Typically healthy rat seems disoriented not herself

182 Views 11 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Nynie7, 6 d ago

julieannwillis82

Discussion Starter · 13 d ago

Hi it's been a long night here and I'm scared to death...my heart rat tululu is typically a very healthy agile girl...Yesterday she was fine free ranged with her daughters got some bruxting on my shoulder and kisses and then in the evening I went to check in for evening and right away in her eyes I could see she seemed like she was there yet not there ...I know sounds weird but everything was off about her...quickly I learned from her reaction and way she moved on me something was bad off...I inspected her and saw no injuries but when calling her she was kinda going in circles and not finding me right...looking in wrong direction and off balance somewhat...upon putting her back in cage to observe more I noticed her daughter's were sensing something off with her odd behavior ...walking in circles digging at things that weren't there and balling up fists like she was eating but had no food...I'm a mess...my car is in shop until tomorrow evening or I would have taken her to vet immediately but I'm going to have to wait until morning but I was hoping someone might recognize or have experience they could share to help me to know what on earth to do...I love this rat she's my heart and soul and she's only a year and a half old...there have been no changes to her diet and no way she's eaten anything that is poisonous..I inspected her cage and found no clues and my other girls are fine despite being thrown off by her behavior...I also didn't know if I should put her in a hospital cage now or if it would be more stressful being apart from the girls....please any advice ? It's greatly appreciated...especially would be great to know if there's anything I can do to help her now...this is so unexpected and out of nowhere and I feel my heart breaking at thought of losing my precious girl...I really pray she is just going to be alright and am willing to do whatever I have to as to not lose her...thanks for reading and input in advance

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PotHeadSteve

· #2 · 12 d ago

It sounds like P.T, get her to a vet so you can get a diagnosis. My old rat Harry had PT when he was only a year old and there is nothing you can do about it. I think females are more prone to PT as well so it most likely is PT.
If it is PT the vet can give her a steroid that will help her get back to normal, but she will die of it eventually. You are only prolonging her life for about 2-3 months. I know your pain, losing one is always heartbreaking. But just make sure she gets extra extra love and attention because she doesn't have long.

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Fofo

· #3 · 12 d ago

I agree, what you describe sounds like pituitary tumour symptoms. I've had a few rats with them and they decline rapidly after symptoms present. I'm so sorry. Shadow the rat on youtube has some helpful videos on PT treatment if you'd like to learn more about them.

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RatPappy

· #4 · 12 d ago

I'm very sorry but I concur. I wish the best to both of you. Please keep us posted.

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Nynie7

· #5 · 12 d ago

I agree with the PT diagnosis of all of you but it could still be an inner ear infection as well. Have her ears checked just to be sure. Do you have some prednisone on hand? It is better to wait until you see a vet to start dosing but if she is very bad then you might be able to start. Only if the prednisone was priory made by a vet on the right concentration though. If that is the case, you can start with seeing how much she weighs (e.g. 360 grams) and then giving her half that about in mL (in that case 0.18 mL 2x a day). This is a very high dose and keep in mind that predinose can never just be "stopped" and needs to be slowly build off if it isn't PT. There are two super useful videos online on PT that you can watch in the meantime. Please keep us posted and I'm sorry that you have to go through this. I've lost 4 rats to PT even though they were all spayed. It's horrible.

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julieannwillis82

Discussion Starter · #6 · 11 d ago

Thank you all for the kind words and advice...unfortunately my normal vet isn't able to see her until they are back in town Monday but we are holding on...I agree it's probably pituitary but I don't want to accept it...I feel incredible guilt that I saw no symptoms until yesterday so this has floored me...she has always been a somewhat small rat so I'm concerned because she doesn't seem to be able to pick up food in normal fashion...I've been assisting her in eating and in drinking ..watching these videos make me believe it is pituitary which scares the he'll outta me because she had an accidental litter last July so most of my rats are her children ..all 18..does this mean they too could develop this?are there any steps I can take or signs I can look for? I plan to ask the vet all these questions I just wish I could have seen signs earlier n done something to prevent this or help her earlier..rats lives are already so short it seems so cruel they have to endure this but we're gna do whatever we have to and make sure she has the best life possible in the precious time she has left n were praying though doubtful it's inner ear...thank you all so much all the info and kindness helped immensley ❤

