No Idea- Confusion, Lethargy, Frantic Air-Sniffing

[veggieperson]

Our normally healthy rat Baby has recently been experiencing some symptoms that we're both a bit confused by. I'm going to get her to the vet tomorrow but I'd like to know what's wrong so I can try to start treating it myself.

Baby is usually a pretty relaxed rat, but recently she has become unusually lethargic and has been napping in weird places (aka in the middle of the cage instead of in her favorite hammocks with her friends). However, when I have her out with me, she becomes a bit frantic, sniffing at the air incessantly and running about (someone described her as looking 'high', which is a relatively good description actually). She doesn't stop this until I put her in my hood or inside my sweater, where she calms down. She doesn't seem stressed, just... confused? She is bruxing more than usual, I'm assuming out of stress, but no porpyrin staining and her eyes are more often than not big and bright. I have also seen her having trouble climbing the side of the cage, and a few stumbles here and there (she actually just fell over on her side in my lap, got right back up like it didn't happen). No head tilting.

Any ideas? I'm very worried about her and want to start getting her better! Thanks

 

[mamarat]

How old is Baby?

 

[veggieperson]

Baby's about 5-6 months old

 

[jorats]

From what you describe, it sounds like something neurological but she's quite young for that.
How's her breathing?

 

[veggieperson]

Her breathing is very normal, and she has no history of respiratory problems. She is quite young which is one of the reasons why I'm so confused by her symptoms, and she's always been very healthy.

 

[jorats]

Some rats got through a fear phase at about that age, usually though it's about 3 months old.
That could be it?
But if your gut is telling you there is something wrong then it might be wise to see a vet.

 

[Godmother]

The loss of balance is worrying. I wonder if rats can lose their balance before they get a head tilt when they have an inner ear infection? It seems to me that Clara got pretty bad before there was any hint of a tilt.

At her young age, that's what seems most likely. Let's hope that the vet can sort it out.

 

[veggieperson]

That would make sense with her symptoms... I'm going to hope that's the problem and just keep a close eye on her. The only thing that wouldn't make sense with that would be the instability, but I guess we'll find out at the vet tomorrow! Thank you so much for your help, I'll post tomorrow after her doctor visit with any new information.

 

[veggieperson]

The loss of balance is worrying. I wonder if rats can lose their balance before they get a head tilt when they have an inner ear infection? It seems to me that Clara got pretty bad before there was any hint of a tilt.

At her young age, that's what seems most likely. Let's hope that the vet can sort it out.

I had thought about it being an ear infection, but I had always associated this with a head tilt. This would definitely make sense with her instability, I will put this down on my list of questions for the vet. Thank you!