I took him to his vet and all that, I know what's wrong and such - so I'm not here looking for a diagnosis, and I don't want to be told to take him to the vet...I already did! haha
My real question is - how long does it take before noticing a difference in their health when they are taking antibiotics (for a respiratory problem)? And does anyone know if it sorta gets worse before it gets better?
He's had the meds for 3 days. He hates the flavour (even though apparently the majority of rats and mice LOVE banana bread flavouring haha), so day one he would only take about half of one dose licking it off my finger. Day two, we put it on a small peice of bread with a dab of peanut butter on it...after much attempts and rejection, he finally ate about enough for one dose that day (supposed to be two a day). Today, I managed to get him to take both full doses by putting it on a small peice of a ritz cracker (I know, not the most healthy, but it's all that's in the house cracker-wise).
The nighttime dose tonight, he seemed to be sneezing/wheezing a lot while he was eating the cracker. May just be coincidence, but that's what prompts the question about getting worse before better.
Sorry for such a long post - I just wanted to give some context!
Posted:
Thu Jan 24, 2008 5:37 am
Twig TopDog
Joined: Feb 14, 2007 Posts: 514 Age: 18 No.Of Pets: 10+ Pet Types: Dog, 2 rabbits and lots of fish!
I haven't any firsthand experience, so the only advice I can offer is to ensure if theres a chance his respiratory problem began with an allergy you look into what it could be. Pine and cedar are big no-nos when it comes to bedding, as is anything dusty.
How is his ventilation in his cage? Does he sleep in a little hut? If so does it have holes in the top of it to let air circulate? If its plastic this is particularly a must.
Its really important he gets both doses as giving him less one day can build up a resistance to it. The antibiotics may take a day or two to take effect, so I'd phone your vet now and explain he seems almost worst and ask if thats normal. I'm no expert in mice I'm afraid,just hamsters and gerbils.
Make sure he is kept warm, dry and away from drafts. Also avoid any changes in routine, caging etc to prevent stressing him as that will only weaken him further. I'd also recommend you give him a little natural yoghurt with probiotics in it, you can soak bread or oats in it as the antibiotics will not only be killing off the bad bacteria, but also the 'good' bacteria in his gut.
Sorry if my post is of no use what so ever, you may have more luck on a mouse forum.
I haven't any firsthand experience, so the only advice I can offer is to ensure if theres a chance his respiratory problem began with an allergy you look into what it could be. Pine and cedar are big no-nos when it comes to bedding, as is anything dusty.
How is his ventilation in his cage? Does he sleep in a little hut? If so does it have holes in the top of it to let air circulate? If its plastic this is particularly a must.
Its really important he gets both doses as giving him less one day can build up a resistance to it. The antibiotics may take a day or two to take effect, so I'd phone your vet now and explain he seems almost worst and ask if thats normal. I'm no expert in mice I'm afraid,just hamsters and gerbils.
Make sure he is kept warm, dry and away from drafts. Also avoid any changes in routine, caging etc to prevent stressing him as that will only weaken him further. I'd also recommend you give him a little natural yoghurt with probiotics in it, you can soak bread or oats in it as the antibiotics will not only be killing off the bad bacteria, but also the 'good' bacteria in his gut.
Sorry if my post is of no use what so ever, you may have more luck on a mouse forum.
Yeah we definitely use aspen, not cedar or pine!
His cage is a wire cage, so ventilation is good, and his house is a half-kleenex box that has a variety of holes cut all over it for climbing enjoyment.
And yeah, I was worried about not getting enough of the meds, if he didn't take them both yesterday, I was going to call the vet and deal with it -but he took both yesterday, and should *knocks on wood* today as well, and for the remainder of the time he's on it.
Maybe, if it takes a couple/few days to kick in...it could just be the natural progression of the disease, right? Like, it's continuing to stay the same and maybe get a bit worse since the meds haven't had a chance to kick in yet? He really only seemed a bit worse when he was eating the cracker/meds, so I'm not too too worried.
Could easily just be because he was excited about the cracker, so he got himself worked up and made his breathing worse...
Thanks for the reply! If he's still seeming worse when I give him his morning dose tomorrow, I'll give the vet a call!
After his two weeks on his antibiotic...Squints hasn't gotten any better. He seems to have almost gotten worse.
I'm taking him in to the vet again this afternoon...she said we can try a different type of antibiotic, as it's common for rodents to have no reaction to one of the two types, but react to the other. I hope she's right.
My boyfriend and I are beside ourselves right now...of course sad because we might lose our little guy...but I'm having a really hard time with thinking that maybe I shouldn't be giving him all these meds and stuff. Maybe I should have just had him put down last time he was at the vet, back when he wasn't suffering so badly yet. Instead I feel like I'm prolonging his suffering, and possibly all for not.
It's just so hard to know when to make that call, you know? But I think in the past, it hasn't been hard. So maybe that means that it isn't time yet, because if it was - it wouldn't be a difficult decision to make.
I keep telling him that if he needs to go - he's welcome to. We won't be upset. That we just don't want him to hurt anymore...been telling him that for two weeks. And he hasn't listened!
I even prayed (and I'm SO not a religious person) the other night, when he was having a REALLY hard time breathing and it woke me up...I prayed that God would stop his suffering. Either take him, or let him get better. Suddenly, I couldn't hear the breathing anymore. It was silence. I was 100% sure he had died. But when I went over to check...he came out of his house excitedly to greet me...maybe that means something too.
Maybe he isn't quite done yet...
Sorry for the giant rant, guys...I just need to get it out somewhere and I figure you guys are least likely to think I'm completely nuts for getting so distraught over a mouse...
Posted:
Wed Feb 06, 2008 6:25 pm
clareabella TopDog
Joined: May 21, 2007 Posts: 2330 Age: 23 No.Of Pets: 10+ Pet Types: Dog,cat,chinchillas,degus,mice,zebra mouse
I can sympathise you with completley! I have a poorly chinchilla that has been to the vets so many times these past few months and he has been on so much medication that the same thoughts about having him put down to end his suffering are running through my mind at the moment.
Like you say though, maybe it just isn't time to let go. I know for certain that im holding onto any bit of hope i can that my chinchilla will get get better soon.
Just wanted to let you know that your not on your own I hope your mouse gets better very soon xx ____________
And his body is already decomposing, in a way. The vet thinks some issues he's had with his eye were a symptom, that his respiratory problems are a symptom, and that his recently ear "injury" (we thought his brother bit him) is actually his ear just kinda...breaking down.
I brought him home today so my boyfriend will have a chance to say goodbye, and I'll be bringing him in tomorrow or Friday to stop his suffering...
I hope things go better for your little guy than they have for mine, Clareabella
Posted:
Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:25 pm
clareabella TopDog
Joined: May 21, 2007 Posts: 2330 Age: 23 No.Of Pets: 10+ Pet Types: Dog,cat,chinchillas,degus,mice,zebra mouse
Poor guy. sorry to hear that. ____________ Frankie, Bindi, Buddy, Jack Baeur, Peter Pan, Ruffty Tuffty, Sox, Dexter,Tiger, Vilmaris, Run free at rainbow bridge Sunny, Betty, Flint and Jack Bauer
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The antibiotics may take a day or two to take effect, so I'd phone your vet now and explain he seems almost worst and ask if thats normal. 
xx