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Tinytoes

· #7 · 11 d ago

You are a wonderful rattie mom, don't blame yourself for this. Just love her every moment you can, because it's likely all you'll have only days. PTs can come on without warning. My Phyllis was fine one day, and the next was 'off', just not right, walking funny, disoriented. I got her to a vet in 24 hours and she was pts in a most beautiful way. Don't punish yourself for not seeing this, it's a terrible thing to do to ourselves. I don't think you should worry about her children...PT are not uncommon, and as far as I know, not a hereditary thing. It's just what happens to our fancy rats.

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julieannwillis82

Discussion Starter · #8 · 11 d ago

Thank you so much...I'm trying...seems like yesterday I was on here not knowing a thing about rats and completely lost...everyone on here has helped and guided me thru so much with my rats especially you and I appreciate that so much.. tulu is only 1 year and 5 months old...she's my soul and Monday seems so far away...tonight upon checking on her her little hands are bloody on inside where she keeps rubbing them together and she can't seem to grip to hold her food or to chew solids...I've been holding her and assisting her in drinking but she won't stay still long and constantly wants to groom or do that strange motion with her hands and circle so im afraid its bad..she still knows her name n seems to take comfort in my presence but I know our time is limited or coming to an end .i just wish i could do something .. do rats respond to steroid treatment n live a somewhat normal life? I'm not ready to lose her but if she is not going to get better I must prepare myself for our final goodbye .. I'm petrified the vet will tell me I should consider putting her to sleep but I know I can't be selfish if she's going to suffer..any thoughts on whether I should remove her from the triple critter nation n put her in a hospital cage or would this be traumatic for her daughter's and her?I'm concerned about her back legs and balance a bit but for now tho wobbly she's still making it. Thanks again ...it's truly nice to have people who understand rats and all the highs and lows of rat ownership...

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Nynie7

· #9 · 11 d ago

Hey again, I completely agree with Tinytoes. It just happens unfortunately so please don't blame yourself! A little bit on info about PT; it usually affects female rats not male rats. This is because they produce a hormone that can accelerate the growth of their pituitary gland. The only thing that can (maybe) prevent this is spaying them at a young age, before they are 6 months old. Saying this, I have spayed all my females if I could before 6 months; 3 of the younger spayed ones both developed PT and 2 of the ones spayed at an older age also developed PT.. so in my case it didn't help. As you haven't spayed your rat there is still so much hope for treatment! my vet always mentions that PT with spayed girls is less treatable because we treat it with hormone suppressant. But the spay already removes the hormone so then a hormone suppressant doesn't really do anything. But unspayed rats still have a good chance on this! If you watch shadowtherats new video on her channel you can see she has a rat that has PT undergoing treatment for 6 months and she is doing great! So there is hope, don't give up yet. Give her loads of wet food that she can lick up. We used baby porridge with honey and warm water to give them some sustenance. Also convalescence powder if you happen to have some (this is for animals who are sick and need the additional strength). If she really declines in weight, you can give her some ripe avocado which can help keep her weight up. Just give her small amounts but nothing from the pit or the seed!! That is poisonous! Otherwise any other store bought babyfood which doesn't contain onion is the most important. Good luck and you are an amazing ratty mum!

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Nynie7

· #10 · 11 d ago

Do you have steroids on hand for animals at the right concentration? Prednisone perhaps? Because the I would start her treatment right away. Weigh her and give her half that weight (e.g. ratty is 360 gram, give her 0.18 mL mixed in with something she loves) 2x a day (morning and evening).

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PotHeadSteve

· #11 · 10 d ago

Wait for the diagnosis. I would also make a mash for her out of cream of wheat and minced vegetables. Because she will have problems eating eventually. Don't beat yourself up over it. It is just part in parcel of owning rats. It was nothing you did and there isn't much you can do for her other then give her love.
When Harry got PT it was much the same. He was fine one day but then he kept falling over every time he tried to eat his food on my lap during playtime. I never even got a chance to take him to the vet to get an official diagnosis.

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Nynie7

· #12 · 6 d ago

Hi! It's been a couple days and I was wondering how the vets visit went?

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