RatPalace.com - Pet Rat Care and Discussion

Wed Dec 07, 2005 2:31 am

Oreos brother Dirtball had a stroke i think. He had a mild one a while back and was walking with a head tilt and kind of slow. Now I am thinking he had another stroke, he gets around but on his side, he is still eating and drinking from a shallow dish. His right eye though will not close, there is no blink reflex at all and thats the side that is down in the bedding when he moves. He doesnt seem to be in any pain, he is still doing his normal routine as best as he can. I dont know what to do for him ...or what to do about his eye. As far as I know it seems to be a stroke...I am not sure if an infection would do this. I did him some ammoxy yesterday, and hte day before when he looked worse...he seems far better then what he did day before yesterday. We have an appointment but not till friday with the vet. He seems to think it was a stroke too. Hopefully he will improve enough to live out his life with his brother. Oreo seems to be helping him out by letting him lean against him when he eats...its pretty sweet. Shaz

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Last edited by MerlinsMagic on Fri Dec 09, 2005 8:16 am; edited 1 time in total

Wed Dec 07, 2005 5:32 am

Awww, how sweet of his brother to help him. And the name Dirtball is cracking me up!

There's a good chance his blink reflex will come back in a couple weeks or less. Other things may not improve much, but hopefully that will.

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Kate & the M.O.U.S.
If you saw a man drowning and you could either save him or photograph the event ... what kind of film would you use?
~ Anonymous

Wed Dec 07, 2005 8:24 am

How can I protect that eye in the mean time? I do have some neo-poly-bac its a make up of neomycin, polymyxin B sulfates and Bacitracin zinc...also contains white petrolatum and mineral oil...should I keep it moist with that? Also till we see the vet should I keep him on the ammoxi drops? They werent prescribed to him but I thought sever inner ear infection or a secondary infection..friday seems just sooooo far away. Shaz

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Wed Dec 07, 2005 10:36 am

Oh... I really just don't know, and don't want to give wrong advice. Sad

I think asking the vet by phone first thing in the morning would be best, there is probably a simple eye ointment you can get at the pharmacy OTC, and find out if the ammoxy should be continued.

Sorry I can't really help, I'm just clueless. Sad

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Kate & the M.O.U.S.
If you saw a man drowning and you could either save him or photograph the event ... what kind of film would you use?
~ Anonymous

Wed Dec 07, 2005 10:56 am

That does definitely sound like a stroke. Sad

The best thing you can do for him until you can get him to the vet is to move him off of regular bedding and onto something softer. Perhaps fabric would be better - that way he wouldn't be dragging his eye in pointy bedding.

Also, call your vet back and see if using sterile eye solution would help until you can get him in there. If his eye is open, and seems to not be able to shut, it can dry out quickly and may cause him to permanently lose his sight in that eye.

That's really all the advice I can give. I hope he gets better soon!

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Shanna
~ Serendipity Rodentry ~

Wed Dec 07, 2005 11:54 am

I would put him on soft cloth bedding to minimise the chances of foreign matter in his eye and with nothing to climb on either, so he doesn't fall. You may also need to help him with cleaning the genital area with a soft warm cloth. Hand feeding soft foods may be a good idea as well, in case he has chewing or swallowing problems.

I had a rat that came good after a suspected stroke, slowly but surely, it takes time.

Good luck, will hold a good thought for him.

Fri Dec 09, 2005 8:19 am

I'm so sorry he didn't make it, Shaz.
Hug

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Kate & the M.O.U.S.
If you saw a man drowning and you could either save him or photograph the event ... what kind of film would you use?
~ Anonymous

Fri Dec 09, 2005 8:25 am

I founhd dirt ball today...he was doing so much better, I am thinking he may have had yet another stroke. Him and Oreo were so close, Oreo buried him, in a bit of cloth and stayed by him till I found him. I know I am sad I can only imagin how Oreo feels...RIP my little furry...Shaz

Dirt ball as a baby,

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Fri Dec 09, 2005 8:35 am

So sorry to hear.

Oreo will need lots of attention from you now, the boys grieve terribly when their friends go.

Fri Dec 09, 2005 8:41 am

yea I already noticed Oreo is really with drawn and sad...even though they werent brothers...Dirt was introd to Oreo at a very early age...Oreo was 8weeks old and Dirt was 6 weeks. They were the only two males from differant litters that I have EVER had get along with each other. I dont know if he would accept young baby...again. Shaz

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Fri Dec 09, 2005 10:38 am

If Oreo wouldn't accept a baby, do you have other boys who might, in case a baby or two is rejected? Ooh or you could get two, and if if Oreo prefers to be alone, the two could live together and you could get Oreo a stuffed toy.

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Kate & the M.O.U.S.
If you saw a man drowning and you could either save him or photograph the event ... what kind of film would you use?
~ Anonymous

Fri Dec 09, 2005 7:01 pm

I have a couple of male babies already here from my last two litters. I could try and see if he will accept the two 14k babies, if not they will just go back with their daddy and unkle. I put a stuffed animal in there with him already last night because he looked so lost...he is in his coconut hut sleeping right now. Thanks for all of the well wishes. Shaz

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Fri Dec 09, 2005 9:00 pm

Let us know how it goes. Crossed Fingers

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Kate & the M.O.U.S.
If you saw a man drowning and you could either save him or photograph the event ... what kind of film would you use?
~ Anonymous

Fri Dec 09, 2005 9:35 pm

What a cute fuzzy guy. I'm so sorry he had to leave you. :*

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Arvay and the Squirmin' Vermin

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.'

--Erma Bombeck

Fri Dec 16, 2005 11:57 am

Thats such a shame. My first mouse had a stroke the second day I got her. Sad

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<3 to my Fats and my Meeces

Sat Dec 17, 2005 8:10 pm

Oreo has taken quite fondly to his two new little buddies...his buddies on the other hand want nothing more then to get old Oreo to popcorn...they look good together, pics soon. Shaz

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