We've had three rats, all brothers, for just over two years, but recently they've started fighting a lot. We've been debating seperating them temporarily, but when I came home from work today, one of my rats (****er) was visibly injured with dried blood on his face, forearms, and paws. We gave all three rats a bath, but mainly to assess how bad ****er was hurt. He seems to be having difficulty breathing, his eyes stay half-lidded, and he's hiding now (even when we hold him, he burrows his face into the crook of an elbow to hide). I'm incredibly worried about the cuts to his face and wonder if he should be seeing a vet or if this is normal rat behaviour. I'm including a picture of the injury to help with any assessment.
His fur is still a little damp, but we're drying him with a towel and keeping him bundled so he's comfortable... I'm incredibly worried as I know rats tend to live for 2-5 years, and he's really been acting his age this last week, this injury just is compounded on top of that.
His fur is still a little damp, but we're drying him with a towel and keeping him bundled so he's comfortable... I'm incredibly worried as I know rats tend to live for 2-5 years, and he's really been acting his age this last week, this injury just is compounded on top of that.
Vet will see him first thing tomorrow.
