Caring for an Elderly Rat
October 9, 2009 by RatsRatsRats
Filed under Rat Care
Here are Some Tips on How to Look After an Old Timer Rat.
When your rat grows older, make sure you put aside extra time every day to look after him and tend to his needs.
Companionship
Companionship is very important, so continue to play with your rat (although perhaps, at a slower pace) for a couple of hours a day. Remember human company is not enough. If your pet’s, rat playmate has passed away consider adopting a couple of young rats (of the same sex) to accompany your older rat. It is always best to introduce more than one young rat, as this should result in less conflict. Check out the introducing rats to each other page for more info on this. An old lonely rat is a sad sight, as they are such sociable creatures, so make companionship a high priority.
Toys
As they grow older, rats are not so interested in toys. However, they still appreciate a cuddly hammock and are more likely to appreciate a cuddle with their owner.
Tumors
Older rats, especially females are rather prone to tumors. Check your rat every day for changes in health and if you spot any lumps or bumps take them to the vets. You may also be interested in finding out about homeopathy as a possible addition to veterinary treatment.
Even older rats,can survive under anesthetic, but there is a higher risk involved and you should consult your vet for advice. Try the anti-lump formula to try and prevent tumors.
A healthy diet of cereal, fresh fruit and veg is very important for optimum health.
Hind Leg Degeneration
Elderly rats will develop more of a waddling walk and their hind legs may eventually deteriorate. This can be caused by spinal trauma, or it can be hereditary. Either way don’t worry, with a few lifestyle changes your rat can continue to live a happy life.
Hind leg degeneration tends to effect males more than females. A good diet in the older rat can help to prevent this.
- A Vitamin B12 supplement given every day (50 micrograms a day)
- Glucosimine, sulphate and chondroitin can help.
- Flaxseed oil once a week will deliver omega 3 as well as essential fatty acids.
- Oats, wholewheat and bran are high in phosphates
All of the above can help any rat remain healthy, but are especially useful for an elderly rat with hind leg degeneration.
Your vet may prescribe steroids, but these are only really of short term benefit. The best time to use these, is if your rat is nearing the end of it’s life and the steroids will probably be accompanied with antibiotics. As your rat nears the end of it’s life you should do everything possible to make it happy and comfortable.
Many people have found that acupuncture can be a great help. It may be hard to track down an animal acupuncturist, but it can be a real relief for your ratty.
The acupuncturist will use BL40 Masterback, Hip point and Baihui points behind the knee. It is definitely an avenue worth considering.
Rats can learn to cope very well with this disability, with a little help from you.
Practical Care
If your rat is not as able bodied as he once was, you may need to transfer him to a single level rat cage.
He may need help with grooming himself, for example if your rat cannot use his back legs he will not be able to stand on them to groom his ears. Use a damp cotton ball to gently help him out.
He may also need a softer diet in a lower bowl and you may need to lower his water bottle, so that he can reach it.
It is a good idea to change the bedding to vet bed as your rat gets older, this will also help prevent respiratory disease. Put newspaper underneath and change it daily.
All in all
A relationship with an elderly rat can be a very rewarding thing, They are still so full of personality and mischief.
They deserve the best care you can give and they will give you so much in return.
Similar Pet Rat Info:
- Rat Health It is important to ensure that you give your pet...
- How to Double Your Pet Rat’s Life Span The only downside to keeping pet rats is that they...
- Surgery for Pet Rats There may be a time when your pet rat has...
- Rat Food Pet Rats really enjoy their food and by providing them...
- PetSmart Super Pet Deluxe for Exotics It can be hard to find a rat cage that...
My 3-year old, Shiloh, has good days & bad ones. I just treat her as I always have and try to give her extra hugs when I can.
She came from a reptile store & she has given me MUCH more in return than I could ever ask for. I’m blessed to have her company.
