Need a little advice... I believe one of our rats is dying..

[smmmiley]

Shadow came here in December. She has had at least two homes before us. She was shy and skittish for the longest time. At first she wouldn't come out of the cage, then she would come out on her own, but stick to under the cage, against the wall, in a corner... hiding. Away from our reach. It was always a challenge to get her back in the cage.
After about 2 months she started coming around. She gave us licks/kisses, explored more of the room, hallway, etc... Then she became more comfortable with us...more trusting. In the last month, she actually walked out onto our hands, let us hold her for a bit, no problems coming to us when it was time to put her back in the cage.
About two weeks ago, I noticed she started losing weight. Hubby thought it might be because of all the extra running around, but I was pretty sure no. She was the "chubby" one of the bunch, now not so much.
She has been "cuddling" more the last few days... thought she was just getting more cozy with us, but I knew in my heart it probably meant she was failing...
this morning she's lost significant mobility... falling over, etc... She can still walk, but not steadily, and she's quite limp.
I held her for a bit, but I feel she would like snuggles from her sister so I put her back in the cage, and am hoping they are helping her feel...loved. I just wonder what I should expect?
She doesn't seem to be in pain...
Should I be doing something?
:sad3:

 

[mamarat]

How old is your girl? Can you take her to the vet? Those symptoms could be from PT or a stroke. Good luck with your sweetie.

 

[smmmiley]

They said she was "around" 18 months old when we got her so...21 mos. now. I can't get her to a vet until later this afternoon If I'm lucky.
I am not so sure it's a stroke because it seems she has been "declining". If it's a pituitary tumour...
I've been reading on this forum every day since we first got rats in Oct. last Fall. I've read and read gaining more and more info., but now that I have a real problem, I can't seem to access any of that info... drawing blanks. My heart is in shock. I'm not ready for her to go...

 

[mamarat]

If it's PT, Pred would be a good choice of meds to try on her along with Baytril. At 21 months we know something is wrong with your baby. ( I mean it's not old age) Cabergoline and Bromocriptine are also good for PT.

 

[smmmiley]

Thank you, mamarat...
I hope she hangs in there until I can get her seen. :heart:

 

[lilspaz68]

Mamarat has hit it on the nose...the age is right for PT unfortunately. It could be inner ear infection, but it really does sound more like PT.

Can you offer her a cheerio or some small food item and see how she grasps (or is unable to grasp it properly) with her front paws?

 

[smmmiley]

She is unable to grasp. She was quite content to have me hold it for her, or eat it off the blanket. She is still able to use her back legs; however, she's generally just very limp.

We had to go out for the afternoon. When I got back, there weren't any cage mates with her so I've got her with me now.

Gave her some ensure... that was a messy time. Poor thing... I held her in one hand, with bowl in the other and she kind of dunked her mouth in it, trying to lap it up as best she could. Can't clean herself up so I did. She tries, and falls over, or backward.

 

[lilspaz68]

I am sorry, it really does sound like classic PT. You can get her on steroids ASAP and see if she responds? This can give your girl some real QOL if it works.