4 week 3 day old baby walking funny showing signs of pain.

https://youtu.be/49RA-J5AKaw Today 11 babies were surrendered to us and all seem healthy except one which I noticed didn't want to play like the other babies... I got a video of him walking a little and his breathing is a bit fast for me.. Not much faster than normal but still noticabley different from the others breathing. I have infants motrin and battery in my scale went coput but if I had to guess I would say he weighs about 80 grams.. Though I know that isn't the best idea when giving meds especially to babes. Could this be maybe a birth defect? He doesn't squeak when I pet him or hold him but like I said there is clearly some discomfort from his breathing and his walk...

Typed this whole thing on my phone and it died ugh... anyway I've named little man Caleb and his breathing is normal now.. think he was just scared and a bit dehydrated as when I offered water he drank like a rabid dog. Had to help him use the water bottle and eat as he has trouble sitting up. He was moving about rather well but still walking funny so starting to think maybe a birth defect of some sort.. ill know more once our vet looks him over. He is very sweet and didn't mind me assisting him eating and drinking and even allowed me to smooch on him as he munched. He is smaller and skinnier than the other babes so gonna offer him yummy baby foods and such to help fatten him up.

oh you should check with Peggy (Hopefloats)
she's had a bunch of rats who walked funny and has a new one, her little girl with no tail, she kinda hops like a frog

sweet little thing but the back legs seem almost weak...?

Yes they are very stiff... He cant get them to bend properly so he has trouble doing normal things like sitting up to clean and eat... He has no trouble climbing though again his back legs stay straightened so he is forced to use his front arms to manuever.. I got him to drink some pediasure and he perked up even more so he definitely was hungry/thirsty... The lady said she removed mom last night but there was no water bottle and only seed mix in the little cage... So I am not sure they had anything to drink that whole time

He also cant scratch with them.. When he tries his butt shakes a bit but his legs dont move at all!!

Try to get a better video of him walking we have two disabled rats right now, both babies. we have had a litter of 8 born in the past. They can live normal lives my roo just passed in January just a few days after his third birthday. You need to watch and make sure his legs don't get stuck in the bars. We have our Lina in a bin cage till she grows a bit more.

Ok I will try to get a better video of him.

Hope that one is better

his legs look different but not painful. he isnt walking enough to get a really good view. it looks like hed in older rats....

The owner says she never noticed any of them walking weird but when she asked her husband he said he didn't notice last night he was walking funny but didn't concern him enough to say anything... they were being kept in a rat manor. I really don't know but if you say he doesn't look in pain and I don't think he is either then guess wait for vet to see what she thinks and until then I'll help him groom and eat..etc he is a dirty bird hehe.

I would wonder if he fell and injured his spine somehow
It does seem more like weakness than a deformity, to my totally inexperienced eyes

it could be from an injury more than anything else. when do you go to the vet?

Have to call Monday and schedule since they close at 12 the Saturday's they are open and they didn't get here till 12 and was probably another 30 minutes before I noticed as they immediately piled when transferred them from her cage to ours. But first thing Monday I will call and schedule hopefully can get him in Tuesday morning! He is playing now and hopping like a bunny..

it's possible they missed it. you ahould get a good video with a lot of walking or popcorning soon. I would love to see it. here is our girl lina. manx baby born with deformities.

https://youtu.be/6wulHbbJsBw

I will get videos tomorrow of him

I would make sure he's urinating and pooping normally and go on from there. I would also rub those itchy ears since he can't right now. He's a real doll!!

I don't know about peeing but I have seen him poop a few times so think that is all working. His one leg is actually attempting to move today so I am definitely leaning toward a injury but of course only time and the vet can help us put the pieces together since the previous owner swears everyone was in good working order on wednesday. My theory since they had them in a rat manor and some people swear by them but I hated mine with a passion!! The little shelves and middle level when just put in there have little gaps on the sides between them and the walls of the cage that babies this small can easily squeeze and get stuck. I know this from personal experience as I had it happen to one of the babies I had in mine. He got stuck inbetween the shelf and the wall of the cage but he squealed.. Like blood curdling squeal! Though he wasnt injured luckily he was just really scared! I can see just one wrong twist or turn could easily have caused damage to his back.. So that is my theory on that but how they didnt hear it.. Maybe they werent home but you have to admit this isn't something that even looks slightly normal if you see it just in passing. Best way to watch this video is with the sound off or you are stuck hearing my annoying voice haha. I will try to get one of him playing later when I get a chance. Enjoy the cuteness!!
https://youtu.be/edcfeQPTwAM

If you think it is injury then give him metacam or liquid infant ibu to help the inflammation and see if he improves faster.

He looks like he has a spinal issue and is dragging them. They also point outward and appear small - almost like they aren't growing like they should. He seems to get around though. He's an adorable dumbo rex...and he's a keeper!! Looks like you have yourself a new baby to care for... he knew what home to land in. :love6: