What does a dying rat look like? - briefly
A dying rat exhibits extreme lethargy, unsteady movement, and a lack of response to stimuli; its coat becomes ragged, and the eyes appear glazed, sunken, or unresponsive. Breathing is shallow and irregular, and the abdomen may be distended from fluid buildup.
What does a dying rat look like? - in detail
A rat that is approaching death exhibits several observable physical and behavioral changes.
The coat becomes dull, dry, and may lose its normal sheen. Fur near the tail and hindquarters often appears matted or clumped because the animal can no longer groom itself. Skin may show pallor, especially on the ears, paws, and around the eyes, indicating reduced blood flow.
Eyes may appear sunken or clouded; the normally bright, alert gaze becomes sluggish or unresponsive. The pupils often dilate and may remain fixed.
Respiratory effort decreases noticeably. Breathing becomes shallow, irregular, and may be accompanied by audible wheezing or occasional gasping. The abdomen may not expand with each breath, reflecting weakened diaphragm movement.
Mobility declines sharply. The rat may lie flat on its side or curl into a ball, unable to stand or move without assistance. When it attempts to shift position, tremors or spasms can be observed in the limbs.
Body temperature drops, leading to a colder, softer feel to the touch, particularly on the extremities. The tail may become cold and lose its usual pink coloration.
Excretory signs include a lack of normal fecal pellets, with possible presence of liquid stool or urine leakage due to loss of sphincter control.
A summary of key indicators:
- Dull, dry, matted fur
- Pale or mottled skin, especially on ears and paws
- Sunken, cloudy eyes with dilated pupils
- Shallow, irregular breathing, occasional wheezing
- Inability to stand, tremors, curled posture
- Reduced body warmth, cold tail
- Absence of normal feces, possible urine leakage
These characteristics together provide a clear visual and tactile profile of a rat in the final stage of life.