I have a 3 year old rat who has gone blind and deaf within a week. He was doing ok with that, but now has become almost paralyzed in back. He can use his back paws to scratch still and moves them around, but he cannot get up. I am hand feeding him and giving him water several times a day & night, as he cannot get up and get food/drink himself.
I've read various articles about strokes and spinal degeneration. He is the first rat I've owned. He has been in his "paralyzed" state for a about 4 days now. He seems happy to be held and pet and fed and this morning he was trying to pull himself up a little when I was feeding him. The vet said there isn't much to do for him at this age and I should either let him live his life out peacefully or euthanize him. He doesn't seem to be in pain and responds well to me, but having him in such a condition where he cannot even get up can't be much of a life for him.
Any suggestions or words of encouragement? I don't want to prolong any agony, but every time I think about euthanizing him, he starts looking better.Should I wait it out?
