Two weeks ago I mentioned how some of our other rats were doing well. Things have changed.
Bandit has developed diarrhea. A trip to the vet showed lots of bacteria in his (liquified) poops; he's on three medicines. Fortunately, I can mix them in yogurt, so giving them to him is not a problem.
Kanga is still very skinny, but she's still eating.
Roo and Neiko have developed some lumps; they are almost certainly tumors. Neiko's is right below a nipple and is probably the inevitable mammary tumor. Roo's is probably a mammary tumor, but something about it suggests, personally to me, that maybe it isn't. Nothing scientific to go on, but something about it is just not right. It's in her lower abdomen (as is Neiko's) and...ah, heck, I'm no vet. They both will go to the vet this Saturday for a checkup.
If they are mammary tumors, we probably will *not* have surgery. It's been our experience they will just come back.
Posted by Publius at January 22, 2006 05:46 PMJust to clarify...it's been our experience that mammary tumors come back, and both Neiko and Roo are over two years old, so we don't want to put them through the stress of surgery and recovery (like Kanga with the e-collar) at their age...if they were younger, and the tumor growth was likely to cut the natural lifespan significantly shorter, we'd have the surgery like we did for Kanga.
Posted by: abita at January 22, 2006 06:45 PMOH NO!!!
Just when you think things are going fine.. shesh!!
hope Roo and neiko are ok, and wont have to have surgery...
colleen
Posted by: colleen at January 23, 2006 12:16 AMJust wanted to wish you better days. Hope Bandit is well. I'm sorry you are having so many problems.
Posted by: Eanna at January 23, 2006 09:11 PMOh, poor Bandit! Hope he feels better soon. And my hugs to Roo and Neiko. That's the same reason I didn't have Rat's tumors removed.
Posted by: Lynn at January 23, 2006 10:59 PMOh crap, it's always the way! Poor little dudes, praying for them
Posted by: Shamisen at January 24, 2006 08:30 AMOh crap, it's always the way! Poor little dudes, praying for them
Posted by: Shamisen at January 24, 2006 08:31 AMperhaps he is allergic to milk products...? there are several companies that make soy yogurt with the acidophilus he needs. it might be worth getting some and seeing if his poop improves.
Posted by: angelratgirl at January 24, 2006 10:55 AM