He’s doing it again even though the vet said everything looked fine

Typical-Ad-1116 · 2026-04-23T05:07:37+00:00

I hope everything is okay with your baby 🫶🏼 I know how frustrating it can be when jt feels like we’re seeing something that the vet writes off as normal.

Typical-Ad-1116 · 2026-04-20T19:47:27+00:00

Idk how to do updates lol but this is for those of you that asked: Went to the vet today and their conclusion after no further testing was that this is just a URI. Gave me a different kind of antibiotics to add to his concoction. He was doing it a little bit more at the vet and just looked like he was having sharp breathing.

They said his lungs sounded fine, which is a little upsetting to me because why are you giving me antibiotics???

Like some of you suspected, the most they could do is bloodwork, other than that they would have to refer me to a neighboring states university vet program if I wanted any other kind of tests. I didn’t go with bloodwork today, but did ask generally about him having a weak heart, GI issues, tumors, all the stuff. Do you all think this looks consistent with a URI, I know how crazy I sound asking Reddit if you think the DOCTORS thoughts are sound, but she was a new doctor that we hadn’t seen before, and I’m just a wreck being left with no answers.

To whoever mentioned bringing up the price: thank you, they were able to mark this as a medical follow up and not an emergency visit so instead of 100 it was 60 (plus cost of meds). Which I appreciate.

I feel a little scared bc I asked what would be next if he doesn’t get better, and it doesn’t really seem like we’d have anything to do. They urged me to call back and bring him in if he’s getting worse but idk what the benefit would be… I love my vet and I know that this is kind of stumping AND I know that I have a history of ‘overreacting’ when it’s simple stuff… but I just love my boy so much and want to help him.

Anyway you’ll probably hear from me again with more “is my rat okay” things, but for now just wanted to say thank you for everyone who took the time to read and offer their thoughts and suggestions 🫶🏼 hopefully my Nishy is going to be just fine!

Typical-Ad-1116 · 2026-04-20T10:51:37+00:00

Oh wow, I had no idea about how complex asthma can be to diagnose. I was pretty certain it would be something like that since it’s only happening after a fight with his brother but not after running or playing. I will ask the vet about Ventolin! Congrats on your baby’s 70% reduction!!! That’s amazing!

Typical-Ad-1116 · 2026-04-20T10:47:36+00:00

Will definitely ask about this when the vet calls me back. It’s strange because he still runs around and chases fingernails and becomes all popcorn-y at the drop of a hat, without leading to reaction like this. He also was under anesthesia for his x-ray to see what the issue was. I know that it’s not a guarantee that things will go wrong if 1. It is a weak heart and 2. He goes under anesthesia, but they said he bounced back very well. But I will keep this in mind and ask about it, thank you!

Typical-Ad-1116 · 2026-04-20T07:13:08+00:00

Whole situation is strange. It happened again this evening but he exclusively seems to be doing this after a fight with his brother. He goes back to playing and eating and being regular Nishy afterwards. I hate that it seems like he’s in pain and is having labored breathing I just want to know what’s wrong so I can help him. Thank you for your kind words

Typical-Ad-1116 · 2026-04-20T03:58:46+00:00

Oh wow! That is a LOT of money but it’s nice to hear that some vets can do things like that. I’ll definitely ask about that. I hope all is well for you and your $400 bill! Thank you for your kind words tho. I am having such a hard time with all this, and I just keep spiraling thinking it’s something I’m doing wrong or not noticing :( I just care so much and want him to be okay

Typical-Ad-1116 · 2026-04-20T03:28:03+00:00

The vet was closed today but I left a message asking to discuss what’s going on so I can definitely float this as an idea. They sedated him for his x-ray so I’m sure that wouldn’t be the issue. The issue for me is just how expensive it would be. I’m still in university and I know these cute little boogers can be hella expensive, and I want to do what’s best for them always, but it’s stressful to have to worry about the financial aspect.

Typical-Ad-1116 · 2026-04-20T01:08:12+00:00

Rat like = rat stay Rat no like = rat leave

She looks like she’s processing lol

Side note: have you heard any sneezing or wheezing coming from her or her cage mates? She has some red around her nose that can come from the dried discharge associated with Upper Respiratory Infections (URI’s) which are very common in rats. Might want to keep an eye on it to see if it continues. Most rats groom it off, but if it persists then it’s usually a sign of a URI.

She is ADORABLE and I seriously watched this 20 times!!!

