Help! Sick rat - no vet - any ideas?

[Downamongtherednecks]

My dd's white rat is sick - it's 18 months old. Sitting miserably alone, sort of fluffed up looking, and breathing very heavily, sides sinking in deeply. Eyes half open. I've scrubbed out the cage in case there were mites, and I persuaded her to eat some yoghurt. Only have shredded paper as bedding, so not cedar or pine or anything harmful. We don't have access to a small animal vet here (rat is a rehomed 'feeder' rather than a proper fancy rat). Anyone have any ideas what I can do? Greatly appreciated...

[readysteady]

Sorry to hear about your rat. Why can't you take her to a vet?

Sounds respiratory related is there any discharge around her eyes and nose?

All you can do is make her comfortable, nice warm nest and a cuddle if she wants it. Has she drank at all?
:(

[Downamongtherednecks]

Our vet doesnt "do" small animals. And we are frighteningly rural, so would be a very long drive to find another vet, which I think might terrify her. Rat is drinking, but no discharge. She seemed to perk up after the yoghurt, but now back to sitting and staring...

[Downamongtherednecks]

Thanks everyone. I will start phoning around for a small animal vet. I love that you have a rat-sitter tori !

[PixieofCatan]

Did you find anybody? Poor thing :( Sounds like it definitely needs a vet. How long have you had her?

Also, RE sitting alone, is there any chance you can get another pair? She'll need to be well but a lonely rat is not a happy rat?