weight lost and confusion

Question
QUESTION: i've had my rat walter about a year and a half now, and he was previously owned by someone else so im not sure how old he is. a couple months ago he started losing hair but he seemed perfectly normal so i didnt think anything of it. im guessing since hes a rex hair rat his skin is dryer than most rats so its normal to lose hair. (thats what i was told) but now he seems to be losing weight as well. He acts like himself for the most part, but he seems a little confused now and his head looks bigger than his body now im just assuming its because hes losing weight. He eats regularly, i watch him, so im really not sure why hes losing weight. When I say he seems confused, he'll just stand there and kind of stumble and he seems a little clumsy now.

ANSWER: Just a few things I need to ask first and also I apologize for the delay in response. I did not get this till now despite the date written. Not sure what is up with that but forgive me for taking so long usually I am more prompt than this:

Has he been sick in the past and if yes,what was the diagnosis and course of treatment?

Does he itch and scratch?

How often do you feed him and what does his diet consist of?

Does he live alone?

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

QUESTION: I dont believe he's been sick in the past, we dont really know his past since we adopted him. He does itch and scratch but not really alot and its really only his face, and ive been trimming his nails. I thought he was losing fur from over grooming. He did live alone, but when he started to lose fur i thought he was lonely and about 5 months ago we got him a friend. when we got the other rat, Ash, we kept them separated for about 3 weeks just in case Ash were to have been sick, we didnt want Walter to catch anything. Now they live together, and I feed them mostly Forti-Diet but also some carrots, raisins, and other fruits and veggies I have. I fill their bowl up every morning after washing it out, so they get fed once every morning and always there's a little food left over that I throw out when I give them more the next day. Im really worried because Ash and Walter used to sleep separately in their own baskets, but ever since Walters been losing weight, Ash wont leave his side. Now I say I've seen Walter eating, hes always the first one to go to the food bowl, but now im really not sure if hes eating or just throwing it all around. I wonder if there could be a problem with his teeth maybe? I like to give them little yogurt treats and he used to eat them with no problem but now it seems like hes having a hard time with it. Grapes are easier for him to eat. I know this has to be something serious, and I dont want to lose Walter, but at this rate, hes not looking to good. He acts fine, but he looks so small. He used to be huge, Ash was smaller than him, now its the opposite. I dont want to take him to just any vet, Maybe you could recommend someone, i live in then phoenix, az area.

Answer
I am thinking its food problmes and maybe something more, maybe his teeth...and I would indeed get him to the vet.

He may be allllergic to his food. If its high in protein which these store brand foods often are, this will create fur loss, itching and scratching and even scabs around the face and head and neck and shhoulders.  Please read up on diets on my website:

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

As for vets, Absolutely, you want a vet that is an exotic vet and not someone that will guess his way through and charge you an arm and a leg for nothing.

Here is what I have for you in your area and in fact this is PERFECT for your rat! An all exotic clinic is the true way to go and I am so happy that they are here for our rat!!
Dr. Kevin Wright
Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital    
744 N Center Street
Mesa AZ 85201-5084
Phone:    4802757017
Website: www.arizonaexoticanimalhospital.com