Wayne is dragging his back legs

[ryderjb]

Hello Rat Shack!

I haven't been back on the forums since I adopted my two boys, Wayne and Jacques, nearly two years ago. They have been such a wonderful addition to my life and I'm so happy that Rat Shack helped me find them.

However, I noticed today that Wayne dropped his food once I gave it to him. Impossible! He would never do this. I investigated further... Once he was out of his cage, he was dragging his back legs, with the tail dragging on the floor as well. Now that I think of it, he has been sleeping on the bottom of the cage (which he normally doesn't do either).

I have read that it could be degenerative osteoarthritis... he is getting to be about that age. As I adopted him, we do not fully know his age, but my guess would be just about 2 years.

Also, and it makes me feel terrible to think about it, but last week I was carrying Wayne and he fell from about five feet in the air when he slipped off my shoulder. He has done this many times before as he is a clumsy little guy, but I hope he didn't break anything this time? I haven't been noticing this problem in the last few days though...

In any case, I am wondering if I should take him to the Vet (I live here in Guelph and heard there are good ones), or if you have any suggestions on how I should help him? I am having financial issues right now so the Vet isn't my top choice, but if it should be done I am more than willing to make the sacrifice for Wayne.

Thank you all very much for any information, you're the best.

Ryder

 

[jorats]

My first guess would be rear end degeneration which is very common at this age. It can also be caused by pituitary tumour which would also explain the dropping of the food. They have trouble hanging on to things.
If it was the fall that hurt him you would see a more rapid deterioration. He would be in pain, cold and listless.

 

[ryderjb]

jorats, thank you for your quick reply.

he doesn't seem to be in major pain, so that makes me think it isn't a fracture from the fall... however, this does seem to have happened quite quickly as i have not noticed it before tonight. would there be a big tipping point where he would suddenly go from normal functionality to fully dragging his back legs?

do you think i should take him to the vet tomorrow to get him looked at? will they be able to help me with anything?

 

[xxchelle]

It seems like it's rear-end degeneration, as Jo said. I'd be concerned about the not being able to hold food, though... Does he have any other symptoms?

 

[Rachael]

It may be PT if he isn't climbing at all and can't hold his food. Give him a treat he can't resist and see how he holds it... up off the ground, grasping onto it. If he's down on his elbows that's not good.

 

[jorats]

If it's PT and you have a exotic vet he may know to give you pred and antibiotic. That will help him and might slow the progression of loss of mobility.
But your vet might also be able to tell if it's a fracture in the spine or something like that.

 

[ryderjb]

I tired giving him a treat this morning --- he is unable to get up on his hind legs at all... he is dragging himself around wherever he goes. I'm worried

On the recommendation of one of Rat Shack's members, I got him an appointment at Mitchell Animal Hospital for tomorrow morning. I hope they can let me know whats going on... poor little Wayne.

 

[ryderjb]

Also, what is PT?

 

[Rachael]

Pituitary Tumour... which is a tumour in their brain. He would need a steroid injection for that and then course of steroid and baytril at home.

 

[jorats]

Good luck and do let us know what the vet says.

 

[Alicemcmallis]

He could also not be able to hold his food because of the lack of ability to balance on his hind end - he probably wouldn't be able to groom his head/face with both hands/arms at the same time either. One of my hind end degeneration rats was that way - he would have to prop himself up and hold his food with one hand...