3 years is a great age for a rat – you must have done a good job, especially as she was from a reptile store (those poor little darlings don’t always have the best health). Well done for rescuing her. You must have wished you could take them all. I hope Shiloh has many more happy days with you and lots of cuddles!
i have 2 pet rats they are not that old but They were given to me. Their past owner did not feed them constantly or give them any attention but now that I have them sweetie(my 5 month old rat pure black)And Heroine(my Hooded Rat black and white age 4 months) they came from different breeders and sweetie had a lung infection but I cleared her up using herbal remadies I am still trying to get them to eat rat food but because of their old owner they will only eat Dog food! But i am getting there do you have any ideas to help? i love my pets and want them to live for a while!
Well done for adopting Sweetie and Heroine. It sounds like you are doing a great job. I would be really interested to know which herbal remedies you used to cure Sweetie of a lung infection. It is something many pet rats suffer from. As for the food issue, it is good you have got them eating something. Have your tried supplementing their diet with anything else?
By varying their diet you can ensure they get plenty of vitamins and hopefully they will start to try new things. Some ideas are grapes, bread and hummus, carrot sticks, sunflower seeds, weetbix, pasta, brown rice (this is very good for rats and can help them live longer). Take a look at our article on how to double your rat’s life span: http://www.ratsratsrats.com/184/double-pet-rats-life-span/ for more ideas.
Please let us know how things go? I wish you luck, but it sounds like you are doing a very good job.
Sadly my rat passed away last night, but he was ith us right until the end. He lived to a very surprising 3 and a half, and managed very well even though he lost the use of his hind legs. Even though this happened it didnt affect him and he still got around almost as well as when he was a youngster. I loved him very much and i have wonderful memories of him and the mischief he got upto.
I am so sorry for your loss Katy. You must have cared for your rat so well for him to have lived to 3 and a half. Animals seem to adjust so well to various disabilities and it sounds like your little guy coped just fine.
I know it is really hard when a little one passes away, but those memories will go a long way to bringing a smile back to your face.
My rat Possum is approaching three and he’s had a tumour on his side since after christmas that has gotten quite big. The vet advised against operating as he is old and, as the vet suspects, the tumour may be involving his liver which would make it inoperable. He’s deteriorated alot since then and there’s alot of blood in his urine, he’s still eating and drinking a little and still grooming as normal though and interacts a little with my other rats, however I’m thinking the time has come for euthanasia. I don’t want my little guy to suffer. Has anyone any advice it’s such a hard decision.
Hi Sally,
I am so sorry to hear about Possum’s tumor. I know how hard it is to contemplate this decision. Ginger suffered from a mammary tumor, but she managed very well for much of her life. The vet also advised me against going ahead with an operation (due to her age) and I spent a lot of time nursing her; helping her groom, giving her antibiotics and helping her eat and drink.
All the while she was still getting some joy out of life. Mr T (her husband) would groom her and she loved her food! She also loved being stroked.
One evening I checked on her and she was on her back. The tumor had made it hard for her to roll back over. At first I thought she was dead, but she was still breathing. In floods of tears I placed her in a well-bedded carrier (so she couldn’t hurt herself) and nursed her through the night.
In the morning it was time to call the vet. Ginger was such a fighter I knew she could go on for a couple more weeks, but she would be suffering. She was put to sleep and I stroked her head all the while talking to her and telling her of the relief she would soon feel.
It was very sad, but in the end I knew the time was right for Ginger to pass on. It is a very hard decision, but you seem to know Possum well and care for him deeply. If he seems to be in pain, or lacking quality of life I would consider euthanasia. A peaceful death could be the most wonderful release from a sick body.
Good luck with your decision x
Thanks for your comment it helped a lot:) It seems like Ginger had a lovely life which ended in such a peaceful way. I hope I can do the same for my little man. I will bring him to the vet tomorrow I think and see what they say. He\’s been on metacam drops which have run out so in the meantime I bought arsen. alb.tablets as seen on your homeopathic remedies page for ease of discomfort prior to death or euthanasia. I was wondering if you would have an idea of a safe dosage, Possum is about 400g wieght at the most now. Thanks again for your advice:)
I have only given arsen alb in liquid form. I used potency of 30c and added 2 drops of remedy (homeopathic dilution) to one litre water.
