O/T: Older, sickly rat

[cirrustwi]

I have 3 rats who are all getting up there inthe rat years. Eeyore Rat is nearing the end, Ithink. I had him at the vet 2 wks ago because he had a URI,that was treated, and he's doing better from that aspect.Now, he is starting to loose some weight and some of hishair. I feel so bad for my baby. My vet says he'snot in any pain and he is just "getting old". I'm justwondering if anyone has any suggestions to keep him comfortable and toget him to eat a little more.

Thanks,

Jen

 

[Marianne]

Hy

It is normel that rats loos hair and weight when they are older. My rats are both 2 years now and i have the same problem.

What i do,is give the rats a little of Nutrical every day.The rats loveist and all what the rats need is in Nutrical.

What my rats love is yogurt,babycerials,



(sorry,my english is not good)

 

[cirrustwi]

Thanks. I have the nutrical and I'mgoing to give him tonight. I'm also going to try babyfood. He's slowing down, the poor guy, but I honestly stillthink he's happy.

Jen

 

[dixonsrabbitry]

I know of a couple of really good rat owners. Ill see if I can link them to here, and see if they can help.

 

Cirrus : You cangive him Cherrio's mine love it ,also if he is having trouble nibbling onit you can moisten it a bit forhim , a tiny sprits of water will help alot , Another thing i have found to workis Avian vitamins , just a drop or two in his waterbottle will go along waywith keeping him on a gain. and of course Nutri callol multi species fix it in atube lol . My rats go nuts andbeyond for it , i have one Male rat whowill try and wrestle your fingers forthe tube , silly rodent .(little bugger isnt beyond givingyou a pinch to make youlet go either lol )

 

[cirrustwi]

I gave him the Nutrical last night and he wasmore active trying to get it from me, then I've seen him in awhile. I think part of his problem is he's lonely.Rats are very social, and he lost his cage mate about 6 monthsago. I tried to get my other boys to live with him andScabbers was fine with it, but Squeakers wanted none of it. Ialso gave him some banana baby food last night, but he wasn't sureabout that, at least not at the moment. I think I'm going tomake him some oatmeal this morning and sweeten it with Nutrical.

Jen

 

[Carolyn]

I really hope the little guy gets better,Jen. You'll be in my thoughts and him in myprayers. I know how you love the little man. Keepus posted.

-Carolyn

 

[cirrustwi]

I just checked on him. He's feeling alittle more energetic this morning. I swear, Nutrical isamazing stuff. LOL I gave him alfalfa hay lastnight for the extra fat and calcium, but he made a nest out of itinstead of eating it, so he got extra nesting materialthismorning. I use regular old toilet paper for their "nesting"material, and at the moment he is all wrapped up in it.

Jen

 

[Carolyn]

What a little love! NutriCal isamazing stuff. Don't know what my rabbits would've done withoutit. Glad to hear the little guy is seemingly morecomfortable.



Keep my fingerscrossed.

-Carolyn

 

Cirrus :

Hon i so wished youlived closer but it isnt economical totravel 6 to10 hrs for a babyrat. I have 3 littersnow with some of the most amazing colors, I have a lot of brokens andsome of the brokens are a cinnamon redand white , for a rat they are the mostadorable critters i have seenand watching them grow is amazing ,Theres also a lot of what is calledhooded , Im not real good atguessing what the real names for themare so bear with me ,. I havesome with such light cinnamonhey actually look like they have pink fur. If mom doesnt biteme i will get a picture of them ,

 

[dixonsrabbitry]

this is what they had to say:



I agree with the person saying to use Nutri-Cal. Rats (especiallymales) lose hair when they are older. That's normal. SHe should givehim a high fat diet n0w....
Make sure he gets water....watermelon and cantelope are good
​

 

[samandshawn]

when my rat was very old, I gave him a egg cupfull of porridge he loved it he used to grab it with his paws and stuffhis face

 

[honeybunnie8]

If you go towww.ratfanclub.org there is a tonof info on rats and you can even email or call debbie who is a rateexpert for any other questions.

 

[dajeti2]

Oh I'm just seeing this. Poor littlebabies. I will keep them in my prayers and you. I'm glad he is showingimprovements. Way to go little guy. I hope and pray all will be well.

Tina

 

[Jenniblu]

Cirrus, I'm glad your baby is feelingbetter. He seems to be enjoying his golden years under yourcare. Scritch his little head for me when you get a chance.

Gypsy, thiswebsitehttp://www.spoiledratten.com/varieties.htmlgives a written description as well as pictures for the differentvarieties and markings. Kind of fun to tell people that youhave a platinum variegated rat, etc.

 

ohplatinum Rat ohsounds oh so pretty , and i love the nameof the web site i am definatelygoing to check it out lol ThankYou Jenni