[Phobie]

So I put my boys together and they're getting along great, i just got Edgar (the little one) out and he's SO thin. I get him out every day but hadn't noticed before. I can feel his spine and see his ribs almost. His hair also looks a little thin. I'm feeding him lots and making sure he eats now, as far as i can see, they eat well together in the cage.

Help

 

[Night]

Re: Skinny rat, need help

What exactly are you feeding him?

Considering the fact that you just introduced him to another rat and they're now living together, I wonder if the other rat isn't allowing him to eat? Some overly-dominant rats do that.

 

[Phobie]

Re: Skinny rat, need help

They're both eating lab blocks, fruit and veggies etc. I've seen him eating, when he's in the cage, but its a possibilty... Hm. Come to think of it, I'm SURE he eats enough in the cage.

 

[Night]

Re: Skinny rat, need help

What brand of lab blocks are they? If he's eating and not gaining weight, something might be internally wrong with him, though I doubt it's that serious. Maybe try making up a batch of Suebee's Mix to feed along with the lab blocks.

 

[Phobie]

Re: Skinny rat, need help

Ok I'll try that, thanks. They're Pets at Home multivitamin Rat Nuggets, they seem to be pretty good for Addo, but I'll make up the mix too!

I've just noticed a couple of cuts on Edgar which leads me to believe maybe they've been scrapping, all in all not a good situation so I've put Edgar in the other cage for now to see if he's eating.

 

[Forensic]

Re: Skinny rat, need help

Cuts or scabs? If he's got buggies that may be another reason he's thin...

 

[Night]

Re: Skinny rat, need help

Oh, I didn't realize you were in the UK! In that case, google the Shunamite Diet, which is the UK form of Suebee's.

Personally, I would try keeping him in a separate cage, on the same diet. Do this for about a week or two, and if he gains weight, you know it's because of the other boy causing him problems.

 

[Phobie]

Re: Skinny rat, need help

I made up the slightly smaller cage for him, it's very smushy and comfy, and I put it near the radiator. He's SO thin, if I stroke down his back (he's very cuddly), when I get to just below his middle, towards his back legs, i can literally almost touch my fingers together through his stomach! He's very sluggish and sleepy. Oh life.

 

[Poppyseed]

Re: Skinny rat, need help

Maybe if he's that thin and lethargic you should take him to the vet ): Poor guy.

And maybe feed him a supplement of some sort, like ensure or veggitable baby food to make sure he is eating something. Check his teeth to make sure they aren't overgrown or misaligned.

 

[Phobie]

Re: Skinny rat, need help

I have promised him that if he doesn't put a bit of weight on and get a bit happier in a couple of days that i will take him at the weekend, to the vet. Poor baby.


In the past couple of hours since I first noticed, he's eaten a rat nugget, a little bit of cheese and some soy milk with honey! He seems to be a little bit perkier since then so I've got my fingers crossed. He's such a cuddly little thing.

 

[Night]

Re: Skinny rat, need help

Baby food is also a huge hit with sickly rats Cheese or other dairy products might not be a good idea currently, since animals really aren't made to eat that kind of stuff. Oatmeal (made with soy milk) is a great treat.

 

[Sparker]

Re: Skinny rat, need help

Oooh! Oatmeal! I hadn't thought of that...

 

[Night]

Re: Skinny rat, need help

Don't get the packets, though! Those contain a ton of sugar. I like to use organic baby oatmeals/cereals

 

[Sparker]

Re: Skinny rat, need help

True! I don't even eat those... (I'm diabetic)... but I might not have thought about it for them. At the vet hospital where I work, we use baby food/baby oatmeal/baby turkey sticks for EVERYTHING.

 

[Phobie]

Re: Skinny rat, need help

Here are some pictures, you can't really see how skinny he is when he's in a little ball so I put my fingers gently around the thinnest part of him just to illustrate when I mean about him being boney.

I haven't noticed anymore little cuts, only one on the neck which looks suspiciously like a claw mark (Addo, I'm looking at you...)

Not a great picture, turned the flash off and didn't want to stress him out any more.

Thinning of the fur

more thinning of the fur

 

[Night]

Oh wow, he definitely looks sickly I'd take him to the vet ASAP.

 

[Phobie]

OK, will phone first thing tomorrow and sort it out. Thanks guys