My old rat is having seizures, weak legs, and foaming. What's wrong?

Your rat could be suffering from either an internal ear infection or a brain tumor, the later is more common in rats over 1.5 years of age. You need to take your rat to the vet ASAP in order to get it treated, if it is an ear infection, then a course of antibiotics should resolve it.

This could be commonly due to a spinal cord problem (slipped disc with nerve compression, or spinal cord stroke). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is immediately essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Possibly further investigations (like abdominal imaging as ultrasound or radiographs) may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

I'm worried about Biggens. Two years old is actually pretty old for a rat. I would be worried about a blood clot or tumor causing damage. Unfortunately there's not likely many treatment options for him. If he is not improving within 12- 24 hours, take him into the veterinarian for an exam and to find out what the next steps are. You definitely want to make sure he's not in pain. Best of luck with Biggens.

Poor Scout! I am so sorry for your loss and traumatic event. It is hard to say exactly what was going on but she have contracted some weird type of viral infection or bacterial meningitis causing these symptoms. Rats are also known for getting cancer and a brain tumor certainly could have caused similar symptoms. Again I am sorry for your loss. Hang in there!

Hi, and thanks for your question. This sign could be compatible with a severe upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or possibly to a rhinitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). An immediate clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Nutritional support and antibiotics are likely to be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! While it is unclear what is going on this may be a metabolic imbalance such as decreased blood sugar or perhaps a gastrointestinal issue or infection. Regardless, this is considered an emergency and Wally should be evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to gather more information, perform and exam and decide what to do next. I am hoping for a speedy recovery!

I am sorry to hear about your rat! There are numerous possible causes for this issue, including trauma resulting in skeletal injury or injury to a nerve or the spine. Degenerative disease as well as some tumors can also cause paralysis of the limbs. I would recommend having Falicity examined by a veterinarian to ensure she isn't in pain and to see if something may be done to help (for example, some tumors may be surgically removed). Best of luck to you and Falicity!