disoriented

[liebe_jupee_rip]

my rattie seems disoriented, when she jumps theres no direction. she just jumps straight up and then splats back down.  shes usually very good at climbing and things and now shes falls a bit when she walks. Its like she has no balance. what could be wrong with her? im taking her to the vet in the morning.

[Scubbs]

How old is she?  Some older rats can become slower with age, and can seem almost disoriented.

Good luck in the morning, hope all goes well and she's alright.

[Kendra]

It could be many different things.  Age, seizure, stroke, inner ear infection, brain tumor.  I'm glad your taking her to the vet in the morning.  Just try to keep her calm and quiet until then.  I hope she's okay.

[liebe_jupee_rip]

shes only about  a year and a half, and she dosnt seem to be in any pain.

[Dearpie]

Just because she doesn't appear to be in pain, doesn't mean she isn't.  Rats hide their pain extremely well.  However, she might not be in pain also.    A vet would be the only one to be able to make the diagnosis and treatment.  I wish you both well.  When is her appointment?   

[liebe_jupee_rip]

her appointment is at 11:50, about 3 hours. Its a new vet, the usual had no spots today. Hopefully they are good and know what they are doing. The receptionist said something about it could be her nervous system going out? Has any one heard of this? Is it treatable?

[Dearpie]

 

It sounds like that receptionist would do best by just scheduling appointments.   As Kendra said, it could be a variety of reasons, but honestly, I've never heard of 'a nervous system going out'!!  I hope this new vet knows about rats!  You may want to print out the Drug Chart so that if it's an infection of some type, they'll know which drugs and doseages are recommended in general.  Also, if it's  stroke or suspected pituitary tumor, a steroid, such as prednisone can work wonders!  Let us know how she's doing and what the vet has to say.  I'd also mention what the receptionist said to you over the phone, as that really was unprofessional of her. 

Another thought, where are you located?  Have you checked the internet resources for a recommended vet in your area?

[liebe_jupee_rip]

im in santa rosa, ca and i was looking for one under the rats recommondations and coudlnt find any in the area, this one was on the bunny recommondations list, i asked if they have experience with rats and she said yes.  i really hope that it goes okay.  my other rattie jupiter is on agian off agian phenomia? hes been put on doxycycline  w/ enroflax liquid 4 times over his 2.5 years,  could there be something better for him? hes about 2.5 years old. Ive been feeding him the rat/mouse food. And for awhile the freeze dreid raw food, but i think im going to make some of the suebee food. He's also loosing weight, but he's still eating it seems liek the same amount.

[RKEM]

Well, there are many reasons like others said ... perhaps the receptionist was referring with pituitary tumors which can lead to disorientation. Steroids can help with that ... not cure it but reduce the pressure on teh brain ... but it could also just be a simple ear infection which will clear up with some antibiotics and prendisone.

[liebe_jupee_rip]

i hope its just an ear infection.

[Dearpie]

Doxy with enroflax (baytril) is an excellent combination.  Typical length of time would be 3 weeks.  Zithromax is also a great choice.  Baytril and clavamox works great also.  If he's losing weight, unfortunately, that's pretty common in older rats.  I'd definitely add more fattening foods to his diet such as cooked oatmeal, avacado, cooked pasta ... you get the idea.  I also give older rats daily 'servings' of Boost or Ensure, once they've started losing weight.  Daily treats of nutristat are also given.  I don't give a measured amount, they just eat it until they've had enough.  At that point in their life, they deserve to be well fed, with anything they want and be spoiled.

[liebe_jupee_rip]

well the vet was good, she called the other vet to see what she usually does with them and such. She thinks it might just be an inner ear infection and gave me the same meds as before for both of them.

[Dearpie]

No prednisone?  bummer ... GOOD LUCK!! Be watchful for a head-tilt.  IF that happens, she NEEDS to get on pred immediately.

[liebe_jupee_rip]

pettles seems to be doing worse, i gave her a yogurt covered raisin  and it was right in front of her face and she coudlnt find it .  i dont know what to do , i guess just wait?

[Dearpie]

I'd call the vet and ask about pred ... and describe exactly what's going on.  See if they have a different idea.    I hope she's gonna be ok.  The last thing I'd do is wait.

[Yresim]

The question is: is she unable to find it, or is she not interested in eating it.

Sometimes, when rats get sick, they become disinterested in food.  In this case, force-syringe-feeding of baby food, or nutrical, can help.  Keep giving the antibiotics (don't give nutrical & antibiotics at the same time; baby food is okay).

If she is unable to find it, she could have vision or smell problems, but it is more likely to be a pituitary tumour.  In this case, prednisone helps, but you need to understand that it is a short-term thing to make her feel better, and the tumour will most likely eventually kill her.  If you want to cure your rattie of a brain tumour, there is a vet in Santa Cruz, CA that will try to treat a pituitary tumour in a rat.  It is very expensive (about $3000 including the brain scan thingie) and takes several weeks.  I can give you contact information if you are interested.  There is also one in Texas (I don't have their contact information).  I'm sure there are others "around".

Denille had a brain tumour, and was treated by the rat in Santa Cruz, but died of complications.  Still, she got a lot better before she died, so we know that the treatment was working. 

Regards,
Yresim

[liebe_jupee_rip]

my jupiter died    he was 2.5 and had another vet apt. the next morning.  I was out of town when it happened. RIP

[Countess Arabella]

 
I'm so sorry. You were doing your best and he knows you loved him very much. Regardless of your being out of town or not.
  *hugs*

[VegetarianPetLuvR]

I'm so sorry about your Jupiter. He lived to a good age, and you obviously took great care of him. *HUGS*

[Yresim]

How is Pettles? 


~Yresim~

[liebe_jupee_rip]

pettles was doing good, but shes gone down hill agian. Im going to take her back to the doc's very soon and recommend that she stay on the dose for 21 days, like you guys said. Getting lots of love from her sister too!  I will keep you posted.

[Dearpie]

Define "soon"?  I hope she was seen today already, or tomorrow at the latest.