MadCatter
Active Member
Is it possible for rats to show no signs of megacolon before starting to swell up with late onset megacolon? I've read about failure to thrive and whatnot... but is it possible for a rat to seem normal up until it really starts to set in? I know it can take a few months for it to really show up and start causing problems, but what are the symptoms, aside from swelling of the abdomen - and how long does the actually swelling take?
The reason I ask is because Julia has started getting bigger, but not proportionately. I attributed this to her reaching her 6th month, and probably going through a little growth spurt. A friend from work saw her and asked if she was pregnant... except that it isn't possible for her to be. Any time that she and Sgt Pepper had 'access' to each other during the 'dangerous times' after neutering him, I was holding onto one of the rats firmly in my hands, and they never had an opportunity to run freely with each other....
I'm still thinking it's probably a growth spurt, except that she doesn't feel in proportion. If I hold her up by her armpits, it doesn't jut out like a baseball, but she is extra squishy and her belly hangs out on the sides.
I will get a photo tonight if I can find my camera charger. If somebody has photos of normal girl rat bellies around 5-6 months, or those of late onset megacolon, that would be really helpful. I don't want to worry too much, but I've read that usually with megacolon it's too far advanced by the time owners notice anything, and I don't really want to just shrug it off as normal growth just in case.
The reason I ask is because Julia has started getting bigger, but not proportionately. I attributed this to her reaching her 6th month, and probably going through a little growth spurt. A friend from work saw her and asked if she was pregnant... except that it isn't possible for her to be. Any time that she and Sgt Pepper had 'access' to each other during the 'dangerous times' after neutering him, I was holding onto one of the rats firmly in my hands, and they never had an opportunity to run freely with each other....
I'm still thinking it's probably a growth spurt, except that she doesn't feel in proportion. If I hold her up by her armpits, it doesn't jut out like a baseball, but she is extra squishy and her belly hangs out on the sides.
I will get a photo tonight if I can find my camera charger. If somebody has photos of normal girl rat bellies around 5-6 months, or those of late onset megacolon, that would be really helpful. I don't want to worry too much, but I've read that usually with megacolon it's too far advanced by the time owners notice anything, and I don't really want to just shrug it off as normal growth just in case.