My 1.5 year old rat Baron started showing some strange symptoms a week ago. I noticed he was having trouble balancing himself while grooming and would often kind of tip over when trying to get to his butt or other hard to reach spots. He's a little bit chubby so I chalked it up to that, even considered the beginnings of HED.
Now he's having a little trouble with balance while walking. He can still get around his cage just fine but I see that he'll kind of veer in a direction he didn't mean to go in, look a bit confused, and then right himself. He's just been clumsier.
He is still eating lots of food with his paws okay, but sometimes he's tip a bit, but he can still grasp small foods. It's just while grooming and walking he's a little clumsy and confused. Maybe a little bit more lethargic and bruxing a little more often than usual, but usually at times where he'd be happy like when I put a fresh dish of food in, so it's hard to tell if it's pain bruxing or excited/happy bruxing.
I'm taking him to the vet in the morning but wanted to get opinions and tips on caring for him if it turns out to be either of these things.
Edit: as I sit here next to him I notice he's a little bit sneezier than usual but his breath and lungs sound clear. Maybe it was a mild URI that led to an ear infection? Not sure.
Now he's having a little trouble with balance while walking. He can still get around his cage just fine but I see that he'll kind of veer in a direction he didn't mean to go in, look a bit confused, and then right himself. He's just been clumsier.
He is still eating lots of food with his paws okay, but sometimes he's tip a bit, but he can still grasp small foods. It's just while grooming and walking he's a little clumsy and confused. Maybe a little bit more lethargic and bruxing a little more often than usual, but usually at times where he'd be happy like when I put a fresh dish of food in, so it's hard to tell if it's pain bruxing or excited/happy bruxing.
I'm taking him to the vet in the morning but wanted to get opinions and tips on caring for him if it turns out to be either of these things.
Edit: as I sit here next to him I notice he's a little bit sneezier than usual but his breath and lungs sound clear. Maybe it was a mild URI that led to an ear infection? Not sure.
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