I’m so sorry you’re in this situation. I’m sitting in the vet’s office right now trying to make the same decision for my elderly girl. I really struggle with treating older rats. Seems like once they are past two years of age it’s hard to permanently cure any of their common elderly rat issues particularly URI. Do what you think is best for your buddy and don’t feel guilty or bad—two and a half years is a good lifespan for a rat!
You could reach out to rat rescues to see if they can connect you with someone who will home your last, single rat. I’ve taken in older singles before bc I know it’s hard for rat parents who no longer want rats to do right by their last ratties.
Have they tried Clavamox? It’s not particularly commonly used in rats but I had one who refused to respond to the regular ones and they tried that and he got miraculously better (well, better from the antibiotic working) so mebbe try just the one more and might help? And then there is nebulizing that can help as well, even if it’s super expensive.
How is the medicine being administered? If possible I would see about nebulizing instead of oral medications. The basic principle is to have a box ymyou put your boys in and the medication is pumped in via steam. What might make this a better option in your case is, they can be together in the nebulizer which makes it less stressful.
I’m so sorry you’re in this situation. I’m sitting in the vet’s office right now trying to make the same decision for my elderly girl. I really struggle with treating older rats. Seems like once they are past two years of age it’s hard to permanently cure any of their common elderly rat issues particularly URI. Do what you think is best for your buddy and don’t feel guilty or bad—two and a half years is a good lifespan for a rat!
You could reach out to rat rescues to see if they can connect you with someone who will home your last, single rat. I’ve taken in older singles before bc I know it’s hard for rat parents who no longer want rats to do right by their last ratties.
Have they tried Clavamox? It’s not particularly commonly used in rats but I had one who refused to respond to the regular ones and they tried that and he got miraculously better (well, better from the antibiotic working) so mebbe try just the one more and might help? And then there is nebulizing that can help as well, even if it’s super expensive.
How is the medicine being administered? If possible I would see about nebulizing instead of oral medications. The basic principle is to have a box ymyou put your boys in and the medication is pumped in via steam. What might make this a better option in your case is, they can be together in the nebulizer which makes it less stressful.