Strokes

[Kat]

My rat has had a few strokes, and has severe headtilt, weakness, and can't walk properly anymore-- she keeps falling over. This morning I was woken up around 6am to the sound of an animal scream. I started freaking out thinking it was my cat-- because it was very loud. So i search for my cat and find her sleeping, so I ran to my rat and found her leaning against her cage screaming. It was pretty loud, so I didn't expect that sound to come out of a rat. After she stopped screaming I picked her up and held her, and she fell asleep in my hands so i put her back into her hammock. Then when I came home later on from work, I went to go see her again and I noticed she had a weird cut on her forehead. She seems to be doing worse when the weeks progress. Her first stroke was about a month and a half ago and she's just been going down hill ever since. My mom is telling me it would be a good idea to have her put to sleep because it's not fair for her to have to go through pain. At first I didn't think she was in pain, but from her screams this morning I just can't bear to put her through anymore just because I don't want to part with her. My mom contacted the vet and asked how much it would be to put a rat to sleep and they told her its $50. I find that to be pretty steep, but then again, I've never had a pet put down. What should I do? Should I let her live out her remaining life, or should I say my goodbyes. It's just really upsetting to see her slipping away.

 

[jorats]

I would strongly suggest you bring her to a vet and get a full examination. The screams have me worried. I've never heard a rat scream for nothing before...

 

[Kat]

That's what has me worried too, the only problem is that I don't know of any vets around me who actually specialize in rats

 

[jorats]

Oh... that is a problem.

 

[Debbie]

I wonder if your rattie is having seizures, rather than strokes. Or perhaps she has a serious inner ear infection causing her symptoms. Either way, I too would suggest getting her to the vet right away. Even if you do end up having to say good-bye to her :sad3: it would be better for her, than suffering. I've had a ratties who had seizures and strokes, but never screamed. Screaming is very serious and she could be in pain. :sad3:

 

[Kat]

Any idea on how she could have gotten that weird cut on her forehead? Cause there is nothing sharp in her cage, nothing I can think of that could hurt her. What kind of symptoms do rats show if they have seizures? And I don't think it could be an ear infection, her ears look clean on the inside and shes not scratching them or anything--unless if you can't tell just by looking at her.

 

[lilspaz68]

Was she ever treated for this stroke or inner ear infections? Sounds like she panicked and ran into something

 

[Kat]

There are no vets in my area that specialize in rat care. and I can't think of anything she can run into, there is nothing sharp or pointy in her cage, and its one of those big superpet ferret cages, so the plastic pan (or whatever you call it) it pretty high, and I don't think that would cut her.

 

[lilspaz68]

If you have no vets nearby and are unable to get her treated then it looks like you are going begging to cat and dog vets to put her to sleep since it sounds like she is suffering. You could ask for a sedative injection before the euthasol injection since most cat/dog vets won't gas first.

You may also want to reconsider having rats in your life til you are able to find a good rat vet...I cannot imagine how I would've gotten by without my vet.

 

[Kat]

Yeah, my mom called a vet clinic for me a few days ago and they told her it would be 50$ to have her pts...

 

[lilspaz68]

Call another vet. My own vet charges $65...your little girly is suffering.

 

[Kat]

They are the only clinic who will put rats to sleep in my area, we were referred to them by the vet i take my cat to. She's only 18 months old, I don't understand how she could be going downhill. She eats super healthy (Harlan lab blocks, and I also give her fresh veggies, occasionaly organic baby food, some plain pasta, etc), always has clean water (i use bottled cause tap water is gross), I spot clean her cage everyday and thouroughly clean it every week.
Could it have started when she was young? Because I actually got her from a petstore when her eyes were just opening, she was a feeder. I've heard stories that that pet store doesn't feed their feeders, so could that have anything to do with it.. if that makes sense--lack of nutrition at her very young age maybe?

Update: I was snuggling with her this morning when I woke up, and she's still bruxxing (sp?) when I hold her-- which I would take as a good sign, but her balance seems to be getting worse. When I put her down on my bed she would fall over, and when she walked she was very wobbly.

 

[Moon]

Bruxxing can be a sign of stress, especially severe stress like this.

Chances are very good that this is a case of a serious, serious inner ear infection. If it is deep enough you may not see signs. As for the cut, if her balance is bad, she may have been scratching at herself and caused the cut herself.

And her current condition may not be a symptom of previous care, or current care.... rats at pet stores are NOT bred to be healthy, they are bred to be bought quickly.. especially the feeders. She probably does not have genetics on her side. And, really, many rats don't even get to 1.5 years old.

If you are unable to get her to a vet that will give her meds, she is NOT going to get better. She is certainly suffering. I agree with Spaz, if there aren't any vets in your area who will see rats, you may need to wait to have more for a later date. Or, until you can travel further to get to one who will. Even though there are 2 vets in my area who claim to treat exotics, I travel an hour to see Dr Munn in Toronto.

 

[Kat]

My baby passed away late last night, I woke up this morning and saw her laying in her hammock and noticed she wasn't breathing..
I buried her in my backyard with all her favorite things this morning, including one of my sweaters that she loved to lay in... she will be greatly missed... :heart: :heart: RIP Tail :heart: :heart: She was the best rattie ever, so sweet and cuddly...

 

[rat.charmer]

I'm so sorry.

 

[jorats]

I'm so sorry. :sad3:

 

[mamarat]

I'm sorry. :hugs:

 

[PiedPiper]

I' so sorry. :sad3:

 

[lilspaz68]

I am sorry Kat, it really does sound like PT, where they get wobbly and brux a lot. They often go quietly at home, its a small blessing.

 

[Moon]

I'm so sorry Kat. :sad3: