PSA: Megacolon

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Vocabulary

Bloating ~ swelling in the lower back area

Colon ~ main part of the large intestine

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Overview

A megacolon is basically when your rat has an unusually large colon. Most cases of megacolon are genetic, and rats born with it usually don't make it past weaning. The nerves to the large intestine are heavily inhibited, making it difficult for the rat to waste. In severe cases, the rat won't be able to waste at all.

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Symptoms

Diarrhea

Bloating

Constipation

Weirdly Shaped Waste

Inability to Thrive

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Treatment

There is no cure for megacolon currently, so if your rat is diagnosed with it they'll have it until they on. Some severe cases require the rat to be euthanized, however sometimes the rat can live a fair (but shortened) life. Woody's Megacolon Diet is a good diet to use as a reference when feeding the rat. You can also help your rats move their waste through the colon by squeezing from side to side on their large intestine, working your way down. There is a treatment that can help your rat waste that your vet can give you.

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Prevention

Unfortunately, almost all megacolon cases are genetic, making it near impossible to prevent. Don't buy a rat from a line that has a history of having rats with megacolon, and don't breed rats from a line that produced a pup with a megacolon. Rats with white pigment and black or miscolored eyes are more likely to get megacolon, especially when the white color is in the face.

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Misconceptions

Rats with megacolon will generally not be able to thrive, as they won't be able to process all the nutrients. For other mammals, there is a surgery available to eliminate megacolon, however it is not currently possible for rats. Megacolon has not been known to appear any later than 10 months into the rats life. It often appears around when the rat is 4-6 weeks old.

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