My Rate Fern

Question
Hi there I have just taken my Rat to the vet andd its heart breaking for me to ask you this as tragicly she has been put to sleep, I have read a quest that has been asked to you, it was the one about the three year old rat with the tumor on the brain that affected the organs and the limbs.

My rat was a female called fern a white one with black eyes, she was one year old. She also had similar symptoms such as flopping on one side, and being dizzy, the thing I am worrid about is that Fern lived with another female rat who is the same age as her, but Willow who lived with my rat who has just been put to sleep, is stunted for her age, she is a little bit bigger than a hampster.

My main concern is will she go through what Fern has just gone through because I dont know if it is contagouse or not please if you can help me as I dont want to lose another family member.

Thankyou
Amanda

Answer
I am sorry you lost your rat.  How long was she treated before she was put down? She was pretty young to have developed a tumor on the pituitary gland, which is on the stem of the brain.
I need to know first if she may have had an infection first rather than a tumor on the brain. An inner ear infection can also cause the same symptoms such as head tilt, rolling and flipping when  trying to walk. Antibiotics and steroids usually treat it but it can take a week for the symptoms to go away.  If it was a brain tumor, they lose the use of their front paws and their back legs may also become weak.  Did this occur with your rat that you had put to sleep?

I need to know if it was infection first before we can know if it is catchy which is why I asked what type of medications were used to treat her before putting her to sleep and also if she was able to use her front paws or not.