Need advice about rat with malabsorbtion

[Arlene]

My rat, Templeton, has not been eating well at all and been losing weight for a few months now. When he started to be puffed up and hunched over in addition to losing weight, I took him to the vet. He was examined and x-rayed and nothing unusual showed up. We just don't know what's wrong. He's on Baytril in case it's an infection and have recently added Dexamethasone in case there is inflammation and/or a tumor. His appetite has improved greatly and he seems to feel a little better. However, he can't seem to gain any weight no matter how much we feed him! We are constantly offering him food which he eagerly gobbles down. Anyone have any advice? This little guy is driving us crazy. I'd really like to know how to help him feel better.

 

[jorats]

He could very well have intestinal issues where he can't absorb the protein and fat.
As a rule, rats shouldn't have a high protein diet and even more so if they are older. Kidney disease is very common in older rats.
The dex will surely help if it is intestinal issues. I'd recommend putting him on a low protein, high fat diet. Keep him on his meds too.

Give him avocados, coconut milk, baby food with olive oil.
Studies have also shown a high fat/low protein diet will help kick start the metabolism so that the system no longer lose muscle mass.

 

[Arlene]

Hi Jo,

Thanks for your swift and helpful reply. My rats are pretty much on a vegetarian diet already so the low protein part isn't much of a problem. I can give Templeton more Olive oil and will stop by the store and get the other foods you suggested. I've tried giving them avocado before but they hated it. Thanks again for helping!

 

[user 78]

I managed to get a good bit of weight back on to Prissy Penns by using Nutrical[Stat] with her meds. A small blob two times a day has managed to not only put her lost weight back on, but a few extra grams.

 

[Arlene]

I have some Nutrical but he won't eat it. Do you mix it with his food?

 

[user 78]

I give it to Penn in her meds. When she was getting really thin, I was mixing a blob into her Ensure/baby cereal/lab block mix. She loves the taste of it, though, so that may be part of it.

If he has any cagemates right now, you can give them a bit. Maybe if he sees them eating it, he'll be more inclined to try it. If you can stomach it, you could try tasting a smidge to get it on your breath. It tastes pretty nasty, though, so just a teeny tiny bit. I have to do this with Grey sometimes with new foods.

 

[Arlene]

Hi Kat,

Giving his cage mate extra food has definitely caused another a problem. We are thinking of changing Merlin's name to Butterball! LOL

I've given it to the ferrets before when they were sick. I will try some with Templeton tomorrow. Hopefully, he will like it. Thanks!

 

[user 78]

That is indeed the way of thing. Fingers crossed that Templeton eats it up!