Something has GOT to be wrong with her

[Muffin]

One of my rats seems to be acting strange this morning. She was fine yesterday-- climbing around the cage, playing with the other four rats in the cage, just generally being how she normally is. Today, I woke up and noticed her up in the top corner of the cage-- huddling herself into a ball, not moving. The other four rats were jumping around the cage and climbing up to the top to greet me as they normally do. But this little girl didn't move. I whistled at her and she moved her head towards me, and I took her out of the cage. She looks a lot skinnier than she did yesterday, which seems strange to me. She also looks tired and not as well groomed as usual-- I wouldn't say she looked disheveled, just not as sleek as normal. I let her out on my bed, where normally she runs around climbing on everything, she just stayed in one little spot today-- and when she tried to climb up me, she needed help.

For additional information-- she is 1 year 6 months old. I raised her from a baby when my friend's bought me a rat who turned out to be pregnant. Her mother didn't live all that long-- I got her mother a year ago in the end of Decemeber, and she died almost a year ago now-- so I only had her for six months-- we speculate it was a heart attack or something of the like.

Is there anything I should be doing for my little ratling? I love her so, and while I know their life spans aren't very long... it doesn't seem like her time. She's the big momma of this cage, and she's always the most active.

 

[jorats]

It could be that she's having an off day or it could be worse. The start of a respiratory infection or a pituitary tumour can cause those symptoms.
I'd get her to a vet to have a good check up and get her lungs checked out as well.

 

[Godmother]

It's amazing how suddenly things can change. I hope that you can get her to a vet; there are several things that could cause her change in behaviour. I hope that she is at least able to take some food and water. Hope all turns out well after her vet visit.

 

[mamarat]

She doesn't sound well at all. I would bring her to the vet too. At 18 months lots of ratties can get sick very fast. Good luck with your sweetie.

 

[crumbilina]

Will she eat anything? When my rats look off I immediately go for the baby cereal and ensure.

This could perk her up a bit. I'd still go to the vet after trying this, but I always believe in feeding them something to see if they perk up.

 

[Muffin]

I got her to eat a little bit of apple sauce, but that was it. I left her in the cage for a few hours because I had to get down to my parent's house to do some laundry.

I just got home a little while ago... and she had died in the time that I was gone. Talking to my friend who is slightly more knowledgeable about rats than I am, said that it sounded like she had a stroke. She seemed dazed, couldn't walk well, and wouldn't climb. Before I left for my parent's I held her for awhile and told her how much I loved her and how she was such a silly, fun rat. So, at least I got to say goodbye. But she was my heart rat, and it hurts badly. I lost her mother a year ago, a sickly rat I got for my birthday almost a year ago-- and now my heartrat.

I love my rats, it's just so sad that things can go wrong so quickly and that their life span isn't very long.

 

[Rachael]

It's possible it was a brain tumour if she hadn't been climbing and was confused.

I'm so sorry.

 

[crumbilina]

I'm so sorry to hear this

 

[mamarat]

I'm so sorry. RIP little one.

 

[xxchelle]

I'm so sorry for your loss

 

[puffnstuff]

Oh dear, what a shock. :heart:

I know you will miss her so much, and it's always so heartwrenching when these things happen so suddenly and without warning. Just be happy knowing that you gave her and her siblings a wonderful loving life. Seems like it was fate that the sickly preggo momma rat ended up in your care; otherwise who knows what would have become of her babies if she didn't end up being given to you.

 

[jorats]

I'm so so sorry... from what you describe and with how it started I'd say more of a bleeding pituitary tumour. Those are fast and usually painless for rats, they just start to shut down.
She'll always be with you.

 

[Muffin]

Sorry for not being more clear. Momma rat wasn't sickly. I lost two rats within the same time frame. Momma rat, and then a month or so later I got another, very young female rat who ended up being very sickly.

Momma rat was slightly aggressive-- but only towards men, and a few choice ladies. Never really towards me except about three days after I got her. Before I knew she was pregnant-- I reached into her cage to take her out and she chomped down right on my thumb. I still have nerve damage from that little diva. But once she had the babies she was always great towards me.

 

[Godmother]

I'm so sorry. What a shock for you, to lose her so fast. It sounds like you have many precious memories of her, and she will always be in your heart.