[nativemic]

ok i have a little boy who is 6 weeks old. i just brought him and his friend ( also a 6 week old male ) home. he is nervous but i expect that. but he is swaying his head side to side when i get close to the cage. he is fine when i pick him up ( no aggression ) and he seems to be aware and very agile.
do you think he is having trouble seeing? or is it something else.

 

[DonnaK]

It could be that he is having trouble seeing. From what I understand, rats sway their heads like that to help them pick up motion, if they have eye troubles.

Another possibility, which was discussed recently, is an ear infection, brought on by a respiratory infection. Here's the thread from that discussion (http://www.ratforum.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=473.html).

It really depends on his symptoms. Probably worth having a vet look at him.

 

[Vixie]

Rats have extremely poor eyesight.

Head swaying like that is most often a way for them to pick up on more things visually.

 

[nativemic]

i am pretty sure it is poor eye sight. he seems to do it when i am a little further away, when i am closer he does not doe it as much.
ps i posted his picture in my rats