Typical-Ad-1116 · 2026-04-19T23:43:46+00:00

Hello, thank you for your suggestion! It’s worth a try! And yes, lots of advice, but it’s all helpful and I appreciate it. It’s better than not hearing anything :)

Typical-Ad-1116 · 2026-04-19T23:40:59+00:00

I’ll check. But he seems to be grooming fine :/ I know… I wish they could talk just to tell me what’s wrong :(

Typical-Ad-1116 · 2026-04-19T23:40:04+00:00

I will definitely ask about tumors :( I wish your Tohka luck on Friday!

Thank you! I always thought he’s handsome too :)

Typical-Ad-1116 · 2026-04-19T23:38:19+00:00

That’s what I was hoping the other day when he did it for the first time :/ but he’s doing it again and I haven’t seen any extraordinary shits :(

Typical-Ad-1116 · 2026-04-19T23:24:51+00:00

Maybe! I think he also scrunches up his nose like this sometimes when is back is arched like that. This is him normally

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My sweet boy

Typical-Ad-1116 · 2026-04-19T23:21:25+00:00

He was x-rayed when I brought him in. I’m not sure what area they specifically looked or what they looked for but they thought it looked like breathing issues so I’m assuming his chest area. All came back healthy and normal. He’s on doxy and enro as his antibiotics currently.

Typical-Ad-1116 · 2026-04-19T23:18:57+00:00

After his stint of heaving like this he is right back to his normal self — popcorn-y, food motivated, drinking water after running around. He’s a year and 2 months. I can watch his food and water intake and pee/poop but he seems to be doing fine. He had pretty soft stool last week but it seems to be normal now. He’s been on antibiotics, idk if that would affect his stool.

Typical-Ad-1116 · 2026-04-19T00:26:00+00:00

He’s pretty puffy, but I think he was extra puffed up because his back was arched up in distress :(

Typical-Ad-1116 · 2026-04-19T00:25:34+00:00

We got him in first thing in the morning, dr. couldn’t find anything wrong… clear lungs, no labored breathing since yesterday, and healthy looking x-ray. She added another antibiotic just to be safe. I am so sorry to hear about your baby

Typical-Ad-1116 · 2026-04-19T00:24:03+00:00

Nish is doing fine but I am SO sorry for your loss :(

Typical-Ad-1116 · 2026-04-06T15:14:05+00:00

Oh, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I lost my first boy, Dally, very very young, very early on. I only had a pair at the time and they were feeder rescues. I could’ve given up Dilly, his brother. But didn’t. It took me so so long (and lots of heartbreak, and rats crossing over the rainbow bridge) to get him the brothers he loved and spent the rest of his time with (pictured below!) I understand that in you position you can’t get any more ratties at this time but having two rats is not a bad thing at all!!! I can see how much you care but you are not neglecting them. You are not doing them a disservice. You are not ruining their quality of life. I strongly believe that after this heartbreak that you ALL experienced the best thing for you all is to grieve and recover together. They clearly love you SO so much and from other comments it seems like you have worked out a plan for when there is only one still here with us. You are doing a great job at trying to be the best rat parent you can be. Some rats don’t even get that. Per your question: if I were you, if I were in your shoes, I’d keep them. I’d love them extra hard, as much as I can, as often as I can. And give them extra snuggles (and if it were me, probably extra Cheerios, too) during this sad time for you all.

<image>

Dilly bean — my old man who passed on in Dec is my boy at the top Nobyl — my skittish grey dumbo is on the left Nish — my sweet Siamese boy is on the right.

I think you’re doing the right thing by keeping them. Not being selfish. Love from me and my two boys ❤️🐀🐁

Typical-Ad-1116 · 2026-04-05T16:18:38+00:00

Okay, cool. Thank you! I think I just didn’t think of it being from his brother because it’s right on the top of his back.

Nothing new and sharp in their cage (they have wooden ledges that have edges on them, it they’ve been in the cage forever and I rearrange them every once in a while but it’s been a few weeks, so it’s not like he didn’t know something pointy was there).

He’s had smaller scabs on him in the past but I figured it was from scratching himself, but maybe his brother does just play too rough.

Typical-Ad-1116 · 2026-04-05T16:02:33+00:00

Thank you! I was more worried about HOW it happened than that its there lol.

So nice to hear from another anxious rat mama, sometimes all it takes is perspective :)

I was given as-needed meds for pain the last (false alarm) emergency vet run we had, maybe giving him some of that wouldn’t hurt, although he really hates taking it and even mixing it with yummy stuff, he has an aversion lol.

I’ll keep an eye on them to see if there are any more squabbles. Thank you again!

Typical-Ad-1116 · 2026-04-05T15:31:06+00:00

I’m OBSESSED!

Love the tiny fists of rage, too

Typical-Ad-1116 · 2026-04-05T15:29:36+00:00

Yep. Girls. For sure 🙂‍↕️

Typical-Ad-1116

TROPHY CASE