Had a cage accident...Rat won't move!! Is he dying? Shock?

Question

I was putting my pet rat back in his cage and he tried to get back out and I slid the door down before I realized that he was in the way and I closed the door hard on his neck. I opened the door quick and he started jumping around and off the table onto the floor. Now he won't move unless I provoke him. He is just laying next to the keyboard with his nose against the desk. He doesn't seem to be using his front paws much, he just drags them. I don't know what symptoms of a stroke are in rats or if I caused something like that or if I broke something and now he is dying or if it is just shock. I can't call a vet now or someone who can see him. Can anyone help me?

Answer 1

Could be bruised and quite shocked. take some soft material like polerfleece or brushed cotton off a sheet or old clothes and wrap it round him like a cucoon and hold him. Don't pat him or anything as he may be bruised and it will hurt, see if he will take a treat. He may just be in shock. I have had a couple of rat accidents like this including a tail pinch which was horrible enough.

Please take him to the vet as soon as you can, you may have fractured something or torn something and you don't want him to worsen it by running around too much, so please don't provoke him to move.

Answer 2

if he broke his neck, he would most likely be paralyzed or dead. he may have just been jumping around in pain. he may be bruised or have sprained a muscle do to the injury. i would take him to the vet first thing tomorrow if possible. he really needs to be checked out and if it is a bruise or pulled muscle, he can be put on pain meds to make his life a little easier. if he seems stiff, he could be paralyzed. see a vet ASAP. good luck!