Pregnant or megacolon

Question
QUESTION: We bought a baby rat at a pet store 2 1/2 weeks ago. They said she was 3 weeks old,but I have looked at pictures of 3 week old rats and think she was older. She has been very active and playful with her cagemate( also a definate female, until 2 days ago. She no longer wants to play and her stomach is getting bigger. She is still eating well and I think she is still pooping well. How do I know if I brought home a pregnant rat or if she has megacolon? Also her cagemate keeps building a nest around her today and won't leave her side.

ANSWER: If she is going to the bathroom and is not constipated one minute and having watery loose stools that have a terrible odor the next and she is eating and drinking, she probably doesnt have mega colon.

Do you know if the new rat was around males at all?

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

QUESTION: She was in with males when we bought her. I think they were mainly for snake food.

Answer


If she was 3 weeks old when she was with the males, chances of her being pregnant are pretty low.  Baby rats do gain weight in the belly as they age but I do want to ask what color is she?  Does she have markings?
Often mega colon is seen among specific types of rats such as those with blazed markings on their heads and rats referred to as high whites.

Again, seeing stools that are first very hard and another time they are very explosive.  You may even notice the rat to be impacted and can visibly see the feces protruding out, unable to be passed.


Is she any better today?