Keeping Older Rats Healthy.. Anyone?

[Mischief Mistress]

I've seen a lot of rats in Rat tails and Mug shots, Especially older rats that look incredibly healthy, happy and not a day older then 6 months. They have perfect fur, skin, eyes and feet. They are happy and out going and at a VERY healthy weight.

I on the other hand have always had trouble keeping my older rats as healthy as my younger ones.
It's always been difficult trying to research on how to compensate an older rats needs in comparison to my younger rats.
When I say "as healthy" it doesn't mean they have problems, *crosses fingers*
Right now my old rat is Spanky, I got him from petsmart on July 6, 2006.
I also have a female who is as old as dirt!!! Way older than Spanky, by *a lot* she is fine, her coat and other things I listed are normal and she is alpha in her little group of a neutered male and 4 other girls.

IT seems as if when I get old male rats they have bad fur their eyes get dull and they get boney. I've done better with Spanky. He is very active, has very happy eyes and is still active and very out-going. However, his fur is in very poor condition. When I hold him I feel his hip bones and some spine. I tried the whole, feed avocado to get healthy fat. It only gives him a fat belly, and doesn't give him muscle mass/fat over his bones. When I first got him in 2006, he lived with a bunch of males in a huge cage. He was fed Mazuri until I was introduced to Harlan Teklad. In 2007 he lost all his cage-mates within the same week, something ripped through my rats and took almost all of them. When he was the only one left and depression was ruling his tiny little body I took him to the vet. He was placed on medication and had to have intravenous fluids in his body. He recovered from that and a few weeks later got new friends. He has been on Harlan for a while, 2014 did a lot of damage to his body and he lost a lot of weight he hasn't been able to get back. In a few days we will be switching to Oxbow, I ordered it yesterday.

 Despite anything, I am going to make a vet appointment, just to make sure he is ok, and this isn't an underlying problem. I am trying to get advice from him as to how I can make him even more healthy. I hope he knows something that will help,He hasn't had rats before so I need to ask you as well. I hope you have some suggestions!!!


This is my love!

[Mischief Mistress]

bump?

[anita1216]

I have a batch of boys all working towards their second birthdays. I have found that extra food high in fat and protien has kept the weight on, coats glossy and the trouble makers in them alive and kicking For some people this may not be the answer, but my boys are doing well and the vet tells me to keep it up. My oldest boys will be two in June and I am hoping that they continue on the way they have been.

[lilspaz68]

I doubt the Harlan hurt him at all, you might want to supplement with baby cereal, Ensure, a little olive oil occasionally, etc.  Higher fat at his age is just fine.  You can try the Oxbow but a lot of rats end up disliking it although its very good for them and good for health weights.  At this point of his life you shouldn't worry about that.

My guess is that whatever went through your colony and wiped some out weakened your little man.  He may be unthrifty his entire life because of it.

It all depends on upbringing and genetics as to how your rats will react healthwise with age.  Shadow looks just awful at 33 months old, her fur is thinning and rough, she is thin but still moderately active.  Moth at 36 months was in great shape and Lisbet at 3 was in the best shape of all my oldies.   Some rats grow "old" younger than others.  Are all your rats from the same source?

[Mischief Mistress]

I didn't mean that the Harlan hurt him in a big way, or maybe it was just a coincidence he lost weight on it. I'm going to try and put more fat in his diet, more good fat I mean. Because other then his coat and weight he is perfectly fine. *crosses fingers* Maybe I'm just being paranoid.