Korean Job Discussion Forums

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

One of my 2 little dudes is ill. I believe he has a respiratory illness, which can quickly become pneumonia and kill him. I've changed his bed to a sleeping bag (made for rats), put it on the floor so he gets ondol, took out the wheel, changed his bedding to rags that will be replaced daily, and made applecauce and mashed sweet carrots, but need to find a vet that will give me some dexycycline. I don't want to take the guy out of the house in the cold.

He's got the reddish eye and nose discharge (not blood, this is common when they are ill), has been sneezing, and (not all the time but often) makes noise when breathing that sounds like a monkey or pigeons. The other guy has always made monkey sounds, but he's healthy and just vocal, but I'm concerned about this one. He's sad, and I'm sad.

Does anyone know a vet that specializes in rats? Preferably in Incheon, but I'm willing to travel. Better yet: one that would just sell me the meds, so my little guy doesn't have to travel and stress out. I'd prefer him to stay in his comfortable, home environment.

[Jake_Kim]

Given that rodents are considered 'exotic pets' as opposed to canines and housecats, you'd be lucky to find one specializing in rodents.

In Seoul, Hansung Vetopia(http://www.vetopia.co.kr) and Acris(http://www.acris-ah.co.kr) are known for their coverage of exotic animals, with the most referrals from other vanilla vets.

The former is near Sillim station, Line 2, and the latter is near Yangjae station where red 9x00 buses might be able to make your trip easier.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

Thanks, Jake. I've got him cuddled in bed with me and the boyfriend at the moment. He's lethargic, but he ate a little of the carrot mash during the night. I'll have my friend stop by and see if they will just give her the meds. If not, I'll take him in later.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

UPDATE: I found a vet very close to home with the help of a Korean friend. The nurse speaks English, and the vet gave my little guy 2 injections (antibiotics and vitamin B) and I have a 6-day supply of the same 2 meds in powder. I have yogurt and mashed fruit, as well as a second water bottle filled with apple juice. Let's just hope the little dude gets well soon. My other guy is staring daggers at me, because he's jealous of all the attention the sick one is getting. He's been loving the extra mashed fruit, though.

[nero]

Best of luck - hope it all turns out okay for ratty.

[Jake_Kim]

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

Thanks again. I just tested feeding him with the syringe. He lapped up the yogurt. He ate it more readily than if it'd been in a bowl, so I guess this is how I'll feed him his meds everyday at 3am and 3pm. Lovely. 3am feedings. As long as the dude gets well. I've noted the vets you told me about. I went to Simin Animal Hospital in Juan, if there are any Incheoners with exotic vets in need of care. They handle rabbits, iguanas, and all manner of other pets. They said rats weren't common, but they knew what to do.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

Things have taken a turn for the worse. He seemed to be getting better yesterday. I got home from work today and my boyfriend told me that he'd been listless and weak all day, and had lost his appetite. He won't even eat the nutrical supplement, which rats love.

I took him back to the vet, as he'd scratched his eye as well during the day. I got eye drops, but things don't look good. The only method of euthanasia for pets is injections, and with a rat that means directly into the heart. I begged them to give me ether or something similar so that he would just fall asleep, but they don't do that here, though the nurse agreed. They even called a vet in Seoul for advice, but he said no. Injections only.

I've got the guy here in bed, and am going to try antibiotics for a couple more days, because he's only on day 2 of 6 days of meds, but I think he's given up.

[Artris]

I know very little about rats, but have you tried peanut butter? He may have just lost his appetite because of the medication. If you can get him eating and he can make it through his regiment you may save him.

Another possibility is honey, but you should do some reading to make sure it is safe for rats.

[Globutron]

My sisters best friend at the time held one of our new baby guinea pigs, and the guinea pig baby moved, and she freaked out and shoved her hands in the air in panic, dropping the baby from human height of a 15 ish year old.

Paralysed the poor bugger. My mum would get up for 2 weeks every 30 minutes to feed it special stuff, but it died regardless.

What a waste of effort.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

He's dead. RIP Basil the Rat.

[Radius]

Sorry to hear that NYC.

[West Coast Tatterdemalion]

Yeah, sorry to hear about Basil, NYC Gal. It's always tough. My condolences.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

Thanks. Chonyeok's snuggling with me right now. I'll have to give him enough love for two. He even licked a few of my tears, the cutie.

[cyui]

Who's Cheonyeok?