HELP! Paraplegic rat chewing back foot?

[kim_woodman]

One of my boys had a fall on Friday night that has left his back half paralyzed. We've been to the doctor and had x-rays and a k-laser treatment. The doctor said it's not bone, so it's likely an issue with a disk just above his hips. He still has sensation because he twitched both legs and his tail when the doctor did some tests. He's been prescribed medicine for inflammation and pain, and the doctor said his chances of regaining use of his hind legs and tail is about 50/50 right now, so we're staying hopeful.

He's been eating and drinking & peeing and pooping just fine, and seemed to be in good spirits. He gave the doctor and nurses lots of kisses and he wants cuddles and will brex and boggle when I'm holding or petting him.

So I was shocked to find this morning that one of his back feet is all bloody. He must have chewed it during the night. I know that it would have hurt because his nerve endings are still in tact so there's no doubt he felt it. He's been staying in a single level cage separated from his brother to avoid further injury ( his brother is very rambunctious) and there's nothing in there that he could have cut himself on. Does anyone know why he would do this to himself? Especially after he seemed to be doing so well?

 

[SQ]

His back foot must have been bothering him.
He is also be stressed and bored - although this may have nothing to do with his behaviour

What type of cage do your rat normally live in?
How old are they?

Can you change your cage around so that he can be with his brother, being separated will cause stress
You could fix the bottom of the cage so that it meets his needs, a hammock he can crawl into etc and remove the ram that leads to the next level, or cover the ramp so that he can climb it using his front legs.

In Dec - March, Rhys whose back legs were in a similar condition, but for a different reason, would use his front legs to climb to the balcony of the one section of the CN he lived in with friends. The ramp was covered and later, when he became too weak to climb to the balcony, I moved the ramp. If other rats wanted to access other kevels they were able to climb the side of the cage

 

[lilspaz68]

I shall hope your vet gave you Metacam/meloxicam. Likely the feeling started to come back and tingle /zing those feet. Lets double-check his dosage of pain meds. I'd need the type, the concentration, and his weight, plus what you were told to give him.

 

[kim_woodman]

What type of cage do your rat normally live in?
How old are they?

Can you change your cage around so that he can be with his brother, being separated will cause stress
You could fix the bottom of the cage so that it meets his needs, a hammock he can crawl into etc and remove the ram that leads to the next level, or cover the ramp so that he can climb it using his front legs.

They're normally in a 3-level cage. The doctor was very specific that he needed to be separated from his brother to prevent aggravation of the injury or further harm. I agree with him because his brother Steve is larger than him, very dominant, and a bit reckless. Steve will often step on him or try to rough-house with him, and he's very possessive when it comes to food so I don't think he'd let Logic (the hurt one) eat at all if they stayed together and Logic couldn't hold his own. The doctor wants him moving as little as possible to try to let him heal and that means he just absolutely can't be in the same cage with Steve for at least 2 weeks.

They're both just over a year old. Logic is actually a few weeks older than Steve, but Steve is the alpha. They've been together since they were (approximately) 8-10 & 5-6 weeks old.

 

[kim_woodman]

I shall hope your vet gave you Metacam/meloxicam. Likely the feeling started to come back and tingle /zing those feet. Lets double-check his dosage of pain meds. I'd need the type, the concentration, and his weight, plus what you were told to give him.

He mentioned that one (I think it was that one) but said he really needed Prednisone and that they couldn't be mixed because they would cause really bad stomach ulcers. So he prescribed Prednisone & Hydrocodone. They weighed him in the back so I don't know what his weight is. He's taking 0.2 mL Hydrocodone for pain and 0.1 mL Prednisone for inflammation every 12 hours. I have no doubt that this doctor prescribed appropriate dosages because he's an exotic specialist and has lots of rat patients (he doesn't take cats or dogs at all), so I'm very confident he knows what he's doing.

The Hydrocodone bottle says "Hydrocodone Bitartrate Syrup" and the Prednisone says "5 mg/ml Oral Suspension"

 

[jorats]

I would call up the vet and tell them what happened and hopefully up his pain meds or add another pain med. It wouldn't surprise me in the long run if your little man will eventually be completely back to normal.

 

[kim_woodman]

I have already contacted him through his direct email. His office is closed on Sunday though so I don't know that I'll hear back from him today. Thank you though, that makes me feel more hopeful <3