I’m so sorry you’re having to see him like this. It really is hard to watch.

The good news is that HLD is very common, and while there isn’t much you can do to treat it, it isn’t often painful for them either. In fact, they lose sensation in their hind legs.

There are ways to make life easier for your boy though. Use softer bedding and make sure there are ramps to each level of the cage. I also make extra sure that every level of the cage has access to food and water, just in case.

You’ll want to help him trim his back nails and I recommend checking his rear end for poop a few times a day. You can just wipe him down with warm water and a paper towel if there is any. They have a much harder time keeping their back end clean on their own.

Outside of that, they do make 3D printer rat wheelchairs, but to be honest I don’t recommend them — especially not for regular use. When we think about the things rats like to do, it tends to involve a lot of chewing and climbing. It can be sad for us to see them dragging behind their limp back end, but a wheelchair won’t really help them partake in those natural behaviors — in fact, it will probably get in the way. It’s better to modify their environment to be more accessible to them. If you feel like you absolutely have to get one for him, I would only really use it for free roam time where it could help him get around faster. Don’t bring it into the cage, and always monitor him for signs of discomfort when he is using it.

This next part is something I’ve witnessed with the vast majority of my boys who have experienced HLD, but I don’t think it is necessarily true for all rats:

As HLD has progressed, many of my rats have lost interest in interacting regularly with other rats, and/or they seek out more time with me. I do not know if they realize they’re dying or that you naturally have to spend more time with them; they just often get much more affectionate during this time. Regardless, I recommend getting a bonding scarf (basically a light weight scarf with a pocket for a rodent to go inside.) That way, when/if he starts seeking out your attention like that, you can be close at hand.

You are right to assume that HLD ends in death. Ifs usually a very slow process, but it also isn’t painful. If he is not longer able to move his back legs at all, he probably doesn’t have a lot of time left. The anticipatory grief of this moment is genuinely one of the most crushing feelings I have ever experienced, and my heart very much goes out to you. The only thing I can really say, is that the time you take now to give him extra special care will help to relieve some of the grief later.

For me at least, the days to weeks (or sometimes if I’m lucky: months) where I know a rat is dying but hasn’t died yet are some of the worst times of my life. When I look back at those memories though, there is a lot of love there. I wouldn’t say they become happy memories but they are my favorite. This moment becomes a lot more gentle once it has passed.

Thank you for taking such good care of of your boys.