Tail curves to one side... anyone else seen this?

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uglycupcake

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2011
Messages
69
Location
Toronto
My rat's tail seems to go to one side permanently... it curves sharply to one side at the base.


*similar to this*

I moved the tail back into its original straight position with no issues, but the minute I let go, the tail snaps back into that position. I've also noticed that when she's running around the cage, and the tail brushes up against things, it will move out of that position, but because the objects are forcing it that way, and the second it loses contact with that surface, it will whip back.

I've felt the base of her tail and her groin area and I've noticed that there are little tiny bumps, a bit bigger than the tip of a ball point pen.

Anyone else have experience with this? I'm wondering if it could be a symptom of something bigger.
She's activeand doesn't seem to be in pain.
 
My Cocotte had her tail like that, she had a small tumor at the base of the tail pushing it to the side. Surgery wasn't an option as she had cancer too. (not related to the tail) Good luck with your sweetie.
 
If her tail has always been like that, I wouldn't be as concerned as if it's a new thing. If it's new, then I would take her to the vet's.
 
Its new unfortunately :( ... and I guess it is a tumor... or several little ones. My vet does neuters for $105 (amazing), so hopefully a tumor removal will just as nicely priced.
 
Unfortunately I can't see the photo for reference but from your description I've experienced something similar (give or take 9 years ago.. it's been almost a decade since I've visited theratshack!) with one of my first mischiefs, specifically with my older boy Bug. If I remember correctly, at around the 1.5 year old mark, I noticed that his tail would shift and bend to the right w/ the tail making a curve and the the bend started at the base of the tail. This only happened when he would walk. My vet at the time wasn't sure what was causing it but she prescribed Bug Meloxicam twice a day. The Meloxicam didn't make any difference in how his tail would curve to the right but it turned out that the tail curving was an early symptom of hind end degeneration/spinal stenosis. I don't remember if Bug had tiny nodules but the tiny bumps you've been feeling may or may not be related but they may be synovial cysts which sometimes manifest (in humans) when there is an underlying issue like osteoarthritis in the spine or joints and in spinal stenosis. : (

You could try giving your girl a B complex supplement with a quality B12 (B12 Methylcobalamin rather than Cyanocobalamin), for 4 weeks and see if that offers any improvement. You might also want to try adding a Cosequin or similar supplement (glucosamine Hydrochloride/Chondroitin Sulfate/MSM). The ratguide has some recommend dosages and I've had pretty good results with one of my 3 year old ratties when giving the higher end dose.

I hope that your little lady feels better soon and finds some relief! Hopefully adding both or one of the supplements can help slow the progression if it turns out to be lower back related. Sending lots of ❤️ for your lady.
 
One of my rats, Ni Ni, ended up falling off of his platform and hitting his back on a hide. I was there and watched it happen and, like a concerned parent, immediately scooped him up and offered my comfort to him. After a half an hour of coddling him, icing his back, and just holding him, I discovered no injury thankfully. He didn't seem to have any issues with feeling in his toes, tail, nothing felt cold, etc. And after the half an hour mark, he went on about his day like nothing was wrong.

I had called my vet and they told me to watch him and if he had signs of pain or stress, to bring him in. He never did after I coddled him.

However, six months or a year (can't remember exactly) later, Ni's tail curves slightly to his left. He can straighten out his tail , but his tail is almost always curved to the side, especially when walking. I'm one of those people that like to gently stroke or mess with their rat's tail, so long as the rat tolerates it. He's never indicated any pain when I've gently tugged on his tail or stroked it, and he is a vocal rat and would have told me if something was bugging him. He moves his tail like any normal rat, using it for balance, grooms it, etc. I've felt the tip of his tail and it feels warm like him.

I think it's some nerve issue within the rat's tail, either from a fall (such as Ni Ni), or from other factors. Pressure on nerves can do weird things, man. A dog of mine would periodically lose control of his back legs due to a brain tumor pushing on his motor nerves (he was eventually euthanized when we found out what it was). Some of us people can attest from sciatica running down our legs when nerves are pressed on lol.

I'd say, so long as the rat doesn't seem to be uncomfortable, unhappy, in pain, etc. I'd say to leave it be. This isn't always true for everyone, but Ni Ni seems to have no issue, other than he carries his tail a little differently than the other rats.
 
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