rats hind legs

Question
hi someone asked you a question on 1/3/09 about rats hind legs and my rat has the same problem but the wasn't a full answer

My rat Splinter is about 2 years old i found her wandering outside the bar i work at ... don't worry she is a domestic rat and been healthy and active for ages but the past month shes been off, so i looked up her symptoms and it points to mycoplasmosis and her back legs are dragging abit too,
so I took her to the vet to have her checked out she's weak and only ways 270g and i got some baytril to use twice a day ive just got her home and gave her, her first douse and i will have to wait to see how she go's

about the dragging back feet when she tries to walk,
her sides sink in when she breaths,
she hangs over shelves and out of tube when she sleeps (but shes always done that)
her paws and legs look there normal light pink colour

what can i do about her legs
and whats the best thing to feed her to fatten her up?

cheers  

Answer
Even if Splinter were a wild rat, I have no problem with people keeping them as pets. I had one named Holly who I loved for nearly 4 years and when she died, I lost one of the best rats I have ever had. She was awesome!

That said, does your girl sound congested?  Does she tire easily?

She should be on other drugs if she has a respiratory infection such as steroids to help inflammation in her lungs and also something to help her breathe such as albuterol.

If she isnt eating good (is she?) you can offer her baby food. Sometimes when a rat has trouble breathing they prefer to lick rather than chew their food.  It sounds like the hind leg paralysis is part of her age and it is seen when there is degeneration of the spine. Steroids will also help her greatly in this case too, sometimes even helping them get moving better.  

As far as trying to fatten her up, you can use boost or ensure or even soy milk or soy baby formula. They are all packed with vitamins and will help replace lost vitamins from not eating properly.

Check out my web page on heart disease and see if anything applies to her there too.  

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

Heart disease often goes hand in hand with lung disease. Heart disease in rats can be treated with various medications too so no need to worry that it is the end for her. There are alot of options left for her yet.