Seizures and Self Mutilation

Question
Hello Sanda, I first wanted to say thank you for everything that you do for us rat owners, it really is something special.

Now, I have quite a story for you and I hope you can help me to understand my little boy.

His name is Quinn and he is a 1.5 year old male dumbo rat. Last march he had suffered from a very severe ear infection that almost took his life. Luckily for him, I had a wonderful vet that devoted much time and energy into helping my little Quinn recover. Despite the fact that he survived the ear infection, he was left with a permanent head tilt.

Now, almost 8 months later, he has been experiencing some very strange symptoms. A couple of weeks ago I had notice he was having what seemed to be a panic attack. He was in one of his boxes and he was jumping around in terror. I took him out, and calmed him down and that was it. About a week later it happened again, in that same box. I figured it was the box that had scared him, maybe it was too dark and he became disoriented and panicked. So I removed the box. He went three weeks without the 'panics' so I figured he was better.

Well, a few nights ago I saw him having a seizure. He would bring his paws to his face and 'scratch' the air while rolling around over himself. After it ended, I picked him up and comforted him. He seemed unaware of his surroundings for a good ten minutes, then went back to normal.

Now last night he did something very strange. I was up late writing a term paper, and had finally decided to shut the lights off and go to bed. Almost instantly after I shut the lights off I heard squeaks coming from his cage. I flipped the light back on and saw him grooming himself, and turning in circles. He wasn't have a seizure, he just seemed disturbed. When he was grooming himself it looked like he was in pain. So, I got up, took him out to see what was going on and I noticed he was bleeding.

The source of blood was coming from his tail. He was not grooming himself, he was chewing on his tail. He had bitten off all of the surrounding flesh of the tip of his tail. About 1/4 of an inch of bone was exposed. I tried my best to clean it up, but was unsure of what to do next. The bleeding stopped, and he calmed down. I put him back in the cage, and am looking at him now and he seems fine. My vet is closed today, so I'm going to have to take him in sometime this week. What could be wrong with him? Panics, seizures, and now self mutilation... I'm so worried about my little guy, I don't want him to get worse...what can I do?

Answer
First of all I have to say I am soooo sorry for the delay in response.  I have been going through a very bad time in my personal life and just now finally have gotten it in order (my self and my rats have embarked on a new adventure in life) so I am very behind on my questions and I am answering them in the order of the more serious problems first, which I feel yours needs addressed very quickly.

Your little rat may have a form of epilepsy that can lead to self mutilitaoin.  I would ask the vet right away about getting your rat on something such as valium or even phenobarbitol.  It is safe for rats and will not cause heavy sedation due to their fast metabolic rate.  If you need more help about this please let me know but I do think this is what is happening.