Sick Pet Rat

Question
Hi, My daughter's pet rat has been acting strangely for a day or so.  She is not very active, does not use her front paws to eat, and falls over when she tries to stand on her hind legs to groom herself.  While she does not use her front paws to eat she can use them to walk.  I know it could be a pituitary tumor, but I am hoping it is just an ear infection...could that be the case even though she has stopped using her hands to eat?  Also, I have had difficulty locating a vet that treats rats in Chandler, AZ.  Thanks for your advice.

Answer
It does sound like a PT for sure, but you know, sometimes when a rat is not well in general they stop feeding themselves.  It of course is worth treating it as infection rather than assume its a tumor on her pituitary gland although symptoms point to that.  If, after she is properly treated for ear infection and doesnt respond or continues to worsen despite aggressive antibiotic and steroid therapy, it would be safe to assume it was a PT.  No need to race to euthanize, either. I know of a few rats that are doing quiet well on steroids and they have a PT. They just need to continue the prednisone and adjust it accordingly. This is not always the case, and the rat can decline rapidly.  When dealing with a PT, once the rat can no longer chew or swallow and becomes so weak they cannot even move from one area, the kindest action of course, would be to let them go.
If you want, I can call the clinics below and see which one would be better suited to treat your girl. Just because they are exotic clinics doesnt always mean they have a strong link to treating rodents, but in most cases, these places do. Let me know if you want me to call for you. I wont give names, of course, but will simply ask about their protocol with treating pet rats and see who is better suited and is not going to rob you blind the second you walk in the door. With it being the holiday weekend, however, I am not sure who will be in  today and who will be closed. I am in southern Florida, EST so the times will be different so please let me know soon if you want me to call. Please also refer to my website, Sandyscrittercity.com and refer to the page on pituitary tumors for more information and photos.


Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic of Arizona Exotic
Address:  7 E Palo Verde St.
Gilbert AZ 85296
480-706-8478         
From what I understand this clinic is just 10 minutes from your location and the clinic in Mesa is 20 minutes away.


The BETTER CHOICE below, and the vet named, Dr. Kevin Wright,  was Exotic Vet speaker of the year for 2009 and was also named EXOTIC DVM OF THE YEAR for 2008, which is a real true honor!

Dr. Kevin Wright
Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital :
744 N. Center St.
Mesa AZ 85201
480-275-7017      


General vet clinic below that sees exotics but are NOT exotic certified:

Alta Mesa Animal Hospital
 6704 E. Brown Road
 Mesa AZ 85205
 480-981-1244