My rat is lethargic and has a swollen belly. Could it be a blockage?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Exotic | Unknown - Exotic | Male
My rat is very lethargic and his belly is swollen? Could he be having a blockage??
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on December 7th, 2018
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! A blockage is definitely possible. Other possibilities include other gastrointestinal issues. I recommend you check in with your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They can check for this and treat him accordingly. Best of luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on February 17th, 2018
Hello, The abdominal distention is concerning for fluid accumulation (abdominal effusion) or possibly a mass (tumor) in the abdomen. I would advise you to have Lorenzo evaluated by avian/exotic veterinary specialist as soon as possible.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
URGENT!! My rat’s sides are starting to get swollen and protrude a lot and his middle half is getting huge. When I try to feel his belly, he runs and winces but his sides feel hard and squishy. I’m so worried about him, he looks like he’s having trou
Hello, The abdominal distention is concerning for fluid accumulation (abdominal effusion) or possibly a mass (tumor) in the abdomen. I would advise you to have Lorenzo evaluated by avian/exotic veterinary specialist as soon as possible.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My pet rat is a bit lethargic, please can you offer me some advice on how to help her?
Hi, and thanks for your question. This is a quite generic but concerning presentation. Differentials are many, from gastrointestinal or respiratory diseases (infection/inflammations) to any disease that can spread systemically (causing lethargy for example) like infection, and anything that can cause pain/discomfort. A check up is needed if the signs last for more than 24hours. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My pet rat has a lump on the side of his stomach
This could be an abscess, a hernia or a tumor. Unfortunately tumors are common in rats, so if this started small and then grew to this size over time, it is likely a tumor. A tumor in this area is relatively easy to remove if you don't let it get too big, as the surgeon needs enough healthy skin to close the wound again after surgery. A hernia can be easily repaired surgically. You can check whether it is a hernia by gently pressing on the lump and if you can make it disappear into the abdomen, it is a hernia. An abscess will need to be lanced and your rat will need antibiotics. I suggest you schedule an appointment with a veterinarian soon.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a pet rat and she has this giant lump in her stomach that has been growing for a month now. She look malnourished even though she eats all the time. And I don’t know what to do.
This lump/bump/growth should be ideally examined by your local vet to have a diagnosis established. Your vet may want to perform an FNA (fine needle aspiration) or a biopsy to sample the bump and determine its underlying nature. Differentials would include skin cysts, infections, benign or more malignant type of tumors. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My hamster has a swollen abdomen, which started around a month ago and has steadily got larger. He is 2 years and 8 months old. He is eating and drinking but is now finding it hard to get around, although he tries. I am aware that he is very old a
Hi and thanks for using Boop by Petco! So sorry to hear about poor Shaun. A swollen abdomen could be many things including fluid accumulation (ascites), organ enlargement, or some type of growth/tumor inside the abdomen. Liver/kidney problems could be causing this also. If he is weak, not eating, drinking, not happy, and you assess his quality of life as poor compared to what it used to be, it may be time to make a very tough decision. I have found over the years that this is the toughest thing that all of us face in life and none of us want to make an irreversible decision with our loved ones and pets. But sometimes it is more humane to assist them in passing. I leave it up to my clients to decide, it's an individual journey for all of us and I never pressure anyone unless death is imminent and I know the pet is suffering. I would maybe call your local vet or animal shelter and see what they can do to help you along and make this journey the best for you and Shaun. Again I'm
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has abdominal pain. Her abdomen is distended for 3 days now. She is able to urinate and poo. She does not move that much. What should I do?
Hi and thanks for posting on Boop by Petco. This is very concerning and may be due to something more serious than just simple constipation. Abdominal fluid due to liver disease, heart failure, kidney failure, or cancers can be a cause as well as endocrine disease such as Cushing's disease or parasitic infections such as a heavy roundworm infection can be potential causes. I recommend Garlic see her veterinarian as soon as possible. Your vet will do a hands on exam and may recommend x-rays to check for free fluid in the abdomen and may run blood work as well to help pinpoint a cause.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Last night my dog had less energy than usual when I got home. Took her for a walk and noticed although she was pooping, she was having issues some of the time. When I got home I noticed a bulge on her side and she reacted immediately when touching it
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! Since she is exhibiting some signs of eating foreign material, it is very important at this point to make sure that she is not obstructed as that will require therapy. I would highly recommend you consider having her evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check on this with abdominal radiographs and proceed with therapy accordingly. Keep in mind that in some cases of an obstruction, surgery is necessary and the sooner it is diagnosed, the better the outcome tends to be. Have a good day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My rat Nessie has a big lump near her tail
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This may be a benign or malignant growth. This could even be an infection. This cannot be completely assessed just by looking at pictures and usually requires sampling such as fine needle aspiration to determine its origin. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
My mom has a staff X boxer he is about 7,/ 8 yrs old he used to be active but last few days he just lays around you call him he does not move he not eating only drinking small amount and when stroke him under stomachs he growls all his back end has r
Hi there. Fank's symptoms indicate severe abdominal pain. This could be due to a hernia, a blockage or infection. I would recommend taking him to your vet asap and have some xrays and blood work performed and get Frank started on treatments. I hope that helps. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Have a 6 month old rat who seems to have suddenly lost proper use of her back end. Very lethargic and twisting her. Pay round and holding her legs up funny.
This could be commonly due to a spinal cord problem (slipped disc with nerve compression, or spinal cord stroke). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is immediately essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Possibly further investigations (like abdominal imaging as ultrasound or radiographs) may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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