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Rats
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Elderly Rats and Hind Leg Degeneration
Diet Diet and dietary supplements can go some way to delaying the progression. Vitamin B12 supplement, about 50 micrograms per day (often available as part of b complex) Glucosimine sulphate and chondroitin can also help. Cod liver oil once a week is also useful. Consider a diet lower in phosphates. Phosphorus draws calcium out of the bones, thus aggravating the condition. Oats, wholewheat, and bran are high in phosphates. Medical Help Some vets will prescribe steroids or anti-inflammatories to help your rat. These tend to only be of short term benefit, but are worth considering if your rat seems tobe nearing the end of his life. Steroids should be accompanied by antibiotic cover. Some rat owners have also found acupuncture a great help to the affected rat. Your vet should be able to recommend an animal acupuncturist, if there is one in your area. (They use BL40 Master Back and Hip point and Baihui points behind the knees). Practical Care Affected rats can need special care. They can develop serious mobility problems ending up requiring a single level cage, and help with grooming. You need to pay particular attention to the ears of these rats as they are unable to get their back legs up to clean them. Male rats may also need help with keeping there private areas clean; they can develop a waxy plug in the penile shaft which needs removed daily to preven urinary tract infections developing. Incontinence can also develop as the paralysis progresses so it is important to keep your rat (and his cage) clean. Pay particular attention to the underside of the tail as fecal matter can become incrusted and sores can develop. Toenails on the back feet need to be trimmed regularly. Eating can also be difficult as most rats sit up to eat. You can help this by providing a nutritionally balanced softer diet (in a low bowl or saucer) or teaching your rat to wedge himself in corners to eat. Water bottles may need to be lowered. Some beddings also become less suitable eg. chipped cardboard becomes difficult for the rat to deal with. They tend to have to 'swim' through it rather than walking on top. Vetbed can be especially suitable for affected rats, just changing out the newspaper underneath every morning. Be Positive It's not all doom and gloom though, rats can live a long time with the condition. Because it comes on gradually, they do learn to adapt and cope very well for the most part. Of course, if you have any concerns about his quality of life, then do not hesitate to seek veterinary advice. Peanut (in the photo) is 47 months old and has been coping with hindleg degeneration for the past 12 months. Despite being completely paralysed in the rear he still manages to move around the cage and enjoy the company of his cagemates. Author: Vicki Anderson (10rats) Web Site: http://mana.vinix.co.uk  Share This Page
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As rats get older you may notice they start to develop a more waddling gait and drag their tails along the ground. This is the beginnings of 'hind leg degeneration'. Hind leg weakness is caused by degeneration of the spinal nerve and is common in some lines of rats. It can be hereditary or the result of trauma. It is a gradual process, and tends to affect males more often than females. 