Shake well to ensure that the remedy is dissolved evenly. One dose is 1 table spoon of such water. I administered it using a little syringe. Give such three doses three times a day at a gap of 4 hours. Before giving a dose always shake well.
I do not have much experience giving tablets. What is the potency? If it is 6c you may want to give one tablet, three times a day (with a gap of 4 hours)
Good luck with the vets. I am sure they will advise you what to do.
Lots of cuddles to your little man,
Catherine
Thanks so much for all your advice I’ve been giving Possum the arsen alb for the last couple of days. They are the 6c tablets. I’ve been afraid to give three full tablets a day coz they’re human-sized tablets and he’s so tiny, so I started off crushing them and giving him a small portion each time but I’ve increased the dosage as I want to be sure he’s benefitting, and he doesnt seem to be showing any adverse reactions. If you think the 3 a day is a good dose I’ll increase it up to that. He’s on his way out anyway poor little guy and I don’t want him to be too uncomfortable, so to be honest I’d rather risk overdosing him than underdosing him…Hopefully it’s keeping him more comfortable while I observe him anyway and until I know whether or not he’s ready for the big hammock in the sky! I’ll have a vet look at him again this weekend I think. Thanks so much again and I’ll keep ye posted on him:) Binks to all the ratties out there:D
Possum is very lucky to have such a caring human! I admit human size tablets can be a bit off-putting. 3 time a day will be fine, as long as the process of giving the tablets doesn’t stress him out too much.
What did the vet say regarding Possum?
I brought Possum to the vet on friday and it was decided that the time had come to let him go. He had deteriorated a lot over the previous few days and it was the kindest thing to do and he went very quickly and without suffering. It was very difficult but at least he’s at peace. I gave him the full dose of the tablets during the last day and I hope it kept him comfortable. I still have two boys left and they seem to be coping well even though they miss their little buddy. Thanks again for all your advice and kind words I really appreciate it. I hope your ratties are all well:)
I am sorry for your loss Sally. Possum sounds like he couldn’t have asked for a better Mum! I am glad you have 2 ratties left. I am sure they will do their best to cheer you up with their mischievous ways. I just wish rats lived longer.
Sorry I don’t know why my previous comment came up twice again there! It’s true they just don’t live long enough, you get so much out of them in that time though:) Thanks again!
Aricia,
What herbal remedies did you use to cure your rats respiratory infection.
Thanks
Yes I would be interested in learning what natural remedies Aricia used as well. It would be great to use something in addition to the standard baytril/doxycycline meds.
We have had Izzy for 3 years now and she is one of the family. She has hardly been in her cage as I have a large brass plant pot as tall as the sofa and she has mainly lived in there with newspaper stuffed 3/4 way so she can climb in & out. Every week we have bought fresh meat and black pudding for her. She has been very quiet for a few weeks now and we thought it was just her age but we have known the inevitable would come this week as she is falling over, passing blood in her urine and has no energy. We have kept putting that dreaded phone call off all week but she was so bad when I came home tonight, sadly I am sat here waiting for her appointment at 7pm to be put to sleep. We were so hoping that she would pass away in her sleep but she has it too good with us as she has brought us so much pleasurs she is our baby. Rats make such fantastic pets and excellent companions. Bye Izzy and god bless xxx
I am so sorry to hear your news about Izzy. It sounds like she has been a wonderful companion and has had a very happy life with you. It is so hard to say goodbye, but you are doing the right thing by Izzy. Rats really are wonderful pets, if only they lived longer.
My rat, Rat, is about four years old. He’s been a hyper, arrogant, loveable little guy doing very well – until about a week ago. He was behaving oddly and I called the emergency vet. They told me not to bring him in because he was still eating. Within days, though, he couldn’t lift his food and he was dragging his back legs. I took him out and he would just curl up against my stomache and barely move. I thought he had a few hours to live. I’m a student, but I called in and didn’t go to class. I hand fed him grapes and got him to drink. I stayed with him for days, and we communicated so well – when he wanted me to carry him up a level, he would look at me and tap his paws twice. After a few days, by some odd miracle, he started to improve. I took him to the vet, and she gave me an anti-inflammitory. It’s been a few days and somehow he’s almost as good as before. I don’t think that’s a very common occurence – but I thought I should just share my little fighter’s story. I think, sometimes, attention and love can make a big difference with a sick rat – even if it really is the end.
