Paralysis is a problem that's commonly seen in elderly and aging rats, especially in older male rats. The onset of paralysis can be startling to a rat owner, but a paralyzed rat can still have a good quality of life as long as the rat owner makes special accommodations for their aging pet.
Why Does Paralysis Occur in Elderly Rats?
An elderly rat will become paralyzed due to the gradual degeneration of the spine and the spinal cord.
"In nature, rats don't live very long - a year or two on average. But a rat that's kept as a pet - particularly a rat with good breeding and genetics - can live three, four, even five years in some rare cases," explained Dr. Michael Levine, DVM. He added, "The rat's body really wasn't designed to live that long in nature, so you end up with spinal degeneration in older rats."
In the vast majority of cases, paralysis in elderly rats does not occur suddenly as it would if it were the result of an injury. The older rat becomes paralyzed in the rear legs and tail over the course of several months.
What Are the Early Signs of Paralysis in Older Rats?
There are several physical signs that are indicative of spinal degeneration that ultimately leads to paralysis.
"One of the first signs you see is the tail begins to drag - young rats hold their tail up off the floor. An older rat will gradually start to drag his tail when he walks," explained Dr. Levine.
The next sign of paralysis in rats involves a lack of coordination and stiffness affecting the rear legs. The rat will start to take shuffling steps and the gait will appear stiff.
As the rat's paralysis progresses, the rat will sit on his haunches less and less. Meal time is a key time to observe an aging rat. A young, healthy rat will typically sit on his haunches and use both hands to eat. A rat experiencing spinal degeneration and gradual paralysis will opt to eat in a non-upright position.
In the final stages of paralysis, the rat's rear legs and pelvic region will begin to become bony and less muscular due to atrophy that occurs as a result of poor muscle use. The back feet and tail will drag. And rats who were potty trained will begin to become incontinent, eliminating at random.
Special Care for Paralyzed Rats
The gradual progression of paralysis in rats works to the animal's advantage because the rat can adjust to the slow changes. A paralyzed rat will slowly change his lifestyle (i.e. posture while eating) to accommodate his disability.
But while the paralysis is gradual and the rat can usually adjust to paralysis fairly easily, owners of paralyzed rats must make special accommodations for the aging rat.
Paralyzed rats need special living accommodations like a one-level cage and soft fabric bedding, which will cut down on skin irritation. Many paralyzed rats are also incontinent to some degree, so the rat must be checked several times daily and washed when any signs of wetness or other soiling arise.
Notably, paralyzed rats can usually live with healthy, younger rats without any problem. In fact, cage mates can be helpful in that they'll assist with grooming the elderly rat.
Grooming assistance may also be required, particularly for elderly rats who live alone and don't have a rat cage mate to assist with grooming. Human assistance with a paralyzed rat's grooming needs is also required on a daily basis to keep the fur clean and to remove the waxy plug that forms near a male rat's genitals.
Most elderly and aging rats who suffer from paralysis adjust to the handicap very well, and most experience no real ill health effects, as long as the owner is dedicated to providing proper care for their aging rat.
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