CherryChan
Well-Known Member
So, I have been on the rat shack a few times to ask for advice on my lovely little girls, Kiara and Vitani. They had a very bad case of myco and pnemonia((Kiara in particular)) when they were about 1 month old. They were put on meds for awhile, and then they had another flare up shortly after the meds were gone. I suggested to my vet a different med, and it seemed to have worked! *knock on wood* My babies have been so quiet ever since, no wheezing, and hardly any sneezing except for my albino, who has always been stuffy. They are about a year and a half now.
Now on to why I am worried today. Vitani and Kiara both seem perfectly fine, they run, they eat, they climb their cage, they wrestle and act perfectly normal. They are breathing fine, except Kiara breathes a little heavier when she is outside her cage, but acts perfectly normal, not scared. What im noticing though, is that when i pick her up, she goes a little limp, much weaker then she normally was. She also has a bit of a weird walk now, moving her hind legs a lot more outward then normal. I understand rats lose function in their back legs as they age, could this be why?
Also I need to mention a few other things. One, she ate a cheerio just fine, holding it fine and eating it all without any problems, so PT may be out. When i look at her from above, i notice on her left hind leg there is a VERY VERY slight "bump" in her fur. Its not like a pimple or anything, its almost as if her hair is thicker there. When i rub it a bit, she doesnt seem to be in pain, and i cant feel anything but squishy rat sides. I dont feel anything like a swollen lymph node or a tumor bump. Its almost airy, cause there is ultimately no resistance, just squish. Im assuming that this may be just where she is a little fatter on one side then the other.
Also, one other note. I was at work today, i work at a truck stop, and sat down, and noticed a very teeny tiny bug on my leg. It looked a LOT like a flea, im pretty sure it was one. I killed it and when i got home, i searched myself first, then i searched my rats for any sign of fleas(the flea i found was dark, so it didnt show up in either of my girls white fur)). I havent been itchy lately, but my rats to scratch a bit, but never to the point of scabbing. IF my rats DO have fleas, could it maybe be causing kiara to feel weak?
Make note I am setting up a vet appt. ASAP for a check up. Anyone know how much thatll be offhand?
Recap:
Kiara feels a bit weak when i hold her
Sorry for making such a long post, like i said im bringing her to the vet ASAP, but was wanting a second opinion. Love you guys! :bow:
Now on to why I am worried today. Vitani and Kiara both seem perfectly fine, they run, they eat, they climb their cage, they wrestle and act perfectly normal. They are breathing fine, except Kiara breathes a little heavier when she is outside her cage, but acts perfectly normal, not scared. What im noticing though, is that when i pick her up, she goes a little limp, much weaker then she normally was. She also has a bit of a weird walk now, moving her hind legs a lot more outward then normal. I understand rats lose function in their back legs as they age, could this be why?
Also I need to mention a few other things. One, she ate a cheerio just fine, holding it fine and eating it all without any problems, so PT may be out. When i look at her from above, i notice on her left hind leg there is a VERY VERY slight "bump" in her fur. Its not like a pimple or anything, its almost as if her hair is thicker there. When i rub it a bit, she doesnt seem to be in pain, and i cant feel anything but squishy rat sides. I dont feel anything like a swollen lymph node or a tumor bump. Its almost airy, cause there is ultimately no resistance, just squish. Im assuming that this may be just where she is a little fatter on one side then the other.
Also, one other note. I was at work today, i work at a truck stop, and sat down, and noticed a very teeny tiny bug on my leg. It looked a LOT like a flea, im pretty sure it was one. I killed it and when i got home, i searched myself first, then i searched my rats for any sign of fleas(the flea i found was dark, so it didnt show up in either of my girls white fur)). I havent been itchy lately, but my rats to scratch a bit, but never to the point of scabbing. IF my rats DO have fleas, could it maybe be causing kiara to feel weak?
Make note I am setting up a vet appt. ASAP for a check up. Anyone know how much thatll be offhand?
Recap:
Kiara feels a bit weak when i hold her
- Both rats act normally when not held, running around and playing
- Both rats eat well, neither are losing weight
- Both rats are around 1 1/2 years old.
- Both have battled myco, but havent had any flare ups for months+are not showing any symptoms
- I found a single flea on both me, my rats, and all my other animals are medicated for them--and i checked REALLY well. A lot of truck drivers have dogs, so hopefully its was a dog flea.
- Kiara can hold a cheerio just fine and eat it
- The "lump" I found on Kiara's thigh is not painful, and it doesnt feel like a lump, it feels more like squish.
Sorry for making such a long post, like i said im bringing her to the vet ASAP, but was wanting a second opinion. Love you guys! :bow: