I think my rat might be sick

Question
QUESTION: I have read up on issues that i have been having with my rat. I've only had him for maybe a week now. He has been sneezing quite a bit. It also looks like he's chewing on his hands? He doesn't let me hold him just yet, so i cant see for sure. I've been working on it, i  just don't want to stress him out. It looks like his nose was bleeding, so i looked that up and see that it's possibly normal, he doesn't seem to be having any breathing problems. He doesn't come out of his box that he sleeps in till late at night. So i try to give him attention then. Tonight it looked like his balance was off and he was tilting his head. I understand this could be an ear infection. He still seems to be eating ok. I am scared something might be really wrong with him. I cant seem to find any vets in my area and i was wondering if rat vets are usually expensive?


ANSWER: Hi Alley


Sounds like he does have an inner ear infection. The only way to treat this is to see a vet right away. He can recover as long as he gets the proper treatment.  Please let me know your location and I will give you names of vets that see rats. Prices vary from place to place so its hard to tell who is pricey and who isnt.  Generally the first visit is more expensive and the office fee is anywhere from $30 to $50.  Medication is probably $20 or less.  Many vets WILL let you arrange a payment plan after you pay them a small percentage down.

I will give you names of good vets that can take payment plans once I know your location.

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

QUESTION: Thank you for responding. Because i just adopted him, the pet store gives a 14 day policy. I was able to take him in and they are going to try and make him better. I should hear about the outcome by tuesday. I would still love info on a vet near by for future issues. I am in steilacoom, washington. Area code 98388. Thank you again.

ANSWER: I would not have let them take the rat. They treat them on their own and do not use the right vets. I would go get him and take him to the vet yourself or chances are you wont get him back again.

******

Jones Animal Hospital    
3322 South Union Avenue
Tacoma WA 98409
Phone:    253-383-2616
*****

1 hr from you, which is worth it!

Dr. Elizabeth Kamaka
Eastside Avian and Exotic Animal Medical Center    
13603 100th Ave NE
Kirkland WA 98034
Phone:    425-821-6165
Website: www.eaeamc.com

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

QUESTION: well. Turns out they told me he had a severe brain and spinal cord injury. I have no idea how he got hurt. He never came out of his cage, i only had him for a week and i only got to hold him once.

I am not sure if he was hurt when i purchased him at the store. They called me and told me that he was euthenised.

I again thank you for writing to me. If i decide to adopt another rat, i will be sure to take him into an actual vet next time if anything goes wrong.

I am so confused as to what happened to him.

Thanks again.

Answer
OMG I KNEW IT!!!!!  I knew they would do this!!!!!


Your rat had an inner ear infection. He had head tilt and loss of balance and it can be treated.  Damnit.  These people killed your rat without even asking you and that was wrong.

Here is more info on inner ear infection.  I would let the pet store know how wrong they were and ask them the name of the vet they used. I want to know the vets credentials. I bet he wasnt even an exotic vet and they killed that rat because they had no idea what was wrong. I am so upset right now I can spit nails!  A vet that knows nothing about rats will not know the signs of inner ear infection and when they see a rat that is losing balance and has head tilt they think its a brain tumor or brain injury. This is due to IGNORANCE and more rats have been killed for nothing because of lack of education in vets. Only exotic vets or vets that have high interest in exotics should see rats.

Here is the info on ear infections. You will see this fits the exact thing your rat was doing.  Even the so called blood from the nose was NOT blood, but it was porphyrin instead, which you can read about on my website.



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

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



http://ratguide.com/health/auricle_ear/otitis_media_otitis_interna_labyrinthitis

If you want I can call the pet store and ask what vet they use for their rodents and check out his credentials.  I think you have a good case to sue these people for killing your pet without even asking you.  I knew this would happen and that is why I gave you the vets names because these pet stores do not want to spend money on the right vets so they kill them instead.