Question
My rats
I have two female rats. Ratatouille is about 4 or 5 years old and Snakefood is about 1. Recently, Ratatouille has been acting very strange. Her energy has decreased quite a bit. She looks very fat, yet she's obviously lost a ton of weight. She hasn't been eating much. My friend said theres a possibility it might be a tumor, but I'm not sure. Do you think it could be?
AnswerHi Aimee
Wow, 4 to 5 years old? Thats pretty old. Usually rats dont live much beyond 4 and thats pushing it! The rat in front looks like she doesnt feel good (eyes shut, etc...) and the one in the background looks bright eyed and bushy tailed!
Anyhow, I doubt its an internal tumor. Usually there are other signs of illness when this occurs. It "could" be, but you would probably notice a localized mass if you felt around.
It could be one of several things, like kidney disease, which includes weight loss and loss of appetite.
It sounds like it is more like heart disease, and symptoms are loss of appetite, loss of weight but they may appear as if they have gained weight because they are retaining excess fluids.
When the heart is not pumping properly, the rat is not getting enough oxygen and so this makes her pretty sleepy which explains her loss of energy.
You will want to see a vet because there are medications she can take to help her heart pump more efficiently. Check and see if her extremities are nice and pink or if they seem cold, purple or blue. Also note the tail, muzzle and genitals too. Does she sleep in odd places lately, like for example, does she hang her head over the ledge or shelf to sleep or rest or on top of a toy house etc...? Is she breathing faster than usual? Does she breathe "hard" and does it seem like her sides are sinking in hard when she breathes?
Does she gasp or wheeze?
For now, you need to get her some nutrition to help replace her energy. Start with baby foods, any kind like strained carrots, sweet potatoes, applesauce, etc... let her lick from your finger or spoon or flat dish. It seems a sick rat would rather lick than chew as it exerts less energy. Feed water from a dropper. You need to keep her hydrated. Keep her on a single story cage, dont let her get too exhausted by climbing etc...
Anyhow, do you have a vet that is exotic certified? She will need one, not a regular vet that sees exotics to be nice but someone that knows how to treat her.
I can help find a vet if you need one.
Hope this helps!
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