Tail carriage

[MMak]

I was trying to search for the answer to this (both on the forum and the internet) but wasn't able to find much...
I've noticed the past 2 times I've had Marco out that he's carrying his tail differently when he jogs around. The base will be straight, a large portion of the middle will swoop upwards into a "hill" and then it goes straight again at the end.
I know their tail is their main balance, so I'm wondering if this would mean anything..

He's a complete clutz (always has been), so he's had some pretty scary falls in his past. He's not able to jump and climb as well anymore, which is why I'm concerned about his tail carriage. He's never been an expert climber or jumper.. but I find he falls a lot more now, as in he'll climb 1/4-1/3 the way up and then just fall onto his back.
He's starting to go off to his side at first whenever I put him back on the floor too.
I was thinking maybe all of this is a sign of HED, although from the way he walks, his hind legs almost appear stronger then his forelegs. I've been trying to do some more research on PT as well.. I'm not experienced with neither of these health issues in rats.

Sorry this post is a bit jumbled with my thoughts and observations, but any help or info is appreciated

 

[jorats]

I've never really observed how the rats hold their tails but I have noticed that the young ones hold them off the floor while the older rats don't bother which makes their tail pretty yucky and dirty.
That would make an interesting "project" to see if their are any difference in the way the tail is and any typical ailments like PT or HED.

 

[MMak]

I'm usually a highly observant person lol so any slight changes and I'm bound to notice it.
Polo just hovers his over the ground, straight...and I THINK thats what Marco used to do too...but now he holds it in this odd shape for some reason.

 

[Nekopan]

Does Marco have a wheel that he runs on a lot? I've heard that rats that wheel run a lot get "wheel tail" - where they hold their tails up as if they're still on the wheel. I haven't seen it in my guys since none of them really like the wheel.

 

[Moon]

Does Marco have a wheel that he runs on a lot? I've heard that rats that wheel run a lot get "wheel tail" - where they hold their tails up as if they're still on the wheel. I haven't seen it in my guys since none of them really like the wheel.

Wheel tail usually results in a tail that curves right up over their back... Marco's doesn't sound like this. But it's a good question.

How old is Marco? I'd wager that this is his way of dealing with age related balance issues, like someone with a walker.

 

[MMak]

Marco's exact age is unknown, although their 2nd birthday is believed to be coming up. (Their "adopted" birthday is in the beginning in Feburary)
So, yes, age is very likely to be a factor.

He doesn't run on a wheel, neither does Polo... their terrified of wheels! hahaha I use to have a big one for them and they would never go near that section of the cage, except to drop toys into it and then run away to hide. :giggle:

To give a better idea of how he holds his tail, it's similar to this. Although, his whole tail may be at a slightly higher angle.
The grey line is suppose to be the ground to give an idea of about how high its held. lol

 

[jorats]

That does seem odd. I'll have to check my guys and get back to you on that.

 

[Bamboo]

Hmm, I can honestly say I've never seen anything like that before. Most of mine hold their tails differently but I've never seen anything even close to that.

Is it as extreme as the drawing or did you exaggerate to show the general shape? Does it look kinked at all?

 

[MMak]

No, my drawing is pretty darn close. If anything, it may not even do it justice, as I think he may hold it at a slightly bigger angle.
When he's walking around in the cage he holds it pretty low and straight, it's just when he's free-ranging and jogging around.

 

[Bamboo]

Weird. Can you feel anything physically different in that part of the tail? I mean, could it be the result of a minor injury? You said he's a little clumsy...maybe he did something to it and that's just the way it healed.

I don't really know, I'm just thinking out loud lol.

 

[MMak]

Nope, I've felt it numerous times and nothing seems to be "irregular" with it. I was thinking it could be the result of an injury as well, but I thought that it might not make sense since he doesn't constantly hold it like that...
Mysterious rat!