Thank you for sharing Rat’s story. It sounds like you have showered him with love and the care he needs. Let’s just hope he continues to get better. It is lovely to hear of the way you two can communicate with each other. What a lucky boy he is to have such a caring human.
We have four ratties. Jeimuzu, Narnia, Kimi and Smudge. Jeimuzu, Narnia and Kimi are all brothers, my friend is a breeder, and Smudge we got at a later date. The three brothers are 2 yrs old, and have always been healthy, apart from Kimi got a syste on his tummy, which we emptied and kept clean and it soon healed. but today they were all on the sofa, and running all over their daddy on the sofa, and then he noticed that Jeimuzu wasnt joining in. so he picked him up and plonked him with the others on his tummy and he slid off, so he did it again, and it happened again, so we had a look at him and put him on the surface in the kitchen, and his front paws are in like fists but he does open them sometimes a little, and he is dragging his back legs behind him. i gave him some banana while sitting him in a blanket on my lap and held the water bottle near him and he drank some.. and he was eating some treat in the cage. but im really worried abt him and his legs. my friend said that it might be athritis, or hes had something happen in his sleep. or something like that. but i dont rly know wot to do, ive made everything easier for him, and im feeding him banana and other stuff and making sure hes getting water.. anything else?
Hi Chelle,
I am sorry to hear that Jeimuzu is not very well at the moment. It sounds like you are being a good nurse, but I think it is important you get him to the vets asap. They will be able to advise you on what best to do. He could have some spinal damage from an accident, or it could be to do with aging. Elderly rats can experience some spinal nerve root degeneration or they can become paralyzed after a stroke.
The vet may recommend vitamin B12 supplements daily and other B vitamins. Your ratty may always require extra special care, but it is important for the vet to check him out and see whether he is suffering and what you can do to help.
Good Luck and Lots of Ratty Kisses to Jeimuzu xxx
It’s me again, with the four-year-old Rat. He’s walking fine now, and was much improved until just a few days ago. This problem is entirely different. When he’s awake, he makes a contstant sqeaking noise, almost like a whimper – which worries me the most. Sometimes, when he breathes, he makes a sort of full, wet, popping sound like he’s got a runny nose. He keeps one eye squinted and keeps rubbing it every time he sneezes. I just don’t know what to do. I have no idea what this is, either. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated. I don’t want to put him down unless I’m absolutely certain he cannot improve and there is nothing better for him here.
- many thanks
Hi Anna,
Good to hear from you again. I am sorry to hear that Rat is not 100%. Is he on any antibiotics? I have seen rats with similar symptoms who have been suffering from a respiratory infection. This can be treated with Baytril and Doxycycline antibiotics. These can be quite effective. Without seeing Rat it is hard to know exactly what the problem is and I think the best thing to do would be to take him to the vets. If you need to find a good vet (as not all are sympathetic with rats) check out this page: http://www.ratsratsrats.com/144/finding-good-vet-pet-rat/
Hopefully the vet will prescribe some antibiotics and Rat should feel a bit better within a few days. The vet can also examine Rat’s eye and may be able to give him something soothing.
I will keep my fingers crossed for you and Rat and hope that he feels better soon. Thank goodness he has got a loving Mum to help him feel better.
Thank you so, so much! He has a good Vet that really knows a lot about rats and cares very much – when he was first so sick, she felt bad and said I had taken so much time and care for him that she didn’t charge me for his meds at all. He’s still on an anti-infammitory for his weak legs. He can’t go in for antibiotics until the business week begins, but you have made me feel so much better. He’s been not eating as much of the harder foods like his blocks, so every night I’ve been mixing up food for him. I’ve been trying to get him some balance, with things like cheese, peanut butter, bread, fruits, vegetables, yogurt/cream cheese, jam, crackers and that type of thing. He loves fruit and will devour a water-bottle lid of cream cheese as fast as he can…but is he getting enough nutrients and calories? Should I add anything like NutriCal and get his teeth trimmed in a while? I’m sorry for another long entry, but I’m worried about him, and he’s so important to me.I can’t think of anything I value more, and now that it’s summer and my college is out, I can spend as much time with him as he needs. Thank you again for all of your help and sympathy!
