Mentally Handicapped Rat?

I believe I have a mentally handicapped rat. Is it just me or does it even look a little different in the face?

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...psbc6e7e50.jpg

I will have to get a video to really explain what is going on. At first, I thought it was megacolon as it's body is shaped oddly. I didn't cull immediately because I thought it was odd to have MC in my Siamese.
The pup is extremely slow. If you nudge it, it wobbles a little before moving off. It also should be about twice the size it is.

Any thoughts? Video to come tonight.

That does look a little odd. However kasey likes it and says we need it apparently lol


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Hahaha come get it! I really don't know what to do with it. I mean I know what I could do with it...

I have seen rats (and only ever blonde ones like the one in the photo) that have been born and have mobility issues. They seem to be lacking equalibrium, and move with their head tilted sideways in some cases. I had one batch of rats and all 3 blondes from that litter had this issue while the others were fine. The got up to "small rat" size and I fed them off.

TJ, it is genetically a Siamese. I haven't had this problem with them before. It doesn't hold its head to the side when it walks, it is just very slow and delayed in general.
I find the little thing interesting and adorable because it is at the developmental level of a "eyes just opened" baby.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by aldebono

TJ, it is genetically a Siamese. I haven't had this problem with them before. It doesn't hold its head to the side when it walks, it is just very slow and delayed in general.
I find the little thing interesting and adorable because it is at the developmental level of a "eyes just opened" baby.

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Well, it is quite possible it is a completely separate issue. The rats I had this issue with were standard fawn/blonde hooded rats. Just thought I'd toss some information out there for you just in case you found any sort of connection.

I had a similar case once. It was a siamese too(tan hooded before its molt). He was 1/4 the size of his siblings. He was looked like a fuzzy while his litter mates were weaning. He was really undeveloped and seemed to have a similar mental disability. He eventually passed on his own.

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Kind looks like the rats I've seen with an eye-abscess.

Aww, he's cute. You should name him Forrest. :) No clue about what his handicap could be, I've never seen it.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by aldebono

I believe I have a mentally handicapped rat. Is it just me or does it even look a little different in the face?

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...psbc6e7e50.jpg

I will have to get a video to really explain what is going on. At first, I thought it was megacolon as it's body is shaped oddly. I didn't cull immediately because I thought it was odd to have MC in my Siamese.
The pup is extremely slow. If you nudge it, it wobbles a little before moving off. It also should be about twice the size it is.

Any thoughts? Video to come tonight.

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We don't like to use the term "mentally handicaped," we prefer the term "special," or even "mentally handicapable."

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TJ_Burton

I have seen rats (and only ever blonde ones like the one in the photo) that have been born and have mobility issues. They seem to be lacking equalibrium, and move with their head tilted sideways in some cases. I had one batch of rats and all 3 blondes from that litter had this issue while the others were fine. The got up to "small rat" size and I fed them off.

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You trying to say something about blondes here...?

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Lol keep us posted on your cute little *slightly slower* rat.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Coleslaw007

You trying to say something about blondes here...?

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Lol keep us posted on your cute little *slightly slower* rat.

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The short answer, YES.
The PC answer.... YES.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Coleslaw007

We don't like to use the term "mentally handicaped," we prefer the term "special," or even "mentally handicapable."



You trying to say something about blondes here...?

**********
Lol keep us posted on your cute little *slightly slower* rat.

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I like those terms Slaw. :p

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Angie, if kasey is serious than I could come get him in the next week or two!


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I don't know what's wrong, but from that picture looks like the baby doesn't feel good. He's got that "look" in his eyes. Obviously something is wrong from what you describe, but I can see it coming through even in the photo.

I will post a video when I get home. I was concerned that it wasn't getting enough to eat, but it would have been falling off weight and it hasn't. It does have that "look" in its eyes. The only reason I don't feel horrible for it is that it seems to be getting around and eating just fine. I am not sure if it's on solid foods or still sneaking some from a lactating female.
If it seems that the little thing (Not sure if male or female) is struggling or on its way out, I will put it down. I am curious, but still won't let it suffer.

Marissa, let me find out if it's eating on it's own, I know you two would give it a good home and I know you would give updates!

UPDATE!

This little angel is coming home to love the rest of its days with me. hopefully I still get a good amount of time with her :)

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/03/8ebuqudu.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/03/u7a9u8ep.jpg


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Can't spell TARD without the R, A, & T...

i think you hit the homozygous version of some co-dominant gene.

i heared about it in hamster breeding, one gene they work with is the ruby-eye mottled. and when you breed two of these together, you get 25%, well, they call them "eyeless toothless whites". Poor little creatures, even worse than this one.

its either a random defect, or you hit the homozygous form of some problematic gene.

I hope it is a one off. She is not Hydrocephalic, at least not to a degree where we can see. I can't say it isn't genetic because I don't know what is wrong with her. But if this happens again in the future, the sire/dam won't be bred again.

From what I read some of her behaviors are similar to those with hydrocephalus. Especially the raising her head into the air far back and sniffing the air and the smaller size. But her head does not seem domed at all like other rats with hydrocephalus that I have seen online.


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It could be a very mild case. Her head/face definitely has a different shape.

To 33rpm,
My daughter has Down syndrome. I think what you said was absolutely horrible......

Dawww, I think she is sooo cute :)


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Goo morning from wooby and Wanda!


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