Hind End Degeneration - HED - How To Deal With It

I did some searching about HED here on the fourm, but I never did find a thread just for HED in general.

Just some general questions.

- Is there any meds that can be given to help? or are they fine like they are? - I know they do adjust pretty well.

- Is a single CN fine for them, if you have he shelf on the lowest hole? or is a flat cage better?

Any other tips?

 

[Dazzle87]

I know you can give glucosamine and another supplement.

It depends on how bad they are. I have a girl with fairly mild HED, and I have a double CN with four of the shelves, so none of the ramps are steep and there is no way to fall far. If they get bad enough where they can't get up ramps but are stubborn enough to keep trying and falling, then you might want to take the ramps out.

 

[jorats]

I have my Chief at the bottom of the double Critter Nation, I lift up the ramp bit high so the Chief can't climb. Other than that, I don't do anything else. I do keep his food and water quite low too .

 

[Unepuce]

I was discussing HED with my vet this Saturday, and according to her, the only thing we can do to help is to give them Metacam, which relieves pain and could also help slow the process down a bit (which I was not aware of).

 

I don't like giving metacam daily since its hard on the kidneys. As far as I know, most rats do not have pain with HED, it just looks awkward.

 

[DadRat]

Gregory responded well to adding fish oil to his diet, but his H.E.D. seems very neuro, his legs tremble.

He is still able to make the lowest ramp, although we have sock ramp covers to give him more grip and protect his toes and feet.

 

[Dazzle87]

Metacam would be given and helpful if it is arthritis causing it. I'm not entirely sure how to tell if it is one or the other, other than trying metacam and seeing if they improve a little on it?