Is he weaker on one side then the other?
Does he have a head tilt? Does he turn in one direction? Does he circle or roll?
Are his teeth ok? Are they too long?
Is he losing weight? (a digital scale that weighs accurately to 1 gram and has a tare function is a good investment if you do not have one)
Is he peeing and pooping normally? Looks ok? more often, less, the same?
Can you post some videos of him - walking, eating etc?
Post the videos to youtube and then post the links on here
If you are on facebook, you may also want to post to the group Real Rat Lovers Want to Know
If you take him to a vet to get him on proper medication make sure you mention what he is on because there may be a waiting period between stopping the current meds and starting new meds. For example, many pain meds and prednisone can not both be given and there is a waiting period between when one can be started if the other was previously given - prednisone reduces inflammation so may help with pain (according to my vet)
- an antibiotic such as baytrilor combo of antibiotics + a steroid such as prednisone is the treatment for most of the conditions it could be. Please see the links I have provided below
The treatment for an inner ear infection is an antibiotic, baytril is sometimes used but clavamox or another antibiotic may penetrate better - rats usually need to be on antibiotics for at least 6 weeks and sometimes it may take months for an inner ear infection to clear up. Usually an anti-inflammatory such as metacam or a steroid such as prednisone or dexamethasone is given for a few weeks to prevent further damage. Rats can not just stop taking prednisone, it needs to be slowly reduced over time by cutting the dose in half, and steroids must be given with an antibiotic.
http://ratguide.com/health/auricle_ear/otitis_media_otitis_interna_labyrinthitis.php
The treatment for neurological problems, such as a stroke etc is an antibiotic such as baytril plus a steroid such as prednisone or dexamethasone
The treatment for pt is an antibiotic such as baytril + a steroid such as prednisone or dexamethasone - to reduce symptoms by reducing inflammation in the tissue around the tumor (both meds are given for the remainder of the rat's life)
and the most common type of pt will also respond to cabergoline .
If the tumor is slow growing, then these meds may help to give the rat more good quality time. Some rats have had up to an additional 6 months of good quality time because of the meds .... People generally test for pt by handing their rat something small like a cheerio and seeing if the rat can hold it in both paws and eat it. The wheelbarrow test is also used - please see the following link for info
http://ratguide.com/health/neoplasia/pituitary_tumor.php http://ratguide.com/meds/central_nervous_system_drugs/cabergoline.php
http://ratguide.com/meds/antimicrobial_agents/enrofloxacin_baytril.php
http://ratguide.com/meds/antimicrobial_agents/clavamox_amoxicillinclavulanate.php
http://ratguide.com/meds/antimicrobial_agents/chloramphenicol.php
http://ratguide.com/meds/endocrine_hormones/prednisone_prednisolone.php
http://ratguide.com/meds/endocrine_hormones/dexamethasone.php
Support and care is essential. Getting rid of levels that he could fall from is important. Hanging hammocks low so that he can easily walk into them is important. You will want to provide a water dish that can not be upset in addition to the water bottle. Covering the floor of his cage so it is soft and padded may help him - bedding may need to be changed a couple of times/day so he stays dry etc
If he does not live with other rats, then he will need to spend a lot of time being cared for, handled, cuddled etc by you and your husband
In addition to his regular foods, you will want to feed soft foods that are easy for him to eat and also help with hydration. If he becomes unable to eat out of a dish, he might be able to lick food off your finger or lick it off the end of a syringe. If putting foof etc into his mouth with a syringe, make sure you do it into the side of his mouth, one drop t a time - so that it does not go down into his lungs
- soak his rat blocks in cold water to make mush
- feed him a shallow dish of organic soy infant formula thickened with baby cereal a couple of times a day (if not sold in your grocery store, Walmart sells it online)
both of these will provide him with needed nutrition and help to keep him hydrated
you can also feed cooked and mashed sweet potato, peas, baked squash, cooked and mashed carrots, cooked oatmeal (the real stuff not instant), baby food, etc
You will want to modify his favorite things and activities so he can enjoy his life
He will likely need help with grooming - many people use a warm damp cloth, or support his head and upper body with him resting on your open hand (wrist and palm) while he soaks for a few minutes in a few inches of warm water in the sink - if he is comfortable doing this,
You will need to check for penis plugs daily and treat them as he will likely have a difficult time grooming himself. Information here
http://ratguide.com/health/aging_degenerative_disorders/vesical_proteinaceous_plug.php
He may also need you to groom him by gently brushing him with a soft new unused tooth brush
You will need to make sure he is well hydrated because dehydration kills - one test is to gently pull up on the skin on the back of his neck and let go, if it snaps back into place he is probably not dehydrated. The vet can teach you how to give sub-Q fluids and sell you the equipment, including 27 gauge butterfly needles
You will need to keep an eye on his breathing in case he starts to have difficulty or develops a resp. infection. You will also want to monitor his weight
Signs of pain in rats
http://ratguide.com/health/basics/signs_of_pain_in_rats.php
If there comes a point where he is suffering you will want to consider if euthanasia is in his best interests. Most vets do not know how to do it humanely so you will need to make sure it is done right and be present to comfort him if at all possible. The humane way is for the rat to be given the gas/oxygen mix used for surgery, once deeply unconscious the vet needs to test his reflexes - gently pinching toes and checking for an eye reflex. When unconscious to at least a surgical level, the vet will inject him .... and he will be kept unconscious with the gas/oxygen mix until he is dead - the vet should check at least twice, listening for a heart beat with time in between - most vets do not know how to do it properly - a conscious rat must never be given a needle into their heart - this is so cruel that it is illegal in many places
I hope this info has helped and I am sorry if I gave too much info, but I do not know how much you know about these things.
Please answer the questions and post videos asap as it will help
I sent messages to Lilspaz68 and Jorats. Hopefully they will soon respond
If you do decide to give pain meds, lilspaz68 can help with the dose
{{hugs}} to Myro