My rats are only around 18 months, but one of them seems to have gotten the short stick in terms of health issues. She had three tumor removals in a period of 4 months, two benign and one a large, very serious cancerous mammary tumor. She had her first surgery at only a year. A couple weeks ago, she really wasn't looking so good - she had huge scratches all over her body, dried blood on her nails and forearms from scratching, and was so weak she could barely get to the top of her cage. I thought she was going to die in days, but I took her to the vet, who diagnosed her with a yeast skin infection that she said happens to rats with a lowered immune system. Although my rat has been looking better since the treatment and explores more again, she's still weak, moving slowly, and just far from the rat she was when she was young. The vet says she's seen rats live a year with the skin condition, but I just don't feel like she has that much longer.

My other rat, her sister, has been in perfect health and full of energy since the day we got her, and I could easily see her living another 18 months. It just seems so unfair. Is there anything I can do to make my chronically unhealthy rat more comfortable while she's still here?  I had hamsters as a teenager and have dealt with animal death before, but I've never had an animal slowly deteriorate like my rat. It's just so hard to watch...

Awww, I'm so sorry. I know how hard it is to watch a friend like that slowly go. Is it possible to adjust the cage (ramps, hammocks, bowls... etc) to where they are lower/less steep? That might help her get around the cage better. Maybe put hammocks, tubes... etc, close to the floor of the cage so she can more or less walk into them?

I guess the best thing to do for her is give her lots of love, which you're doing already. I hope she doesn't have to suffer anymore. I'll send my thoughts her way.

Thank you everyone for support. The last couple of days Ruby (my chronically sick rat) has actually been continuing to look better since the treatment. She only has a couple of scabs left, and it looks like fur might start growing in her bald spots. She's actually been showing interest in exploring and running around a bit the last couple of days, which she hadn't been.

I'm not harboring any illusions this means she'll live a long time - she's still slow / weak and sick, and I've noticed her depth perception and vision, which were never good as a PEW, are getting significantly worse! Luckily my cage isn't very big (it's the size for only 2 rats, according to the calculator), so she can't fall that far, especially since from the very top level she can only fall into the hammock. Everything she could need (food, water, box to sleep in) is on the bottom level, so she never has to climb. Unfortunately, the hammock is her favorite place, and it's harder for her to get up there now.

When it needs to happen, I'm prepared to euthanize Ruby at the vet (I honestly thought that would happen at the last visit and was surprised there was a treatment for her condition). I know she probably won't make it through another illness and definitely couldn't withstand surgery for a tumor. For now, though, she still seems happy and is enjoying the especially frequent treats and love she's been getting. I'll try to update again on her condition - hopefully she and I can enjoy the time she has left.

Rats can surprise the daylights out of you!
I don't think anyone, including me, expected my old Dilbert Doo to still be around when the pictures of him with his Zymbal's Gland tumor started showing up...nearly 9 months ago now! In three weeks he celebrates the big 36 month birthday, and he's STILL not stopping. Earlier today he was resting in my arms getting his scritches when Pea took an interest in him and decided to groom his old Uncle Dilbert. Dilbert took GREAT exception to this...and I now have 2 very deep punctures in my forearm courtesy of the old man lol. I dunno whether it was his claws or his teeth, but either way, he wasn't taking any crap off 6 month old Pea rofl! Eat, sleep, pee, poop, and get lovin's, that's the life of an elderly rattie!

Just love on her and baby her, she may surprise you and out live everyone! Dilbert lives on the couch now, he's very happy there and doesn't want to be bothered by other rats. What ever Dilbert wants, Dilbert gets! (the couch is covered with towels, blankets, and his sheet, he doesn't make it to the litter pan any more)