I am so happy you have found a wonderful vet. It makes such a difference. It sounds like you are a great nurse for Rat. I am glad to hear he is still enjoying his food. When Ginger was old I added Nutrical to her diet. I just put a little blob on my fingers and she would lick it off, because it is nice and sweet and it would help with her vitamins. As for having his teeth trimmed you would have to speak to your vet about that. She would have to weigh up any stress it causes with the benefits afterwards.
How lucky Rat is that now it’s your Summer holidays you can spend time with him. I hope he feels better soon xxx
Hey, it’s me again. I called Rat’s vet, but she can’t get him in until Friday morning. The eye that was swollen is now looking completely blinded – it’s clouded over, totally. I stay up for most of the night with him (right now, in my town, it’s 4:00am) to try to keep him safe, monitor how he’s doing, and keep him company. Tonight, he’s having a little trouble walking, and he’s making some sad little sqeaks. He’s still eating, though. He can’t support himself on his hind legs, so he’s been sort of tackling his food from the ground. He’s moved entirely down to the first level of his cage, and I’ve moved everything he needs down there. He’s still fighting and likes to eat sweet foods and fruit, and he seems to enjoy being petted, held and read to. I’m just so worried. I’ve had him for so long. What can I do for him until Friday morning to keep him comfortable and help him out??? If he needs anything special, we don’t have any specialty pet shops anymore, just a basic pet chain with some typical supplies. I can definitely try to make anything or buy anything we have, though.
-thanks so much, again, for all of your kind help and advice
Hi Anna,
I am sorry to hear Rat is still not feeling well. Did you tell the vet it is an emergency? Are there any other vets in your town, or in nearby towns that could help you? It sounds like you are doing a great job of nursing Rat and I know what you are going through. When Summer was ill she would always seem to get worse at night, when I couldn’t get her to the vet, so I would sit up with her too worried to sleep.
It sounds like Rat has an eye infection and will need antibiotics in the form of a cream to apply to the eye, or an oral antibiotic. If you cannot get Rat to the vet until Friday perhaps you could try describing Rat’s symptoms to the vet over the phone and then go in and collect the antibiotics. I did this when Mingles had a respiratory infection. Make it clear to the vet that it is very serious and needs immediate attention.
You can gently bathe with a soft cloth soaked in warm water. Sweep the cloth across his eye from the inside out. I am sure you are already ensuring Rat is eating and drinking plenty. When Ginger was ill I assisted her by letting her drink/eat mushed up food from a noodle spoon. A vitamin gel like Nutrical is also a good idea.
How is his breathing? Are the squeaks related to difficulty breathing? If this is the case there could be a respiratory infection and you could ask for Baytril and Doxycycline from the vet to keep you going until Friday.
I know it is hard when a beloved pet is suffering, but it sounds like Rat couldn’t ask for a better nurse. I think you should keep giving him all that love and attention and call the vet to make it really clear to her that it is an emergency.
Good Luck Anna. I will be thinking of you and Rat xxx
Thanks, again. He’s deteriorated a bit over the last day. He’s having a hard time walking. He’s still eating all of his food, but not really drinking much – so I’ve been giving him watermelon, yogurt and grapes for water. I tried to give him water with a syringe, but he wouldnt’ take it. He didn’t even want to come out of his cage this morning. He’s just been sleeping – but the sqeaking and coughing actually seems to have improved over the last two days. Sometimes he just seems like he’s almost dead, but when I talk to him, his ears perk up and when I put my hand by him in his cage, he’ll snuggle up against it. I’ll call my vet when they open tomorrow; she’s the only small/exotic animal vet we have- we’re a small town and with a lot of horses and cows, so pet rats aren’t paid much attention. I just have that feeling that I wish I could do more. Thank you so much, and I will try those things.
