Hi, I am new here. I have signed on to a couple of rat support forums to see if anyone else has any problems with thier rat and head shakes. This only happens when he is in sleepy state, but it is bad. It's like palsy, back and forth, or parkinson disease shake. He is 6 years old and has done this all his life. You have to shake him out of it when it happens. Once he's alert, it's completely gone.

I finally took him to an internist and she did bio acid blood test on him and ran a full profile on his thryoid and a full chemistry panel. His bio acids are high, and she thinks he may have liver shunts. Also, his glucose was very low, 42. Don't know the normal values, just said it was low.

The thyroid is normal, thank god.

He displays no other symptoms but the head going back and forth. He has done this since a puppy.

I am scheduled with another internist now in AZ. My last one was in OHio. I have had 2 opinions on the blood test, waiting to see the new internist. The first one said he may need surgery.

Anyone heard of this. I am so upset, so afraid my boy has something wrong.

Any input on this would be greatly appreciate.

He just got a new little Rat sister and he is so in love. So are we.

Sarha, thank you SO much for replying!

I am so worried.

No, he doesn't have an problems after eating. That was one of the first things they asked after blood work came back. He is absouletly fine, but some times when he gets sleepy, his head goes back and forth. I don't of course know what goes on while he is sleeping.

I'm glad your out grew his, so sorry about the immune issues. They sure are dolls. I tried to upload a photo and every time I tried, it locked up my system, so I gave up. Actually I couldn't do anythning here an hour ago without locking up my sx.

Did I post this in the wrong spot. I want it to get seen my many. do you have any suggestions Sarah.

Thanks again!

Ave