Sick rat...?

Question

Our first rat we got, Cappuccino has been acting very sick lately. I went to go feed the rats today and I noticed she wasn't walking quite right. She is a bit wobbly when she walks and doesn't move very much (unlike her usual self- she's usually all over the food and climbing up and down the cage). Her fur is looking pretty shaggy too. She just sits there near the food and sniffs it but won't take any of it. I gave her a grape and she gladly took it and ate some.

We ARE taking her and the rest of the rats to the vet. We are calling them in a few minutes but does anyone know what could be wrong with her?? She's a little over a year old.

And we use Carefresh for her bedding.

Answer 1

my friends rat had scraggly hair and she looked skinny,she ended up dying we don't know why,(she wasn't able to bring her to the vet) I hope your baby is ok.....

EDIT: oh I'm sorry :(

Answer 2

It definitely sounds like something is wrong.  Does she have any respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, wheezing, rattling in the lungs, or red discharge around her eyes or nose?  When respiratory infections get bad they can act like that.  It's also possible she has a neurological condition such as a tumor, meningitis, or an inner ear infection.  If she is breathing heavily, her feet and nose have a bluish tinge, or she is coughing, it is likely heart disease.  There really are so many things it could be, but hopefully your vet will be able to figure things out and get her all better!  Good luck with your rat!