rats - getting old?

[tallgirl35]

I've kept rats for a number of years - all the others have had to be put to sleep after getting pneumonia, ear infections or tumours and have not lasted more than 18 months to 2 years.

I curently have two males aged about 18 months who have never been particularly tame, but always jump up when someone walks by ar talks to them and practically snatch your hand off when being fed or given titbits. Over the past week though, they spend nearly all the time huddled in one of their tubes, don't come out to the sound of voices and are not eating much (they aren't even tempted by their favourite cereal and warm milk in the morning).

They aren't usually very good to handle and once on the loose are a nightmare to catch, but the least tame 'boy' just sat in my hand when I got them out to clean their cage a few days ago. Is this just 'old age'? Any thoughts would be much appreciated..

[clair3934]

It could just be old age or there could be something wrong with them why not pop along to your vet and get them checked out just in case. I've had loads of rats most live around 2 - 3 years but I did have an irish marked agouti female that was put to sleep at just over 5 years old because she had a large tumour I dare say if it had not been for that she may have lived a little bit longer But i'll never know.

[cyanide]

I have had 3 males that have all lived to a ripe old age of 5 and one nearly 6,thankfully when they died they went in their sleep and didn`t show any signs of illness or distress before hand.I would get your checked out though if they don`t seem very happy,often with them being so small they are very good at hiding a serious condition,Good luck,hope they are ok,they really do make lovely pets when tame.

[tallgirl35]

thanks for those.. will get them to vets. I just thought it strange that they both are behaving the same way at the exactly the same time. I've kept single rats and rats in pairs before and usually one gets 'ill' or dies some time before the other..

[cyanide]

I have only ever kept one at a time because i was worried about them fighting,do they get on ok with each other and does their behaviour continue if you do separate them?

[tallgirl35]

They get on fine.. have the odd 'spat' over food etc that's all. Two females together ok too. But, having two seems to make them less tame as they don't rely on human company so much. By far the best we've had is a single male who sadly died from a chest infection aged about 14 months.

I haven't tried separating them as they huddle together in bed. They're very subdued looking I must admit. Eating less but drinking ok and their 'poo' is normal.

[cyanide]

Ahh,how sweet!I hope they will be ok,let us know how you get on at the vets.

[what..the?]

I have had a rat of two years his brother was put to sleep last year due to breathing/lung problems.

I do think your rats are ill by the sound of what you say maybe it is as simple as a cold/flu the two have picked up or maybe they have eaten something recently that did not agree with them - as they share the same food. Maybe a water problem try bottled water maybe??

Is there any other changes to the home environment that you maybe have not picked up on or realised. Like another pet, family arguments, new cleaning products, new technology- some new equipment people have in the home sends out sonic sounds pulses etc which can upset pets, maybe your neighbour has bought such an item.

Have you got gas at home -gas fire/boiler as maybe there is a problem they can pick up sense smell before humans, some dangerous gases that can leak from gas equipment - I think it maybe carbon monoxide can be extremely dangerous but is odourless to humans.

I think you may be better cheaking for home based problems as well as rat health problems because the vet will probably just put them on antibiotic's just in case and unless they suddenly start to come round you will still be in the dark as to what has cause their behavour to change of late.

[tallgirl35]

thanks to all who answered - they were booked into the vets, but the day before they suddenly returned to nearly normal! Very, very weird - whatever was the matter with them passed.. they are responsive and eating properly again.. thanks too cyanide for your concern - Bart and Homer are fine....