Pituitary tumor or Inner Ear Infection.

Hi All,

Desperate plea for help.

May male rat (Sauron) began treatment for an inner war infection on the 17
Wednesday.he was given a anti inflammatory / steroid injection (should last
5 days) and I was told to continue the anti biotic that I had him on.

Friday night / Saturday morning he had lost a lot more co ordination so I
took back to the vets and they gave him another anti inflam / steroid (3day)
and put on baytril. I was told to return on Monday, last night (Saturday) he
was eating the infasoy (soy / soya based - I am told this is very good for
rats that are not eating properly). that I had placed in his cage. This
morning and all day he is hardly moving.

His legs have become more rigid (tumor?) however he still has responses in
his legs and will move them back to the normal position if he receives
stimuli to his feet. He does attempt to wash himself and will like my hands
when I am feeding him (affection or enjoying the food?)

He is taking infasoy through a syringe, laps it up when placed into his
mouth.

My question.

Could this still be an inner ear infection?

If not what is the point of "no-return" with regards to when steroids and
antibiotic cannot bring him back to a point where he has quality of life.

Luckily he is not showing signs of a build up of fluid in his lungs so I
think he is breathing correctly.

I have an appointment with my vet tomorrow evening (17:50) and I know that
they are going to say Put him to sleep. I have though about that to day, but
its never an easy decision to make. I am an eternal optimist and would like
to think I could bring him back to a point where he has quality of life.

Any help / advice gratefully received.

Paul

<pacapps.DeleteThis@rats.demon.co.ukj> wrote in message
news:e4t630$es$1$8300dec7@news.demon.co.uk...
> When I awoke for his 5:30 feed he had deteriated. Having trouble
> breathing, So I took him to the vets at 9:40 this morning. I did the only
> thing that I could to ease his suffering and had him PTS.
>
> It has broken my heart, but I know it was the right think to do.
>
> I held him whilst the 1st injection knocked him out and then whilst the
> vet gave him the fatal does into the heart I was stroking his cheeks (just
> like he went mad for) and talking to him and telling him that I loved him.
>
> My two remaining rats (Ra and Hades) are not sure what has happened but
> they have known that something was wrong for days.
>
> They had only known him about 5 weeks. I only got these 2 to keep him
> company (not that I would be parted with them) after he started to mope 8
> weeks after losing his cage mate. (Unknown cause)
>
> Just have to arrange the cremation now, that will be another heart
> wrencher, as it always is, that final final goodbye. He will be placed in
> the same casket as Radagast (his cage mate) and they will both sit on the
> shelf with my 5 others that have gone before him.
>
> Thanks for your concern.
> a very sad Paul, Ra and Hades

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your little one. I know how hard it
is taking them to be pts, but it was the right thing to do and now Sauro is
at peace. He had a good life full of love and happiness with you, he
couldn't have asked for more.

Tracey