A curious helath condition

Question
QUESTION: Hello,
I have a male fancy rat who is approximately 15 months old and has recently been having locomotive problems.  Particularly he is having more difficulty climbing and chewing then he used to have.  This is an problem that has had a quick onset.  Last August this guys (biological) father had a similar issue but it progressed much more quickly. After taking him to the vet who was unsure what the problem might be and treated him with antibiotics and pain medication he stopped eating even baby food and passed away two days later.  I have begun research to try and determine what might be causing it and was wondering if you had ever heard of this condition before.  I have owned a number of rats and these two are the first that I have ever encountered something like this.  I appreciate any help or advise you might be able to give me.  


ANSWER: Was he also unable to hold food with his front paws?

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QUESTION: I am not sure if he is unable to hold food completely but he does so infrequently.  He grips my fingers with his front paws but he does not seem to hold onto food the way he used to.

Answer
I am thinking he may have a small pituitary tumor on the base of his brain. If he is unable to chew well and cannot swallow good plus he has touble with his hind legs, this can mean he has a pituitary  tumor.  Please go to my website, Sandyscrittercity.com and check out the page on pituitary tumors.  Please let me know if this sounds like your rat after you go over the syo e