Walter Update

Walter's hind limb paralysis is relatively common in elderly rat (Mortimer had it as well) but it isn't stopping him yet.

Nelson

Bothwell 2011 - Feb. 2012

Sadly there was no choice and we had to have Bothwell euthanised. The little Lord had an x-ray that showed that an infection had eaten away at the bone of the jaw. Possibly a result of an ear infection he'd shown none of the signs expected and until his eye the other week no issues on that side. There was no choice prolonging his life would just have made him suffer more.

Although it's a very sad thing, Bothwell has been a joy to know. He might only have been with us a few months but he's been a welcome member of our little family - enthusiastic, cheerful, brave and cuddly. He'll be sorely missed.

Bothwell Update

 Bothwell enjoys some baby food - apple and pork casserole - nom-tastic! 

(He happily ate his painkiller mixed in as well)

Bothwell's vet visit tonight went ok, we've got an appointment first thing tomorrow morning so they can see what is going on and possibly x-ray his head area. The swelling is a bit better but it feels like there is something else. On the major downside he's having issues eating, hence baby food. So tomorrow's appointment is to see if the abscess is it or if it's cancer (which is the most likely outcome).

Bothwell Hugs

Bothwell has another vet trip tomorrow but tonight it's all about yummy mush and hugs. In particular a hot compress on the affected area which he seemed to really appreciate. It looks like there might be an abscess but even if that is the case it's unclear if there is something underneath.  So making the most of our time together.

Bothwell

The mighty Bothwell is sick. The left of his head is very swollen. It came up last night suddenly, he was leaning to that side on Saturday but yesterday it was swollen and he was clearly in pain. So we dosed him with kiddie ibuprofen mixed with muller rice. Today we went to the vet (swelling was no worse) he's on painkillers and antibiotics. We've another appointment on Thursday to see if there is improvement. Prognosis isn't good, while the swelling may go down but it depends what caused the swelling in the first place. Either way he's lost weight and is having problems eating.

Nelson is up at at it

Rat Pile!

Squashed in a Sputnik

Do rats like banoffee pudding?

Option 2 - banoffee pudding and antibiotics. 

Please note Bothwell's eye - he managed to slice it open on Sunday morning.

Do rats like pancakes?

Horatio had a cough so a trip to the vets later and everyone is on antibiotics twice a day for a week (plus some in their water for three weeks). So the challenge is to feed the antibiotics in interesting ways - option 1 pancakes, bacon and maple syrup.

Nomming Raleigh

Five in a Box

Nellie finds a comfy bed

Do you have any food?

Walter here demonstrating the 'cute but starving' look used to convince us unaware humans that he's been neglected and unloved (double treats for all today after this play worked on me and Tom).

Watch out! Horatio's about.

The lesser spotted Horatio out for a hug.

Raleigh update

Raleigh is doing much better. It appears it is just an abscess and we've managed to get it fully emptied and properly cleaned out (yes it was super yicky). The vet gave us some medicine (Septrin - which is made for humans) so twice a day we get to try and force him to take it. Despite (or possibly because of) it's banana flavour this is a total challenge - a spoonful of sugar does not help the medicine go down (nor does soup, smoothie or ...).

Poorly Raleigh

Raleigh has lumps. He has an abscess on his lower abdomen - we did clean it out but it's pretty big (he didn't have one when we headed off on holiday so it's obviously come up fast - he had one under his left front arm recently that appeared and exploded in a matter of days). Obviously the big concern is it might be as a result of a growth (there is a lump but that could just be damaged tissue). He also seems to have a lump on the base of his tail (hopefully just a spot) so it's a vet trip tomorrow. (We did call the 24hr vet line but since he's not in any discomfort they recommended going tomorrow).

On plus side he's still social with us and the others plus he's not off his food - he just tried to steal a spoon off Tom to get the nom.

Do Rats Like Carrot Soup?

Yes. Yes they do.

Rat Pile!

Nelson - showing he's still cutest

Bothwell

Hammock ZZZZZZs

Hanging with the girls