Anyone out there that knows anything about pet rats?

Question

I have two pet rats, Mooch and Finn. Mooch has always been perfectly healthy, but Finn is a different story. He has seizures sometimes. My mom thinks that it happens when he gets to hot because my room can get pretty warm sometimes, but I try to keep it a decent temperature. These seizures have caused injuries to his feet and tail. He had several, but they stopped for a few weeks. The seizures just recently started again. Does anyone have any info on what may be happening?
I can't take him to the vet because my parents already have huge bills from my dogs and aren't willing to pay a ton on a rat.

Thanks
--Stephanie

Answer 1

Seizures are not specifically a disease, but rather constitute clinical signs that may manifest any number of underlying central nervous system disorders that result in the over-stimulation of nerve cells in the brain.
Ensure the rat’s environment is as free from stress as possible.
Prevent loud noises.
Prevent sudden changes in temperature.
Approach the rat slowly, speaking softly so as not to alarm.
Allow the rat to stay with cage mates unless they are causing undue stress.
Provide a safe environment with a one-level cage that includes soft bedding/litter.
Maintain a healthy diet free from sugar or sugar additives.

Answer 2

You shouldn't have a rat if you can't afford to care for it properly. Your poor rat needs medical care. Also rodents can die in a few minutes with temps above 90 degrees. I have had 7 rats and they are NOT cheap pets. I have probably spent over $600 on them so far in vet bills. I wish the petstores told you this when you purchased them. They make sure you know when you get them from the humane society though, at least the one I went to. Adopting my 2 was like adopting a child! The questions!!
You should join the yahoo group ratlist. Do a search on yahoo groups for ratlist or the ratlist. It's the best group, I have gotten a lot of info that I'm sure has saved my rats lives.

Answer 3

We have owned tons of pet rats, and tumors are actually quite common. I hope your rat doesn't have a brain tumor which could be causing these seizures. We've been fortunate enough with our rats that the tumors mainly occur on their hips or underarms. I would suggest seeing a vet as soon as possible to make sure it's not life-threatening.
As far as the heat goes, I found it helpful to fill a baking tray with water and freeze it, and then place it under the cage to cool it off. Rats also enjoy ice cubes and frozen fruits and veggis to cool off.

Answer 4

I've been known to pay a ton of money on a rat, but it was my own money. What makes paying vet bills for rats so un-cost-effective is the extremely short life span rats have. Mine usually lived to be about 2.5 years old. If I'd known then what I know now about the toxicity of cedar shavings, they might have lived to be 3 or 4.

Rats are susceptible to a great many maladies. Most pet rats are descended from lab rats, who were bred for cancer, after all.

The link below may have some useful information for you.

Answer 5

If you really loved your rat you'd go to the vet and volunteer to clean cages or something to get an answer and maybe treatment for the little guy. I watched a mother rat cringe her nose in the corner and shiver while one of her babies was taken out and put into another cage with a big lizard. The mother couldn't see the lizard or her baby, but somehow was reacting to the baby's fear. The lizard swallowed it head first, and when he bit down and the baby went limp, the mother stopped shaking and went back to normal. That probably didn't answer your question. You should go back to where you got the defective rat and get a replacement.

Answer 6

It sounds to me like he is having mini-strokes. If it were a tumor, you should be able to feel it, and tumors typically don't cause siezures. Just like people, some rats are susceptible to strokes, and can have a series of mini strokes that can cause loss of use or paralysis in the limbs. I had a rat like that about 12 years ago. I didn't realize what was happening, and then one day he had a big stroke and died. It happended pretty quick, and he did not suffer. If that is the case, there isn't much anyone can do. Normally, the mini strokes do not result in long lasting pain - just lack of use of his extremeties. Just make sure he is able to get to his food and water.

Answer 7

My son had a pet rat for 4 years. We didn't use cedar shavings, we used the lighter colored ones. Eventually his rat died of cancer, he had tumors. It cost $75 to have him put to sleep at the emergency vet's office bc it was late at night and he was having problems breathing. I guess if I had to do it over, I would have just let him die in peace at home bc the vet's office gave him a shot with a huge needle right into the heart. they say it's humane, but I don't know if I'd want to die that way. Make sure your room is cool enough.

Answer 8

I'm sorry to hear your parents wont help you get the rat to a vet. Can you do extra chores or take on a paper route to earn the money?

I've owned rats for many years and I was breeding quality fancy rats for shows and pets. To be honest I didnt see anything like you described. You have me puzzled.

Answer 9

ok yes i have had a rat before

rats are smarter than most dogs

they LOVE atenchen

make them mazes they will love it!

ummm i dont know about your rat but maybe u should keep a fan ON by them and pay close attenchen to what is making the seires

like the food you give him
the temp of room wether u have the fan off
stuff like that

with his tail and feet umm try to NOT play with him incase he might hurt himself

watch him and just hope things will be ok

srry this might not be to helpful but i hope he will ok

my wishes to you and your rat

Answer 10

you are not getting "a" rat, you get a pair or team of rats. As in 2 or greater (comparable gender). Use google to seek the information superhighway for rat web pages, or pass on your interior of reach library and grab some rat books - you will get much greater recommendations than we ought to ever sort out for you right here. i ought to furnish you a straightforward rundown, however. - Rats would desire to be stored in pairs or communities of an identical gender. Solo rats are in lots of cases risky and/or have behavioral issues. - adult males are slightly muskier smelling and greater laid decrease back, at an identical time as women have just about no scent and are greater energetic and playful. - Rats would desire to be stored in an excellent cage with lots of toys. they are energetic and clever, they want stuff to do. you like a minimum of two sq. feet in line with rat - and that they like mountain climbing, so taller is greater advantageous than wider. - Rats would desire to be dealt with on a regular basis, for a minimum of an hour. This incorporates companionship dealing with and play time in a rat proofed room with new toys! they want stimulation and interplay. with out it they are able to lose interest, and would get hyperactive and/or nippy. - Rat cages would desire to be wiped clean each and every 7-10 days. some could be clutter knowledgeable, meaning fleece padding desires washed as nicely as clutter field replaced. nonetheless think of you like a pair of rats? Google seek or pass to the library for greater recommendations.