Weight-loss

Question
QUESTION: Hi Sandra,

My pet rat Gonzo has recently lost about 100g in weight over about 2-3weeks. He was over-weight to begin with (according to the vets) and he lost the weight whilst we were away on holiday and my friend was looking after him and his brother (who hasn't lost any). Since we have been back he has been very over active and running around like a mad thing when he is out and does not seem to sleep much when in his cage during the day unlike the other one. Because of his activeness he also seems to be drinking more water than he usually does. He is not underweight by any stretch as he now weighs around 800g, but it seems a lot of weight to loose over a short period of time and there doesn't seem to be a reason for his extra energy either.

He is eating all right although I do not think that it is as much as the other one as he is quite a picky eater anyway when is comes to fruit and veg etc.

I was just wondering if you thought that there may be an underlying health problem?

Many Thanks

Anderley

ANSWER:
Weight loss with increased water consumption can point to kidney disease, esp if he is not urinating as much as he is drinking.

Usually though, weigh loss is gradual, but with rats, nothing shocks me. I never go totally by "classic text book" because symptoms can vary from rat to rat, depending on many things.

One reason rats suffer from kidney disease is due to diet high in proteins and fats, esp high proteins.  This is usually from seed mixes that pet stores push on rat owners.  What kind of diet has he had and how old is he?

He is a big boy, and being nearly 2 pounds is pretty big, but he may have a big frame, unless you tell me he has lots of rolls. My males also weigh around 700 to 800 grams, but take two hands to hold and are very long, large boys.   Losing 100 grams is alot though, and even if he needed to shed a bit of weight, 2 weeks is a short time to lose that much weight.

I would have the vet check him.  He needs some blood work done and also
the vet needs to palpate the kidneys. Diseased kidneys usually feel hard and have an abnormal shape which may indicate scarring.

This doesnt mean he indeed has it, but it is not something to push aside.


You can read more about it here:

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

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

QUESTION: Hi Sandra,

Thanks for your advice, both of my rats are large and quite solid! I feed them on a homemade mix of; mixed lentils, 3 different types of bran, puffed wheat (not sugar coated or anything), puffed rice (again health store brought) and rat nuggets that you get from the pet shop. This is all mixed up and they have a constant amount of it in their cage. They also get 2portions of fruit or veg a day once in the mornning and once in the evening, (this usually is potato, carrot, apple, banana, plum) OR a hard boiled egg or pasta. These portions are usually a small pet bowl amount for both of them.

He is about 1year 4months old. He also doesn't have seem to lost any weight since we have been home either. Do you think the stress of us not being here may have affected him?

I will book the vets appointment, do you think that their diet may have been the cause?

Thank you

Anderley

Answer
The diet looks good.  I dont see a reason for weight loss from the diet.

Maybe it was the stress from not being home, but the weight loss is significant enough to warrant some checking. I would book the vet appointment as long as your sure the vet is up to par with rat care. If not, you will be wasting your money.