Hello Nic007,
The average lifespan of a pet rat is between 2 and 3 years and the
incidence of paralysis in elderly rats is quite high. The cause of
partial hind leg paralysis in your pet rats may be due to Vertebral
Degeneration or a benign tumor of the pituitary gland
The causes of the paralysis can usually be narrowed down to three
major players:
Stroke
“Strokes are fairly common in elderly rats, and may be the most
treatable cause of paralysis. Paralysis due to stroke is sudden.”
Pituitary Adenoma
“Pituitary Adenoma is a benign tumor of the pituitary gland, which is
situated at the base of the brain. Pituitary tumors primarily affect
older female rats. (..) The onset of weakness in an expanding
pituitary mass is gradual. Commonly, the forelimbs will become weak
first, and the rat will have trouble holding food. Weakness can then
spread to the hind limbs.”
Spinal Compression due to Vertebral Degeneration
“As a rat ages connective tissue such as cartilage degenerates.
Vertebrae, the bones of the spinal column, are separated by pads of
cartilage. When these degenerate, the vertebrae collapse on one
another and the vertebral canal, where the spinal cord passes, can
become narrow. (Or a disc can herniate from an unstable vertebral
column and have the same effect.) The spinal cord may be compressed
and cause weakness. Weakness from vertebral degeneration commonly
affects the lower spine, and hindlimbs on both sides may be involved.”
Rare Causes
- Infection of the central nervous system (mycoplasma has been known
to infect the brain), including abscesses, which may behave like
growing tumors.
- Spinal cord tumors have also been observed in rats.
- Metabolic disorder causing weakness has also been reported. In this
rat, specific foods (such as broccoli) could not be properly
metabolized, resulting in severe paralysis.
- Ingestion of toxins may also cause central nervous system damage, as
will overdosing with certain drugs (such as Ivermectin).
Source: Rat and Mouse Club of America
http://www.rmca.org/Articles/paralysis.htm
Steroids may help if the cause is degeneration of the spinal chord.
“If it's the back half of the rattie that's "paralyzed" it's often
caused by some degeneration of the spinal chord. It's common in
elderly rats. Steroids don't always fix that, but the rat usually
adapts just fine.”
http://wererat.net/rathelp/stroke.htm
Another possibility may be a calcium deficiency which is causing the
hind end paralysis in your pet rats.
“Calcium deficiency results in stunted growth, osteoporosis, rear leg
paralysis, and internal bleeding. Manganese deficiency results in
birth defects, reduced food intake, stunted growth, skeletal
deformities, and early death. Vitamin K deficiency results in major
blood losses from minor injuries and spontaneous internal bleeding.
Vitamin B12 deficiency results in stunted growth.”
A calcium supplement must be provided in your rats’ diet.
“The calcium, B12, and D deficiencies are relatively simple to take
care of as these nutrients are available as OTC dietary supplements.
For every 50g of this diet consumed (a typical daily consumption for a
500g rattie), approximately 250 mg calcium, 2.5µg B-12, and 50IU D
will need to be added daily to the diet in the form of supplements.”
Source: Rat and Mouse Club of America
http://www.rmca.org/Articles/homemadediet.htm
Additional information that may interest you:
“The Care of Older Paralyzed Rats” is an excellent article that
discusses the gradual deterioration of mobility in the hind legs that
occurs in older rats.
Source: Rat and Mouse Club of America
http://www.rmca.org/Articles/oldrats.htm
Pet Rat Information Sheet
http://www.quite.co.uk/rats/
"Pet Rats on the Web" provides a wealth of information on pet rats.
http://www.interlog.com/~audiotre/rats/
Search Criteria:
causes of hind leg paralysis in rats
partial hind leg paralysis in rats
gradual hind leg paralysis in pet rats
diseases of pet rats
I hope you find this helpful.
Best Regards,
Bobbie7-ga |
Clarification of Answer by
bobbie7-ga
on
28 Dec 2002 12:13 PST
At a German website the partial paralysis is discussed as well:
“Rats can suffer from a partial (paresis) or complete paralysis of the
hind legs. This can be watched especially in older rats. Young ones
almost never get that disease. (..) A paralysis begins slowly, mainly
with muscle atrophy in the hind legs that may become worse so that the
rat can't move its legs anymore. But, however, it also can stagnate in
a certain phase.”
“Not much is known about a treatment, but high dosages of vitamin B
are recommended. Some keepers say that cortisone can lead to light
betterment. A vet can give you the needed drugs after the right
diagnosis.”
“You should, however, decorate its cage in a way that makes the rat
able to live there without any difficulties. Place the water and
feeding bowls as well as the sleeping boxes in the lowest floor,
remove any ladders, replacing them by ramps covered by a piece of
fitted carpet.”
http://www.rattenzauber.de/laehm.htm
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