URGENT ADVICE NEEDED FOR THOR!!

[adoptaratcanada]

I went to check on him. He's not responsive !

He's breathing quickly and and his back legs seems to be trembling.

He was/is curled up in his nest. And at least *looks* comfortable.

I know some people have the philosophy that if they are going downhill, let them die peacefully at home. I've always gone to the vet to have pets put down when things are that grim.

However, this looks like one of those cases where I feel I should let him be. However, since I can't ACTUALLY know how he feels, I don't want for him to go on like this all day.

PLEASE ADVISE!

Thanks!!

[adoptaratcanada]

*** THOR UPDATE ***

I thought while I"m waiting to hear back from rat forums, I'll get dressed and warm up the truck, just in case.

After basically not moving in the morning I found him upright (he had been sleeping curled up on his side). He was still very out of it.

I put him in another nest and put that in the carrier and off we went.

The vet said Thor is very dehydrated. Neither he nor any of his littermates were big on drinking. I made sure to give him fruits/veg for water content and also gave baby food with water added a couple times a day, to help.

I left him with the vet who was going to X-ray him, as the vet had concerns over sounds in the heart. This since last week! He's also lost weight. They are also giving him fluids.

It's all been so sudden. He was doing great up to yesterday (except for the extreme lethargy in the night) and his appetite has been good. That has me worried, how much he's been eating, yet still managed to lose weight.

Now I'm just awaiting a call from the vet.

Will keep you posted!

[adoptaratcanada]

*** FINAL UPDATE, I'M AFRAID ***

No sooner did I send of my previous post about Thor staying at the vet for the morning, then I got a call to let me know he passed away while there.

I just got back from collecting his body.

Those poor 3 brothers, they all had ongoing health issues from the time I got them, only last spring. I can't believe they are all gone now.

[Dezzi]

OH NOES! *hug* Linda I'm so sorry to hear that. Unfortunately all my boys have health issues as well, so I dread the time that I have to deal with what you do. If you need to get out or talk to someone, or need someone to give you a hand cleaning up the cage (which I find is the hardest part) let me know. You know how to reach me.

[adoptaratcanada]

Aw, thanks, Dezzi, you're really sweet! I probably will leave the cage for a bit, because as you say it's the hardest part. I appreciate the offer and will let you know when I'm up to tackling that.

[ladyjosephine]

Oh! I'm sorry, what a bad day..That went quick

I had more than my share of vet-visits the last couple of weeks, Monday was my latest one; I had to let Tex go.. I didn't feel like checking out messageboards/Forums so I didn't had the change to read this..

[Die Fledermaus]

I posted a few days ago in the Memorial forum that Max and Petey suddenly died. Read it. They go quickly. Ephemeral, as I said; "furry flowers". Rangi died before that, also suddenly. I posted on him, also.

It happens. We do what we can. We have to accept what we can't change.

Condolences about Thor. But your concern and efforts for him, and the rest, is simply noble.

[pinky]

Jan 6, 2010 23:07:14 GMT -4 Die Fledermaus said:

Condolences about Thor. But your concern and efforts for him, and the rest, is simply noble.

Couldn't say it much better than this.

Rest peacefully, Thor.

*hugs Linda*

[Hamsters82]

Aw, Linda I'm so sorry. May Thor rest in peace and I hope you are holding up well. *hugs*

[adoptaratcanada]

Thanks everyone. I"m doing alright, but every now and again it hits me and I have a bit of a cry. Like today when I found a stray piece of their fleece had got into *my* laundry.

[Die Fledermaus]

I know. Been there.

Best.