rat not drinking

Question
I have asked you about my sick abino rat recently. She is looking alot better
but i think she has gone blind. She cannot see anything and walks into
everything. She used to see me and my hand now she does not. She is on a
med that starts with a B. She is still not eating much and she is not drinking
any water. She cant use her legs much so I know that she cant reach her
bottle. I try to give it to her but she wont take it. i have had to put water in
her mouth with a syringe but she spits it out and will NOT let me do it. She
has only pooped 3 pieces on a week. She does not seem to be able to eat
anything hard only yogurt and soft bread. i also put some water in the bread
but it is just not enough. What do I do now?? and will this pass?

Answer
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Dear Jolene

I am sorry your little rat is still sick. If I recall, your girl was getting baytril for the respiratory infection and is going to be on it for the rest of her life as per the instruction of the vet that treated her, which is pretty much normal protocol for  rats with mycoplasmosis.  All rats are born with the myco bacteria which is the source for many  illnesses such as respiratory infection, urinary tract infection, ear infection and even infection of the uterus in female ratties. Once problems with myco surface, the rat tends to relapse several times, especially when it involves the respiratory tract!This is a potential problem since with each attack, it tends to leave scarring on the lungs which in turn the rat ends up having chronic breathing problems.

However, what your describing now saying she cannot use her legs much and she is not eating and drinking plus the fact she seems as  though she has lost her vision, this doesn't seem to be indicative of a respiratory infection or any other infection caused by mycoplasmosis that the vet is treating her for. It sounds as if she has two things going at once. This sounds neurological in nature as far as not being able to walk and her loss of vision that seemed to just happen out of nowhere.
She really needs to be hydrated more than anything else. Perhaps offer her some watermelon?  There is no real way to force feed a rat nor force her to drink and this may further stress her out. If anything she needs to go back to the vet right away for further evaluation and also to be given fluids immediately by giving them to her subcutaneously under the skin. This helps rehydrate her which is very vital to her recovery. The fact she isn't pooping isn't that big of a concern since she hasn't eaten much and as long as it isn't watery thats ok for now too. She could very well have something secondary going on that is neurological in nature and I hate to diagnose her especially since I am not a vet but it does sound as if she could have a Pituitary tumor as well which is a small tumor (usually non cancerous) at the base of the brain. It causes sudden loss of vision, loss of the use of front and back lets, dizziness and loss of balance, etc...this can be gradual or slower onset of about a month or more. Weight loss is common. There is on cure, only symptoms can be treated. She can also have possibly an infection such as meningitis which can be secondary to the mycoplasmosis.  Whatever it may be, it wont be fair of me to really suggest for sure what it is since a vet is warranted for this and right away. I would call the vet back and share your concerns with her (if you haven't already, which you probably have since you wrote this post a few hours ago)

I wish I had a magic wand to wave over every single rat that I read about from this Allexperts.com site. Unfortunately that wasn't offered to me as part of the job. :-(   I can only offer my advice, a shoulder to cry on and my friendship through our ratties...and let you know I am pulling for you and your furry friend.  Please keep me posted and do call that vet right away to bring her back in right now if possible.

Sandy