Good Luck Anna. It sounds like you are doing everything you can and keeping Rat comfortable. Let me know how it goes,
Love Catherine x
Rat has almost entirely stopped coughing on his own. The main problem now is his eye, which he tried to scratch away and punctured. The vet gave him antibiotics that she said will help his eye and help his coughing. However, she thought the eye was probably really bothering him, so she suggested getting it removed. She said it was a relatively short and simple procedure and she had done it before with no problems. The eye is just shreds, as of yesterday, and he keeps scratching at it. She said that it would make him much more comfortable. The vet saw him today and got me in for it as soon as she could, and I’m going in Monday morning. She has operated on many rats and she said any risks were lighter than leaving him with the punctured eye. It’s kind of expensive, but I told her it didn’t matter. I just hope it all goes well and he feels better for the remainder of his time here.
Hi Anna,
Well I am glad Rat is feeling a bit better overall, but I am sorry about his eye. It must be irritating him so much. Poor little Rat. Well done about the operation it will make him feel so much better. Vets can be very expensive can’t they? Well, you are doing everything you can to help Rat and that is the important thing.
It annoys me when people think of rats as cheap pets and then refuse to pay vets bills. The fact is these people should realise the cost of a nice cage and vets bills do mount up. I am glad you value your little guy as much as I do my rats.
I wish you so much luck and love for Monday. I know operations can be nerve wracking with such a small animal, but it sounds like the only option. I will be thinking of you and Rat and crossing my fingers that all goes well. Please let me know how it turns out.
Love Catherine x
Rat’s surgery went great. He looks fantastic. When he was in surgery, I wandered through the grocery looking for foods he likes. He came home, and didn’t even go to sleep right away. He seemed like he felt great. He was washing his face, and running around and sniffing the air. The vet thought the eye might have been causing him a lot of problems and to not eat hard foods, and when he got home he started chomping up his blocks again. I opened his cage to give him food and he walked right out and started running around and playing. He just looks so much for comfortable and happy. I’m so glad he got the surgery. He’s acting like his old self again.
Thank goodness! I am so relieved and happy for you. What a fighter he is! It must be such a relief for you to see Rat back to his old self. Well done.
I hope some one reads this, I have an older rat, her name is Roz and she is the sweetest rat I have ever known, she developed tumors and I had them removed, twice, they came back plus some. she still eats and drinks, but is having a bit of trouble with her back legs. I will have her put down when things change but it really makes me sad. I have heard of how rats are put to sleep and wonder if there is a better way. please let me know
Hello Alice,
I am sorry to hear that your rat Roz has been unwell. It sounds like you have been a very caring nurse.
It is very sad to think about euthanasia, but you are wise to think about it now, so that when the time comes you will be prepared. Euthansia translated means good death and that is what we would seek to provide a suffering pet. To ensure your pet does not suffer it is essential to find a really good vet. Do not be afraid to ask your vet lots of questions. This page may help you with that: http://www.ratsratsrats.com/144/finding-good-vet-pet-rat/
When it comes to the actual euthanasia you will need to ensure that your vet is as humane as possible. This is taken from the rat and mouse gazette: ‘Making euthanasia pain free is as simple as insisting that your pet be anesthetized using an inhalant anesthesia prior to being given any fatal injections. A fatal injection may not even be necessary if the rat or mouse is given an overdose of the anesthesia.’
You should also ensure that the inhalant anesthesia your vet uses does not hurt your rats eyes. Just ask them lots of questions.
Hopefully you will have more happy time with Roz, before you will have to make this decision. I will be thinking of you x
Rat died. He went at home, at least. I was away, and my mother was taking good care of him. I just thought it would be okay, because he was doing so well and it was only 15 days. While I was studying in Germany, though, he passed. I feel terrible. I don’t know if I should have gone. I just hope he didn’t think I abandoned him. I think he knew I was coming back, but it was just his time. I don’t know, I’m heartbroken. He was my friend, and it’s just so different without him. I think it’s hard for everyone to understand why I’m so upset over “just a rat.” I just don’t know what to do without him.
Thank you again for all of the time and advice for us through all of this.
