Rat dragging legs

I noticed today that one of the babies was pretty skinny, overall dirty and grungy looking and seemed to have problems with her back legs. I fed her off since it seemed like she was probably not comfortable or at the least wasn't thriving. Has anyone seen this? Could it have been from an injury?

Thanks!

More than likely it got stepped on. :(

That happens in some old rats:
http://www.rmca.org/Articles/oldrats.htm

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Originally Posted by Wild Bill

More than likely it got stepped on. :(

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Thanks man! I figured...

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Originally Posted by lillyorchid

That happens in some old rats:
http://www.rmca.org/Articles/oldrats.htm

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It was just a wean...But thanks for the link!

I agree with Bill, Jamie. It's likely gotten squashed or even nipped and there's been some sort of physical damage to either it's spine or it's pelvis/legs. Best that you dealt with it quickly and didn't let the feeder suffer.

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

I agree with Bill, Jamie. It's likely gotten squashed or even nipped and there's been some sort of physical damage to either it's spine or it's pelvis/legs. Best that you dealt with it quickly and didn't let the feeder suffer.

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Thanks Jo. I don't like seeing anything suffer.

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Originally Posted by jglass38

Thanks Jo. I don't like seeing anything suffer.

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except me. he looooves to see me suffer. :P

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

except me. he looooves to see me suffer. :P

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I should have been more specific. I don't like seeing animals suffer. People? Eh...I can take em or leave em. :)

Well there are some rats that are nicer than folks that's for sure Jamie. Wonder if we should change some expressions like...


"ya human fink!" or "hey he humaned me out!" :D

WRONG - jamie, this is where you are supposed to express your unrelenting love and adoration for me in front of the ENTIRE forum!!!

silly! :wuv:

Also check the teeth. I have had soem rats with teeth that grow so large they stop them from eating. I used a set of pliers to trim the teeth.

This was just a young rat from what Jamie said so likely would have no issue with overgrown teeth. If you give them enough hard food and bones to knaw on you shouldn't be getting teeth problems. None of my older adults show any indication of that sort of problem.

Also, rats grind their teeth, called bruxing, to wear them down, so even hard food isn't needed as they can do this on their own.

Rats that have malocclusions shouldn't be bred, as it is genetic and the resulting rats wouldn't be able to eat properly.