temblabamomo
Senior Member
Hi Shackers. Hope it is okay that I started a new thread on this. I posted previously about Moose, but having computer/internet issue and having trouble with certain search/thread features on the Shack today :/
Moose was neutered 7/31/14 for his bad behavior - total bully, super puffy around other rats, etc. Good news - he is no longer acting hormonal, so that is one good thing.
However, his weight has ballooned, I would call him morbidly obese now. He was 736g on 7/31, I will get a current weight when I get home. He is so fat he's having trouble walking, and has developed mild bumbles on both back feet (which I am dabbing with Blu Kote now). He's in a clean, single FN, and I'm sure the bumbles are from the extra weight on his feet, not a dirty cage, etc.
He sits over the food bowl and will just eat (oxbow) mechanically for a long, long time. Just stuffs his face. He does not get treats anymore. I try to give him stuff to keep busy with in the cage, and he gets out time everynight, but now that he's so fat he will waddle around for a few minutes, then just lay under the bed and stare into space. In the cage he just sits (usually next to the food bowl) and doesn't do much of anything.
His back is very greasy and flakey now, probably because he can't reach to groom. I try to help him, and comb grease out, but he squeaks like I'm hurting him, or like he is very sensitive. Before the neuter, he loved cuddles. Now he squeaks if I so much as touch him, and tries to get away. I have felt him as well as I can just in case maybe he has a massive abdominal growth that could be making him appear fat, but it doesn't seem that way.
I am very sad over this. I only neutered him because he was so hormonal it was scaring Sidney - I was intro'ing Sid to these brothers because Sid's cagemate died. The day Moose got home from his neuter, Sid showed PT signs and died within two weeks, so they were never intro'd. Moose was great before the neuter (aside from being a butthead) and I feel terrible that something about it has done this to him. His quality of life isn't great right now. He doesn't enjoy playtime, he doesn't interact with his brother, he doesn't want me to touch him, and no longer gets any kind of treats. He's maybe 1.5 years old, definitely under 2.
He is also still sleeping with his eyes open. I will think he's awake and go to pet his head, and he will jump out of his skin as if he was asleep and never saw my hand coming.
His brother did great after the neuter, soft silky fur, much more calm and confident, no weight gain.
So, what can I do? I think a vet visit is in order, but what could they do for him? Should I ask for bloodwork or something? He is not a happy rat, I can tell
Moose was neutered 7/31/14 for his bad behavior - total bully, super puffy around other rats, etc. Good news - he is no longer acting hormonal, so that is one good thing.
However, his weight has ballooned, I would call him morbidly obese now. He was 736g on 7/31, I will get a current weight when I get home. He is so fat he's having trouble walking, and has developed mild bumbles on both back feet (which I am dabbing with Blu Kote now). He's in a clean, single FN, and I'm sure the bumbles are from the extra weight on his feet, not a dirty cage, etc.
He sits over the food bowl and will just eat (oxbow) mechanically for a long, long time. Just stuffs his face. He does not get treats anymore. I try to give him stuff to keep busy with in the cage, and he gets out time everynight, but now that he's so fat he will waddle around for a few minutes, then just lay under the bed and stare into space. In the cage he just sits (usually next to the food bowl) and doesn't do much of anything.
His back is very greasy and flakey now, probably because he can't reach to groom. I try to help him, and comb grease out, but he squeaks like I'm hurting him, or like he is very sensitive. Before the neuter, he loved cuddles. Now he squeaks if I so much as touch him, and tries to get away. I have felt him as well as I can just in case maybe he has a massive abdominal growth that could be making him appear fat, but it doesn't seem that way.
I am very sad over this. I only neutered him because he was so hormonal it was scaring Sidney - I was intro'ing Sid to these brothers because Sid's cagemate died. The day Moose got home from his neuter, Sid showed PT signs and died within two weeks, so they were never intro'd. Moose was great before the neuter (aside from being a butthead) and I feel terrible that something about it has done this to him. His quality of life isn't great right now. He doesn't enjoy playtime, he doesn't interact with his brother, he doesn't want me to touch him, and no longer gets any kind of treats. He's maybe 1.5 years old, definitely under 2.
He is also still sleeping with his eyes open. I will think he's awake and go to pet his head, and he will jump out of his skin as if he was asleep and never saw my hand coming.
His brother did great after the neuter, soft silky fur, much more calm and confident, no weight gain.
So, what can I do? I think a vet visit is in order, but what could they do for him? Should I ask for bloodwork or something? He is not a happy rat, I can tell