He has always been healthy except for a Myco infection when I originally got him (he was 8 weeks old at the time) and sometimes general scabbiness from being bullied by his brother (who is no longer with me due to a ZGT). Initial symptoms were weightloss and HLD.
These symptoms went on for about a week. I moved the lads from the Explorer into Silent Bob's old cage. Not long after this I noticed something very odd about the food I find in their bowl every day. Normally the bowl only has a few pieces left in it by the time I refill the next day but for a while I noticed it was being left with lots of half eaten bits of their kibble (they are fed on Burgess Suparat Kibble). So I scouted their cage to monitor their eating habits closely. Then I noticed that Xander eats in his bowl but doesn't use his hands, only his mouth. After eating he would circle a few times and often falls over when walking, or rather staggering. I had to lower his water bottle as he struggled to use it, when he drinks his arms are held out straight in front of him. I will try using a bowl, however I am pretty sure they will bury it in their bedding or make a mess with it.
Alarmingly the other day I got him and Ben (his cagemate) out so that I could clean their cage, I put him in the carrier and when I let go of him making sure he was in contact with the bottom and he rolled forward onto his head... Also when I pick him up it's like I am holding a rat that has just died because his whole body flops (still, he attempted to bite my fingers from underneath him! Usually he bites when expecting food and I had just fed another rat at the time). I put him back in his cage but before I let him go I made sure that he is steady on the floor of the cage. He sulked for a while before going back to his food bowl (still maintaining his greed). He doesn't seem to be aware of me either when I go to pick him up so I have to make sure he knows I'm there first.
I have some baby food for him to help keep his strength up but I know it will be all over soon. For now he seems content enough with being with his friend Ben (another oldie rat - 26 months old). He is starting to lose his coat and is going bald on his sides. He is drinking a lot more now as well. His appetite, although he struggles he is eating more than before. Possible Cushings type symptoms caused by a PT?
There is nothing of course that the vet could do besides give Metacam to help with any pain, so he is in the same boat as Ted (who has a large abdominal tumour).
I am gutted because I only have 3 rats now, and I'm soon to be losing 2. Ben on the other hand is in top health, and looks and acts like a rat half his age! But the poor lad will be on his own soon.
Is there anything I can do during the short time Xander has left?