Strange behaviours?

[RitaRocks]

First of all, my newish rat Rosie has started going completely, and I mean completely limp when I pick her up. She's also been a lot lazier, I mean, she's always been scared and unwilling to come out of her cage, but now she's sleeping all the time.
Secondly, Tammy has started squeaking every time I pick her up. I don't pick her up roughly, I am as gentle as I can possibly be, but yet, she still squeaks.
And lastly, is that Rita had become a lot more subdued. I've had her for about 2 years now and she's always been such a hyper rat. Now, even when she's out of the cage, she's wanting to curl up and sleep. Why the change do you think?
If anyone is good with rat behaviour I'd be glad of a reply, or even just some common sense as I'm not so good at thinking straight. Is it me picking them up wrong? And is it just Rita maturing? I don't know. Please reply

 

[dspch911]

Rita is an elderly woman now and slowing down. The other two I'm not sure.

 

[jorats]

How old are the other two?
It does sound like Rita is showing her age, if you don't see any other alarming symptoms.

 

[RitaRocks]

Rita is an elderly woman now and slowing down. The other two I'm not sure.

Thank you, I thought it might be that

 

[RitaRocks]

How old are the other two?
It does sound like Rita is showing her age, if you don't see any other alarming symptoms.

No, Ri shows no other symptoms. Tammy is a year and a half, and Rosie is 5 months

 

[Joanne]

I would take them for a wellness check for a listen to their heart and lungs and a thorough palpation looking for anything out of the normal.

 

[jorats]

I agree with Joanne.

 

[RitaRocks]

I would take them for a wellness check for a listen to their heart and lungs and a thorough palpation looking for anything out of the normal.

All of them?

 

[jorats]

All of them?

I would, since you find there's a change in all of them.

 

[RitaRocks]

I would, since you find there's a change in all of them.

Okay, thank you. I know a vet quite personally, and she will see them for free, so I'll arrange a time soon for her to check them out. Thanks for your advice