Hello Anna,
I am so sorry to hear about Rat. You did everything you could for him and gave him all the love and care in the world. It is heart breaking that he has passed away, especially as you couldn’t be there, but you must remember what a good life you gave him and that your mother was giving him excellent care whilst you were away. My little rat Summer passed away when I was in the UK last year and I felt awful. I was sad and guilty for not being there, but it is important to focus on good memories. What a lucky little rat Rat was to live his life with you so happily.
Give yourself time to grieve Rat and don’t let others tell you that it is wrong to be upset over your loss. To them he may be ‘just a rat’, but to you he was a friend.
Thinking of you
Catherine
hello. my rat susan is just about 2.5years old and lately she has been showing rapid signs of aging. i have a multilevel cage which she shares with two other little girls, and although i have lowered the levels significantly, she still tends to fall every so often. i’ve also noticed she has a tremendous amount of trouble holding her food, because her hands cross like an X, making her unable to grab and hold onto hard foods. it gets stuck on her face and on her neck. i started hand feeding her and feeding her baby foods, but she’s a mess and walks through the plate of mush, getting the food everywhere. i clean her daily and make sure she eats multiple times a day.
other than that, she’s still got spunk! its not that she’s sleeping in a corner all day- she’s active, but she’s super wobbly, falls over a lot, and can’t handle food, which makes me worry that she’s hungry when i’m not there to feed her.
i’m really worried about her. i did a lot of research, but i can’t understand the crossed hands, preventing her to eat. i read a lot about hind leg deterioration, but it seems the deterioration is happening in the front legs.
i’m really sad. i love her so much, and although i know she’s getting older, and i know her time may be limited, i still want her to be comfortable while she’s still here.
do you have any ideas on why her hands are crossing, preventing her to eat on her own? i want my baby to be able to eat when i’m not there.
thank you
Hello,
I am sorry to hear Susan is not very well. The best thing to do would be to take her to the vet asap. Being wobbly can be a symptom of an inner ear infection which would need to be treated with antibiotics immediately. My little rat Pea displays similar symptoms when she is dealing with a respiratory infection, which can also be checked by the vet.
You should change to a single level cage to prevent injury from falling over. It sounds like you are doing a great job at nursing Susan and I know you care for her very much, so taking her to the vet will help put your mind at ease and hopefully will bring her relief too.
Good Luck
Hello,
We have a dearly loved elderly rat, Amelia, who has two increasingly huge mammary tumors that are becoming hard for her to manage. Lately, off and on her breathing is a little puffy and her hind legs are not strong anymore (muscle atrophy? related to the tumors?), so we now have to pick her up and move her around her pen to give her a change of scenery. Yet she seems still to derive quite a bit of enjoyment out of her life. She is still alert, affectionate and bright-looking, she still enjoys her baths and blowdrys and she still loves lying on a fuzzy blanket on our laps as we work or watch TV. She still boggles her contentment and looks up when she hears my voice. We are all going to be asbsolutely heartbroken when she dies (we lost her cagemate last year, an adorable Dumbo rat, Lotte, who battled mycoplasm for most of her life. My husband’s allergies prohibited us from bringing home a new friend for Amelia, so we’ve all tried to fill in). My question is, is there a more humane way to euthanize an ailing rat than what our vet uses, which is to gas it to sleep and then do a lethal heart injection? Our guinea pigs hated the smell of the gas, and sick and all as they were, they fought it hard even though they were very sick and weak by the time they were put to sleep. Amelia is disabled and beginning to ail now. None of us want her to get to the true suffering stage, but the thoughts of taking this mentally alert, intelligent, gentle, adorable, trusting and dearly loved family member in to be held in the gas is quite heartbreaking. Is there no nicer or kinder way to put a little rodent to sleep?
Thank you for any input.
Oh my gosh, thank you so much! My rat is about 3 and a half years old, and his lgs have started to drag slightly and he walks differently and i wasn’t at all sure what was going on, but this has reassured me that it is just his old age! I wish his legs weren’t dragging, but it doesn’t stop him being cheeky and running off to explore everywhere. I will definitely be using these tops to help him out! Thank you!
