I think my rat may have a brain tumor

Question
QUESTION: Hi Sandra,

I have two lovely pet rats who mean the world to me - Trix and Bubs. I got them both in February of this year, and from what I was told at the pet store, both boys were about 6 months at the time (if this was accurate or not, I will never know).

I recently went on a trip, and the day before I left, I noticed that one of the rats, the slightly larger of the two, Bubs, had a head tilt, or almost a kink in his neck. Reluctantly, I dropped my rats off at the sitter and let her know about his issue, and to keep an eye on it or let me know if any changed occurred. Also, before I left, I noticed a scab in his side. While it was healing, another had formed on his face. Both have healed since though.  
While away, my rat sitter told me that Bub's tilt had gotten much worse while I was gone. When I had finally gotten home, I was very surprised at the change I had seen in just two weeks, but after just a couple days with him, his tilt began to get much better. Thinking that this may have been a brain tumor, I decided to change their food to cut out selective eating. It has been about 2 weeks since I have changed my boys food, and they seem to be doing great with it, and Bub's tilt has continued to get better. But tonight, out the the blue, I noticed that Bubs was limping and dragging along his back right leg. I felt around the area for any lumps, but found nothing. And, he didn't have any issues with me investigating the area. I am now very worried, and plan on seeking veterinary care as soon as possible, but I live in a very small community, and it will be about 12 days until a vet will be available to see him.

Do you have any suggestions, or ideas as to whether or not my hunch may be correct?

Thank you for your time,

Felicia

ANSWER: Hmmm...this is a tough question since head tilt can also be associated with an inner ear infection.  The limp would not be from the brain tumor but more like some type of injury, although weakness and dragging the leg may be neurological.  Its hard to say though. How is he doing as of this writing?

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QUESTION: His back leg seems to have gotten a little better, but he drags it off and on, and just doesn't use it like he always has.. he's very light on it. I also noticed that one of his eyes is much more bulgy than the other, and have found another scab around his face. Today he seems great though - hyper, and happy to see me when I got home, but yesterday seemed very lethargy and spent the entire day and night sleeping. He didn't even want to come out to play when Trix was out. I assume the vet will give him some antibiotics if it were an inner ear infection? And if it were a brain tumor, is there often anything that can be done as in surgery or medication?

Also, another quick question, Trix has always seemed to be the more aggressive rat. He has a wonderful personality, but I feel that he sometimes bullies Bubs. I know that they like to establish dominance, but it seems like Bubs gets pushed around and pinned much more than Trix. Is it alright to just put my hands between them to seperate them when Trix is so aggressive, even during grooming, or should I just let them do their thing? I know this is their nature, but I just don't like to see one rat get pushed around.

Thank you,

Felicia

Answer
The scabs on the rats face, is there is mass under the scab? I am wondering if they are not abscesses from being bitten. Try to pick the scab and see if there is pus under the scab. This may be what is going on as far as that goes. The dragging of the leg could still be anything from neurological disturbances to an injury from scrapping with the other rat. Hind leg weakness in elderly rats is not unusual (see my site, sandysrcittercity.com for more info on this under the ELDERLY RAT topic)  but he is too young for this, although since we do not know anything about their genetics, its just impossible to know what he may have inherited from his parents etc...  
If there is a brain tumor, sadly it cannot be removed, not with rats. Medication such as steroids can help with inflammation though but there is not much else that can be done. I am a bit concerned about the bulging eye though, but this again could be from an inner ear infection too, not just a pituitary tumor.  Is the head tilt gone?

As for their wrestling...it is soooooo annoying, I know. Boys LOVE and I do mean LOVE to scrap. My three baby rats who are just now turning 4 months LOVE to mount each other from behind, and it is so hysterical really, because one rat mounts the other and moves real fast, almost like a cartoon whos speed was made to go faster, and does it for just a second or two and jumps off and they chase each other around, roll around, stand up and circle each other and sometimes all three are in a ball, rolling around the rat room.  It usually stops once one of the boys squeak, but I do worry they may get too rough.  I also break it up sometimes but let them figure it out most of the time.  I must warn you about putting your hands between them when they are doing this and again, this is my own personal experience, but about 7 years ago two of my three boys were really fighting and I mean they were truly and seriously going at it. Dumb me trie to break it up and let me tell you, I got bit not once but TWICE and OMG did it hurt like crazy. I cried. I cried because my feelings were so hurt because I couldnt believe my rat would bite me and bite me big time.  It was swollen, painful and hurt for days. They have 10lbs of pressure in their bite (an adult rat) so I would hate to tell you to break it up.  I make noise. I clap my hands, whistle or simply say NO!  My babies already know their own names and know darn well what NO means and listen to me when I command it. You can even take some pennies or any type of change, put it in a can and shake it when they do something that you dont want them to do.  Also, how much time out of the cage do they get for play time and how large is their cage?