Hot paws

[Unepuce]

I actually feel a little silly asking that question, but as I can't find anything anywhere and since it does disturb me, I really need to ask: my Pollux paws and tail are much warmer than those of his cage mates these days. Is this a sign of a fever? Should I be on the lookout for something? He is sneezing but he has been ever since we adopted him, and the vet couldn't hear anything wrong as per this past Friday.

Caring for rats have teached me not to overlook even the smallest thing - am I just being silly, is he just being more sensitive to warm weather that the others, or is his little body trying to warn me that something is happening?

 

[LA]

I don't know the answer to your question however never worry about asking anything because there will always be someone thinking the same thing. It's the old saying, 'there are no stupid questions'. I also feel that it's better to ask and the mind gets put to rest instead of worrying and actually having something wrong.

 

[jorats]

I'm not sure if that's normal. I'm going to guess no. What does your vet think? Is he a hairless by any chance? They always feel so hot.

 

[Unepuce]

Nope... not a hairless. He's a big bulky blue boy - actually the one that had me ask about tail-flicking in a previous post.

I actually noted after posting this that my new boy - abandoned at my vet's clinic last week, poor little guy - felt hot too, and still was this morning, but he still was VERY playful. I will give a quick call to the vet this morning, just to ask and put my mind at rest. I'll get back with her answer...

 

[Unepuce]

OK... just called the clinic. The vet assistant doesn't believe it to be much - might only be the warmer temperature kicking in. Nothing to do with a fever, which was my real concern - as long as they are lively, I shouldn't worry about body temperature, and they are still eating well - my new boy actually attacks the food bowl before it touches the ground when I bring him breakfast and dinner.

I'll put my doubts to rest for now, but will keep an eye on them, we never know...

 

[Rachael]

It's coming into warmer weather now and our rats have felt a little hotter when we lift them out the cage.... just keep a close eye on him.

 

[mamarat]

I have noticed that too in some and even their ears are warmer. And they had been sick so I always assumed it was fever. Never thought to ask the vet though, wish I had.

 

[jorats]

That's good that the vet assistant doesn't think it's anything. I went and checked mine and they don't feel hot.
I do remember though once with my boy Cado, he had very red ears and hot too but he was very sick.
Are the paws red or very pale?

 

[Unepuce]

His paws look very normal - it's just the heat coming out of them that worried me. It's weird to have those little cool paws walking all over you and then feel those hot ones coming in... he just really stood out in terms of temperature. I check them regularly now and I have to say it comes and goes. I would like to figure out why those two guys and not the others...

 

[jorats]

It is very curious.

 

[Unepuce]

Checked them again last night... one of them was completely normal, the other was still a bit warmer - and it did feel like summer in the house. My current theory is that they had been lying on the same spot for some time or been sleeping in a ball just moments before they came to me, as I noticed on one episode. No other explanation comes to mind - they are definitely very active and happy - especially the new guy! I got my first rat just 2 years ago, but I have never seen one as playful as this little buddy! :lol: