Im worried about my rat!

Question
QUESTION: Hello!

About 7 months ago, my fiance (who had just moved in with his Ball Pythons) bought a feeder rat (young) to feed the snakes, and he made the mistake of telling me. I stole the rat, and refused to allow him to take it anywhere close to his snakes. Needless to say, the rat is now grown up, is named Kibbles and lives as one of our most cherished pets. We also bought him a buddy, aptly named Bit's, who is probably roughly 8 months old himself.

We recently decided they needed a new cage, an upgrade from their store bought condo to a new custom rat mansion. After I had moved Kibbles and Bits to their new home, I found Bits acting strange. He keeps slightly rocking back and forth and staring, and he is also squeaking when I pick him up, as if it hurts, which is strange and new. He doesn't seem QUITE as energetic, although he still plays, and doesn't seem as interested in wrestling with his best buddy Kibbles anymore. He just seems to be acting weird. I was worried and called my vet, and he seems to think he's fine and I think even my fiance thinks I am crazy. But I just feel like SOMETHING isn't right. They have always been in good health, even though I know that at one time being a feeder rat may make him more prone to problems.

I just think, as rat owners and rat lovers, that we can tell if our rat isn't ok, even if others don't see a difference. Any idea if he could be stressed about the new cage or really be getting sick??

ANSWER: Does he have red eyes?   Even if he doesnt, you may find this article I wrote will help you feel better.  Oh and be sure to click on the video to see if this is the same thing your rat is doing as far as swaying his head back and forth goes!

Here is the URL:

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

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

QUESTION: I did wonder if it was his eyes, and after seeing the video I think it must be! His swaying isn't quite as pronounced as the rat in the video's, but it sure looks like the same thing. I guess I just never noticed until we moved them into their new cage.

As for his squeaking when I pick him up and his slight anti-social behavior, should I just attribute that to the move?

And thanks so much for the quick answer, I appreciate it!!

Answer
I think the head swaying is cute actually....

As for picking him up and he squeaks, did he always do this?

The anti social behavior is not shocking either. Pet store rats, esp feeder rats have not been properly socialized. Pups should be held and touched from day 1 at birth so they are used to humans touch. They are born not to trust us and rightly so. This is one reason pet store rats are so shy. Those that arent are just happy go lucky on their own which makes them super friendly.

Check over your rat and check for any sores, lumps or bumps first of all to be sure he doesnt have something that is hurting him that is making him cry out when you pick him up. It may just be him protesting being held though unless he never cared before and now all of a sudden he does.

If he cant see well, this also may be why. He may be startled when
you reach in and grab him. Try talking to him and letting him know your there before reaching for him. See if this changes things.