RE:Sick Rat

Question
QUESTION: I am trying to figure out what is wrong with my rat. He is active very sick. He is hardly moving at all and he is not drinking very much and is not eating at all. He will open his mouth to eat, but he doesn't seem to have the strength to chew. Over the past few days, has been acting sort of "dizzy." He was walking around but seemed to be completely unaware of his surroundings. He would sit in my lap, but at any time, he would get up and start to just fall off my legs on to the floor. Last time he got this way was 3 months ago and the vet gave him a couple fluid pack shots and an antibiotic. This seemed to work great but I still never figured out what the problem was.

Two nights ago, he almost choked on a spinach leaf. I woke in the middle of the night to the sound of him choking. As I got to the cage, I saw him stop breathing as I opened the cage. I pulled it out and actually did a "pet CPR" on him and he came back.

Last night he was brusking (spelling?) alot.

Currently, he is just laying down and is very weak.

This is the most information I can think to give. Any advice would be great. I am going to take him to the Vet on Monday, but I am trying to make sure he lasts that long. :(

Thank you in advance!

ANSWER: Sounds like he needs antibiotics and steroids.  You said he is acting dizzy?   Does he have strength in his front paws?  The fact he choked concerns me.  Is he having difficulty chewing and swallowing?


The vet......is this vet a certified exotic vet *they usually dont work in an office where dogs and cats go, only exotics and birds*  or a general DVM that happens to know a tad more about pocket pets than the other vets at the clinic so he or she has earned the title to be the exotic vet on staff?   The reason I ask is because if this is vestibular disease, it needs proper care for him to get better, but I am not convinced yet due to his lethargy and weakness which is why I asked about the use of his front paws and his ability to chew.

How old is he, by the way?  Is he over 18 months?

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

QUESTION: Sandra,

Thank you for the quick reply. Unfortunately, my rattie passed away last night. He was almost 3 years old. :(

Thank you again for the help,

James

Answer
Oh no, I am so sorry.


That does confirm my suspicions  though......I believe your boy had a pituitary tumor which is why he was dizzy and disoriented.  You saw the first signs of it a few months ago and he hung on this long. He was a tough old boy.  I am sorry he passed, but I was putting two and two together and when you said he choked that about finalized it for me that he had a brain tumor.  He had a long life. Be happy  for that.