Hello Patricia,
Thank you for your comment. I am sorry to hear your little one is ill. Ginger, one of my first ratty friends suffered with a mammary tumour and like your rat she did very well until eventually it started to effect her quality of life.
Euthanasia is always a hard thing to deal with, but it is lovely that you are making the effort to ensure Amelia will not suffer. I am so annoyed at myself because I can’t remember the name of the gas my vet uses, but it is the same one used to put them to sleep before surgery. It does not seem to cause any suffering and makes them unable to feel the needle.
Ask your vet for the most humane way to put your little girl to sleep, as they should be able to advise you which gas your pet won’t be able to feel.
Best wishes
I have 2 ratties, a tiny little hairless, davey, and his beastly big brother, roscoe. I got them at a pet store, was told that they were 3 or 4 months when i got them, but i wonder if that is the case with davey. he was 8 oz when i got him, last january, he only ever got to 12 oz. roscoe is now 22 oz. my problem is that davey seems so frail of late, still plays and eats, and hasn’t lost wt but looks as though he has,his little bones stick out. he also was always so warm to touch, the past several wks he is so cold to touch. i had him neutered, roscoe is not. so I don’t know if my little davey is ill or perhaps much older than i know. no s/s of other illness. are the hairless rats just frail and small by nature? my gd-daughters and i love them so much! thanks in advance for any advice.
Hello Kathy,
The best idea is to take Davey to the vet. That way they can check his overall health and give him the necessary treatment. Hairless can be prone to getting chilled, which can then lead to respiratory infection so be sure that he has plenty of bedding to snuggle into. You should ensure he is eating and that Roscoe isn’t eating all the food. Davey needs some extra calories as the body fat will help keep him warm. Perhaps you could place 2 bowls in separate areas of the cage so that they can both access food easily.
You could try giving Davey a vitamin boost by supplementing his diet with Nutrical, a caramel tasting vitamin gel usually meant for cats and dogs. You only need a pea sized amount to give him a good boost. You can also get vitamin drops for small animals to add to the water.
Is there any bullying going on? Or do the rats seem to get along well?
Be on the lookout for any other signs of ill health such as red porphyrn around the nostrils or a change in breathing or lack of appetite, which may help us diagnose the problem. I would advise taking Davey to the vet as by examining him they should be able to help you.
Good Luck
Thank you for the feedback regarding euthanisia. I guess gas followed by heart injection is still the only humane option for a little rodent, as their veins are too small to inject, and I guess the fact that the gas has an odour is a safer for the vets using it. It just takes a bit of courage to do this for your rattie.
Edith, I’ve read that old rats often get a kind of hindleg paralysis that originates in their spinal cords and goes hand in hand with aging. In spite of it being sad to watch, they are indomitable little souls and as long as you continue to see the cues that your little guy is still enjoying life, I think we can just carry on with our beloved old-timers until we think their quality of life is too poor. You must have been taking very good care of him, since three and a half is a venerable age for a rat. Good luck with your little fellow.
Thanx for your prompt response. I have made an appt for Davey, will feel better, like you said, when he is properly assessed. I see no bullying, they both feed together and other than an occasional tussle over a mini oreo cookie, their daily indulgence, they are side by side foraging for their favorite bits. I give them Reggie Rat as well as several lab blocks daily. Also the girls and i enjoy handfeeding daily. They love cream cheese. That’s what baffles me so, I see no change in his feeding or their daily routine, he is just so cool to touch and fading away.No nasal or eye disch, lungs seem clear. He does “hiccup” a lot, though. I don’t notice Roscoe doing that. Very sad. I am a geriatric RN and see the same in my human patients, that’s why I questioned if he really was as young as the chain pet store said. I’ll keep you posted. Thanx for the wonderful, informative and entertaining webite!
Hello again Patricia,
I am unsure of the name of the gas, but there is a gas that has no smell, which your vet can use although they may have to order it in. Hopefully the vet will be able to inform you of the name of the gas,
Best wishes x
Good luck Kathy. Please let me know what happens x