Sick Male

Question
QUESTION: Hi Sandra.  You have helped me time and time again and thank you! I have a question about my rat Sonny again.

Before you told me that he had diahrrea because of his poor diet. He had scabs, etc. Well I changed the diet and he doesn't have diahrrea anymore.  So I figured that problem is fixed.

Then I noticed the next problem!  He still has scabs and I realized him and his brother has those little red bugs infesting them. I don't know how long they have been there...So I am taking care of that now. Got some medication.

Then the third problem.  Sonny looks like he is losing weight. I mean Sandra, I can feel his spine.  I don't know what the problem with him is. He eats, and eats and is sooo happy. He drinks and is so loveable and plays. Everything in that department is fine.

I am curious do you think he is lost weight from the diahrrea? Or can the bugs cause this?  I am really concerned.

Othe things I have noticed. His stomach is swollen like he could have tumor or something in there.  I know that is rare in males right?  But see, I don't know if his stomach is like that because he has lost some weight...Oh and his penis sticks out a lot...Im so scared Sandra...I dont' want my baby to die.  He was just born in January..

Do rats get worms? Tape worms?? I mean I don't want my boy to have cancer.  

I am going to take him to the vet but I wanted your opinion.  Please tell me you can help. I love him so much....I mean his litle face puts me in the best of moods. I know you will understand.

I hope it is something can be fixed. I thought maybe the bugs could be causing this. But he just doesn't seem stressed Sandra.  Thank you so much for reading this.  I am just so scared your going to come back with bad news for me.

ANSWER: I wish I could help you and tell you exactly what it is that is causing weight loss. It could be anything. He is really young though so its hard to think he could have cancer and yes, its not real super common but heck anything is possible with these rats.   And yes  I know just what you mean about how their little faces can just sweeten anyones mood.  I tend to get weepy as my rats age. When my two old men turned three I sang them happy birthday with tears rolling down my face because at three years old, each time they wake up and a new day starts for them is a miracle since they are as old as they are which is now 3 and a half. I never know what I am going to find when I go i the rat room and I swear this is true....I prepare myself each morning when I go in the rat room to check on the boys in which two of them are 2 years old and the other two are 3 and a half and I fear I am going to find one of them maybe had passed on during the night etc...

Weight loss in rats can be from many things, from kidney and heart disease, and yes, endoparasites.  Rats can get worms including tapeworm although not really common.  You need to collect the droppings and bring them to the vet for a look under the microscope for  endoparasites.  Having worms can also distend the rats abdomen and cause weight loss too.  My only question is, do you have a good vet?  The past week or two I have been pulling my hair out reading horror stories about vets and how they are claiming to be exotic vets and yet they are misdiagnosing the rats badly and after some checking I find that they are only general vets  that see exotics but only know the basics on them, which is not acceptable.

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QUESTION: Can you please tell me of a good place that I can take Sonny too.  My zip code is 62040.  Thank you so much.

Answer
I wish you were close to Chicago. There are some awesome vets there. However, the good news is that this vet has a 24 emergency clinic which is important, especially if the rat has pneumonia and needs oxygen or to keep them after surgery for a day or so.

Hawthorne Animal CLinic
#5 Cougar Drive
Glen Carbon IL 62034
Phone:    618 288 3971
Website: www.hawthorne.vetsuite.com








REVISED:   VET ADDED

Please let me know if you see this revised message. Thanks!

Got this name from my mentor this afternoon. They also have a 24 hr.ER AND this fantastic exotic area for sick exotics, including of course, the rats.   
Arboretum View Animal Hospital     
2551 Warrenville Road
Downers Grove IL 60515
Phone:    630-963-0424
Website: www.avah.org