Tumours - mammary tumor are the most common, if left they can become bigger than the rat! (We've all seen them in practice the rat with the golf ball sized tumour attached, which the owner has left.) Providing the rat is n good health then there is usually no problem associated with removing the lump under anesthesia. Although they can grow back in the same place.
Degenerative Myopathy - This is generally seen in the older rat, and is a gradual onset. Sometimes you will see the rat picking up his own tail, and moving it, they will gradually get weaker in their hind legs, and will end up dragging their legs behind, when this happened with on of my own rats, I moved him to a one level cage, and carpeted the cage floor and his sleeping box, this way he was able to pull himself around by his front legs, he was quite happy and his quality of life was good, he was still eating, and had a daily treat of baby food. He needed cleaning out more than normal and checking twice daily for sores on his legs or any urine scolding. Eventually he became much weaker on his front legs and it began to affect his breathing, and we put him down. There is no treatment for this only general nursing care. Cortaflex and steroids sometimes helped and made him more comfortable.
Overgrown teeth - caused by either a lack of items to gnaw at, or by malocclusion o f the teeth. Which is a deformity, either being congenital or by an injury. Teeth will need clipping regularly. Another option is to remove the incisor teeth,
Mites - minute parasites, which produce a rash and obvious bald patches. Ivermectin injection or skin drops once weekly for 3 weeks will clear things up quickly. Just remember to completely clean their accommodation.
Unfortunately in most cases Rats and most other small animals will need to be euthanased, if the illness had become debilitating. This is done either by direct injection or by placing the animal in a gas chamber, gas should be introduced at the top of the chamber and scavenged at the bottom of the container, oxygen at 5 litres and inhalation anesthetic at a high margin. Line the bottom of the chamber with tissue to absorb any faeces or urine. Then once the animal is asleep it can then be injected with minimum stress.
I will say again that Rats make wonderful and loving pets - there are clubs and many places to get information and further advice on rats. The internet is probably the best place to look so below are various websites that have a wealth of information.
information
there is more than I can list so go search “rats” and happy ratting!
