tia and yourself in my thoughts whilst your away...but please promise to give an update as soon as you can. I feel like I know you and Tia....and I've never even met you!!

Take care and have a great holiday xxx