rat has red stuff in his eyes and weak

Question
QUESTION: Oh god, about 3 weeks ago I noticed a lump close to his left bottom leg but more on his belly, he seemed fine. I don't know if the tumor(feeling kinda knotty in the sac) has anything to due with how I found him today, which was, he was just in a sitting position sleeping, I knew that didn't look right, so I went to pick him up and noticed he seemed lifeless, his eyes kinda closed and opened and red stuff came from his eyes, I had him in an aquarium, I thought maybe he got to hot, so I keeped him out for 2-3 hrs and he started to drink water and ate bits of cinniman toast, but didn't hold them like he usually does, he also ate some hotdog and has drunk water since then but don't seem to be able to clean himself without losing his balance. What could be wrong? he is about 2 years and he is normally very active. I have cryed over him and my 16 yr old son has to , we love him, please help

ANSWER: Hi Tammy


Has he been sneezing or congested? What about this lump....is there any discharge from it?

The red stuff from his eyes is called porphyrin. Please go to my site and let me know if what he has compares to the photos. I made this site so I can send people to it to read up on things and compare photos since I cannot examine your rat in person.
The URL is:
http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/bloodynoseandeyes.htm

THis red discharge means the rat is stressed out. The gland behind the eyes produces it more when the rat is sick. It is called porphyrin.

Its important he gets alot of fluids in him. I am surprised he lives in a tank and not a cage all this time and has not been sick before. Usually rats do not do very well living in tanks. Circulation is poor and it usually lessens their life span up to a year or more due to respiratory problems.  Cages are advised instead so the air can circulate and urine odor doesnt build up.  

Also, at this age, if diet has been too high in protein and fats, they usually develop kidney disease. It starts right around 2 years old and just seems to gradually come on, with the rat losing weight first and eventually becoming very weak, and this in turn, they lose their balance too. ALso an inner ear infection could cause loss of balance.
Hot dogs are not real good for rats. The sodium content is sky high and very bad for their kidneys.
At his age he should be on a mild diet lower in proteins. The seed mixes from the pet store are nowhere near nutritious enough and this is also another reason pet rats do not seem to live long. A healthy rat lives to be right around 3 years old and older and rats that have had less than a healthy life style, be it from poor breeding like pet store rats, this is mostly the case, and they have alot of health problems we dont see or realize they have.

Has he ever been sick before?  Sounds like he is very loved so hopefully I can help guide you in the right direction and we can get him on the right track to be healthy again.

So this lump, has it drained? IS there a scab? How big is it and does it grow fast??

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

QUESTION: well, today he seems worse, not moving, but drinking some. I had no idea I could be the one killing my own rat. I feel very mad at myself and hurt, I thought rats ate anything like the ones in the wild do. So when my rat wanted food i had for super he got it. I am so sorry rowdy, I didn't mean to hurt you. yes i do see a small like place close to the tumor. i havent noticed any drainage. now he just trysto move but looks like he is slowly draging himself. he is in my arms right now eating a bannana. not holding it though.  the lump did seem to grow fast cause i remember it seemed to just show up one day and about that time i also remember his right eye was kinda swollen out more than the other and looked like it had a white film on it so i put antibiotic ointment in it and that seemed to help. but his eye still don't look completely normal. alaround though he is not the same as he was 3 days ago, he does chatter his teeth and we have been holding him close to us since yesterday. he has never been sick before. now i was wondering i have to use a spray on my arms that is very strong scented like peppermint. would this be affecting him in anyway?  red stuff is still coming from his eyes but not bad like tear drops.now the tumor hasn't gotten any bigger since i first found it and seems tinder when i feel it, rowdy trys to use his back feet to push my hand away when i touch his tumor. i have given him baths probably about 4-5 times since i have had him. I noticed though that about 5-6 days ago when i changed his litter the smell was very strong like amonia. it had also not smelled that way before. IS he going to die? I want the hard truth of it, because my gut says he is not going to recover from this. and thanks for all your help

ANSWER: First of all, dont beat yourself up for not knowing about their food or housing.  Many people are not aware of alot of things about rats, and think that they can eat whatever since that is how they are in the wild. Truth is, in the wild, rats try to eat healthy if they have an abundance of food! Is that nuts or what? If they had to choose between strawberries and maybe some peas over, say, nuts and seeds, they would go for the fruits and vegetables first.

I dont want to say that your rat will die because if he gets to the vet right away he will have a fighting chance to recover but he needs to see a vet and a vet that knows about rat care.  Let me know your location and I can find a vet and will gladly set up the          appointment for you!

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

QUESTION: well i looked at the tumor again and there seems to be two exacly alike side by side. i thought there was one but infact it is two and they are hard. i live in robbins tn scott co. can i give him some of my 5yr olds left over antibiotics to see if it will help

Answer
The Pet Doctor    Exotic Pets Seen:
7009 Asheville Highway
Knoxville TN 37924-4202
Phone:    865-329-0003
Website:    


Ragland & Riley Veterinary Hospital
3207 Cookeville, Tennessee  38570
    931-498-3153
Rick Wearing  DVM



Are these near you?