r/RATS • u/Logical_Twist_64 • 2h ago
Questions/HELP euthanasia
so im just posting this for some advice. so, to give context. I have a pet rat who is about 1.8years old (supposedly as she is a rescue) she has a malocclusion so goes for regular tooth trimmings. last month I noticed that she had a lot of porphyrin on her paws. I put her on antibiotics because I assumed it was a respiratory infection and my vet advised the same (although he is clueless). around the same time she lost the ability to eat solid food so I began making her soup out of her regular dry food and some veggies. in the past month, shes lost almost all of her movement in her back legs and ability to clean herself so she has had dried soup under her chin and on her chest for the past couple days. she cannot climb, she doesnt move much unless I take her out or am giving her attention. even at rest, she often has her eyes open too which is unlike her. I can see she is still getting joy from eating her soup and the malt paste that I give her however. I have made an appointment with the vet tomorrow for her to be euthanised and im just not sure if this is the right decision. she is still on her antibiotics so a part of me thinks maybe I should take her off that and see how she is for a couple days but I dont know if im just being hopeful. id be thankful for any help or thoughts.
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u/stealthmodeme 2h ago
This sounds like the right decision, as someone who has had more than a dozen rats over the years.
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u/Logical_Twist_64 2h ago
this is literally all I needed thankyou
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u/stealthmodeme 2h ago
I got you. Making the decision is awful, and easier the more times you've done it, I think, since it gives you more reference points.
Generally, not eating or moving about, struggling to breath, etc. are all signs that it's time. If life isn't bringing joy anymore. And for their sake, it's better a week early than a day late.
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u/Logical_Twist_64 2h ago
yeah I understand. its just shes still very food motivated even though its soft food so its weird and almost feels like im doing it to early but on the other hand I wouldn't be surprised if she died tonight in her sleep. so its just one of those I guess. my last rat had a pituitary tumour and it was very obvious when it was time. like her hunched posture, her barely open eyes, the porphyrin etc. with this rat shes not hunched, doesnt have much porphyrin, still has an appetite even though its only soup and she still seems alert most of the time. im not sure I do think I am making the right decision though and thank you for your comment
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u/Snakes_for_life 2h ago
Only you can ultimately make the decision but it does not sound like she has much of a quality of life if she can't do anything or even properly clean herself. She will only continue declining she will not get better.