Strange Behavior-- I think he has PT

[handmeafish]

So, I was watching the rats, cause its calming and helps me fall asleep, and I saw Harry do something very strange.

He went through all the normal motions of grooming, and when he got to his back, he pulled him self back with his paws, and groomed the air. He couldn't reach the spot i guess (which is a spot i've seen rats groom many times) but instead of trying to reach further, he literally acted like he was grooming himself, but like half an inch from his fur! With the mouth moving and everything.

I've been worried about Harry lately, but I've had no real symptoms, and I don't want to just rush to the vet... I've been thinking its just him getting older more than anything. But this was just weird.

If anyone has seen this please let me know. Hopefully its just that he couldn't reach... but I really have no idea.

 

[hopefloats]

I have seen animals do that on occasion. Generally my dogs though. What else is going on that you think is wrong?

 

[Petunia]

hmm, I've seen distracted cats do this, but can't say I've seen a rat do it... at least not yet

maybe he was deep in thought and didn't realize he hadn't connected with his fur...

how old is he?

 

[jorats]

I've seen that before... but it never worried me. How old is Harry?

 

[handmeafish]

2.5ish on age. He just seems to have slowed down... It's been gradual so I'm not terribly worried, but he's sleeping more, he gave up alpha.

 

[mamarat]

Some of my oldies are on the (cough cough) fat side and I see that a lot. I usually just scratch for them and they lick my hand. Or if you put your hand behind their back as support they can reach the itchy spot.

 

[handmeafish]

mmm... Harry isn't terribly fat... but he's not a skinny rat either. Maybe next time i'll just give him a little scratch. It was just so bizarre watching him chew at the air, like he actually thought he was grooming

 

[Moon]

mmm... Harry isn't terribly fat... but he's not a skinny rat either. Maybe next time i'll just give him a little scratch. It was just so bizarre watching him chew at the air, like he actually thought he was grooming

Rats have a pretty set routine in how they groom, so unless they are actively distracted from it, he may have just been working through the motions even though he couldn't quite reach.

 

[MomRat]

Gregory did this when his tumors got too big, he would twist back as far as he could and 'groom'. Same with scratching himself with a hind foot, it would just flail around in the air. We gave him lots of scritchies then. =)

 

[handmeafish]

I think Harry has PT. I described his symptoms to Vic in chat, and it seems to line up. At least now I have something solid.
He isn't wobbly at all, I just saw him stand on his back legs... but one of his eyes is a bit bulgy, and his hair is thinning. Other than that he's just been grouchy and lethargic.
I was trying to convince my self his eyes were ok, I'd even asked my roomies who all said they didn't see a diff. But after taking picks, I see it for sure now.

I dunno if that has anything to do with his air grooming, but I didn't want to make a whole new post for it.