Hi.

This is pretty complicated but I have recently lost one of my two female dumbos and was planning on introducing two or three kittens to her to prevent her from becoming lonely up until about 5 minutes ago when I witnessed her having a seizure.

She has had a couple of seizures (that I am aware of, so probably more) before but I think that they are increasing in frequency, I would say I am seeing one every couple of weeks now. After the seizures she is lethargic and disorientated and her behaviour has changed in general. She no longer likes to be picked up. She used to be quite affectionate but now bites if I try to handle her and I am sure this is linked to the seizures, I have accepted that this is how she is and she is happy to approach me on her own terms and sometimes have a little stroke but this is as far as I go as I think stress brings the seizures on. She was never aggressive to her cage mate.

I am a veterinary nurse and the vets I work with have offered to look into treatment such as phenobarbitone but we are all not sure this is wise as it would be almost impossible to judge whether or not the seizures improve (I can't be with her 24/7) and she is very healthy 95% of the time.

The point to all this is that I don't know whether or not introducing new kittens would be the best thing for her now. I don't want her to be lonely but I also don't want to cause her any stress. If anyone has any experience of fitting rats please help and any opinions on what to do for the best (find her some friends or leave her on her own) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Jennie

Normally friends are good but introductions are tricky. I am not sure which is best. Do you know what causes the seizures and if stress makes it worse? However I wish you lots of luck I am sure someone will know the answer.

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Jarhead and friends

Personally I would intro friends to her as being alone is very stressful for a rat so in turn could bring on more fits, whereas with friends they will comfort her and help her through.

I had an epileptic rat that ended up fitting 4/5 times a day but his brother would never leave his side, and when he had a fit you could see him looking for his brother for a cuddle.
IMO having a friend really helped him cope.

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I think loosing her friend has made her worse although it could just be coincidence that the fits have increased as she is getting on a bit. I think stress is definitely a contributing factor and I'm just worried that trying to introduce new rats could be too much for her. She has had another fit this morning and seems very unaware of her surroundings at the moment so going to give her a couple of days and see how she goes.

Thanks for the advice - much appreciated

maybe get an older rat or two to befriend her so that she doesnt have younger ones in her face all the time bothering her

I poss try and an older girl, rather then two kittens or even an older neutered male?

Hope she starts feeling better soon x

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Owner to-
lots of rodents
2 monster dogs
1 slinky cat

Might be worth looking online for an older rat. It will take a while to find one so get ahead of the game with planning. Having others about deffinitely perk up rodents even before in the cage together.

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Jarhead and friends