Sudden onset of weekness in my rats hind legs

Question
QUESTION: Hi I have a 16 month old male rat called Teddy. Up until 4 days ago he was fine no indication of weakness in his back legs getting around fine so it was a shock to find he was having trouble moving his back legs one day. He is eating, drinking and seems very happy. I took him to the vet the same day I noticed this and he was given an injection (Voren)to help him. The vet believes it could be one of the following a tumour, spinal degeneration, pinching nerve from an injury. He said that the injection will last 4 days and if there is no improvement to put him to sleep, well he is due to go back to the vet on Tuesday 15th September 2009. He has shown some very minor improvement and he can still move his tail so I will not be making the decision to put him to sleep on Tuesday as I want to give him more time. Is there a chance that this could be a temporary fix with the injections, will he get worse, is there any other treatments I can try for him? I will spend whatever time and money is needed to help him. He currently lives with three litter brothers. The vet I go to is very good with rats and has had quite allot of experience with them. Putting Teddy to rest is an absoulute last resort and if he is in any pain or uncomfortableness I will not have him live an unhappy life just to fill my needs of not wanting to feel the pain of losing him.

ANSWER: Hi Amanda

He seems a bit young for this to be hind leg paralysis but nothing shockes me really, I dont usually go by text book anyhow since most things are not exactly as we read and learn about.

He may have even had a stroke, again, young for it, but possible.

As for putting him to sleep, I do appreciate your saying that you do not want him to be unhappy just to spare yourself the pain of losing him. That is a very unselfish and very loving statement you made, and very true. Many people want to hold on to their pets because we cant stand the thought of losing them. Not long ago someone wrote to me saying I was "mean" to suggest euthanasia by a vet and they prefer to let the rat die on its own. That is also not fair, esp if the rat is having trouble breathing and suffocates to death. Euthanasia is an unselfish act, although something we dont like to consider unless its the last resort.
Hind leg paralysis is caused by spinal degeneration, often caused by arthritis and nerve damage that is irreversible.  We can help them be comfortable, first by using anti-inflammatory, NSAIDS like metacam or childrens motrin, and later, steroids.  We can put them in a smaller single story cage to keep them from having to climb the ramps and also to prevent falls, and keep their food and drink near them. We can help bathe their backside if they cant groom well and even assist with feeding if they cant balance properly to prop themselves up to eat like they are used to doing.  This in no way means they lack quality of life, but just have to have changes made to accommodate their aging bodies.  A rat in pain loses interest in life, in food...in interacting with their owner; doesnt like to come out or be held much, stops bruxing and boggling their eyes.....but even if you see the tail fall limp, their backside seems to take on a more prominent appearance, almost boney looking, this still doesnt mean they are suffering. You will know though, and only you will know, you and your rat, that is.  
The treatments  to try are on my website on the page about caring for elderly rats. A reader wrote in and shared a recipe she has using a dietary supplement that has helped her rats with this problem...  Please read about it, see what you think.  Let me know......here is the URL below:

http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/careoftheelderlyrat.htm

Also, it still could be from an injury....but time will tell. I hope so!!

I look forward to your reply/follow up.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Sandra I have made the appropriate changes required for Teddy and will be getting the supplements tomorrow for him to try, and hopefully with our hopes and prayers he will once again be having his nightly walk around. He went to the vet and was given another shot of Voren today but I will do what evers necessary for this little boy, his name says it all. Thanks for your quick reply I will update you after I have given the supplements enough time to hopefully get some results. Thanks heaps.

Answer
Hopefully the Voren helps esp a second dose.

One thing I forgot to mention:  When my rats become older and lost the use of their hind legs, I was lucky enough they used a litter pan, so I made sure all the litter was picked up and in the pan and the bottom of the cage was plastic.  They would propel around real fast on the plastic floor of the cage real fast. It was pretty funny to see them go around like that. I think they thought it was fun. I had one area lined with fleece for them to cozy up in, the other part was plastic so they would propel like little motorized rats around the cage bottom.