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I've had small furry pets for years but took a hiatus after my guinea pig died a few years ago from old age. Thanks to this thread I've been inspired to adopt rats. There is a local rat rescue and I have an appointment to see them on Tuesday  I'm really excited.
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Jul 24, 2010 22:19
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| # ¿ Apr 29, 2024 09:49 |
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I live in a basement apartment, small ground level windows means very little natural light. How much natural light should rats get per day? Also, we have a nice backyard and use no chemicals on the lawn, would it be OK to take the rats outside and put them in a wire enclosure (supervised of course)?
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Jul 25, 2010 19:13
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I adopted 2 sister rats from a animal rescue yesterday. That are a dusty brown with white bellies and white gloves. I was only planning on visiting the rescue but when I held them one curled up in my pocket and the other say on my shoulder and chittered at me Now for my question: My aunt requested that I house sit for her for a few days. I want to take the rats with me, but I won't if the hour and a half drive would be too stressful. I do have a housemate but she isn't a pet person and her life is extremely busy right now. What should I do rat goons?
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Jul 27, 2010 13:04
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I just got back from house sitting while leaving the rats with my brother for 2 days. My 2 girls seem just great, sleepy and still not used to me. When I reached into pet one she did something odd which her sister copied. It almost looked like she was huffing and squeaking very softly, this lasted for about 10 seconds. Neither seemed distressed, they were both nuzzling and sniffing my hand, and continued to eat their mini carrots after they stopped making the noise. What were they doing?
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Jul 29, 2010 19:34
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I was walking on a nearby street this morning and saw 2 male white rats in a very large cage on a front porch. No shade food or water, I thought it was odd but kept walking. three hours later I came back the same way and the poor things were still out there and since was ninety degrees out they both were looking very poor. I called the police, and they said they would look into it. I hope the ratties are ok. Update: I drove by and parked when I saw the cage was still outside. The rats were not breathing, I'm guessing the heat killed them. There is a police dispatch a block away and they couldn't send anyone I guess. I'm at a loss, I don't live in the best neighborhood and I didn't want to knock on the door. I wish there was something I could have done. Yarn! fucked around with this message at 21:42 on Aug 9, 2010 |
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Aug 9, 2010 19:50
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I'm a little worried about one of my girls. She is usually first out the cage and first to the treats but tonight she wouldn't come out of her cage. I eventually picked her up and she quietly sat in my lap which is also unusual for her. I checked her over, her breathing is fine, no wounds, her feet look great, no lumps or anything internal and she didn't make any pained sound when I picked her up or palpated her. Maybe she was just feeling quiet but I'm worried. 
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Aug 15, 2010 04:05
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I have 2 older rat females (about two years three months) named Kaylee and Coraline. About 3 weeks ago i noticed a lump on Kaylee, took her to the vet and was told it was a mammary tumor. the Doctor was very kind but told me it was expensive to operate, and since she is an older rat, it may not extend her life much. I resolved to give her as much love as possible until she was uncomfotable and then have her put to sleep. In anticipation of her sister being alone, I adopted 2 new female babies, they are sweet and taking to me well but haven't been introduced to the elder rats yet. This morning when I was holding Coraline, my other elder rat I noticed she has a mass as well on her belly. I'm really sad about this whole situation. I know that tumors are common in rats but I'm afraid I did something to increase the risk of cancer. I am going to miss them both terribly.
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Feb 23, 2012 17:42
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Thank you all for the kind words earlier about Kaylee and Coraline  They are both still alive and the tumor seem to be staying the same size and neither seems uncomfortable. Another good thing is that I just had first introductions between them and the new juvenile rats and it went beyond well. No signs of aggression from any rat, lots of grooming each other but not aggressively. If it all keeps going well than I hope to have all 4 in the same cage by the end of this weekThe new babies  Battle shot! 
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Mar 4, 2012 19:33
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I am taking both my elder rats to be euthanized with a gas tomorrow at a local college who said they would do it at a very low cost. Tonight we are having rat hangout night with as much treats and cuddling as they can handle I'm feeling a bit torn though, one rat is pretty far gone, the tumor is big enough that she has to hunch up to not drag it on the ground. The other rat is doing a bit better but the tumor she has on her groin area is very hard and unmoving and fibrous. Am I an awful person for getting them both put down? With the rate it is growing the groin tumor will be bigger than a golf ball in a week or so. Both rats are in pretty good spirits but are tired a lot more than they used to be before they were ill. I just don't want them to be miserable and in pain, I also GISed 'rat tumors' which was a huge loving mistake.
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Mar 20, 2012 03:48
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| # ¿ Apr 29, 2024 09:49 |
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My girls getting euthanized went as well as it could have. The lab tech who did it was very kind and cuddled them before they went in. It only took about 20 seconds and both rats just curled up in their fleece pocket like they usually do and went to sleep. I felt miserable the day the procedure happened but in retrospect, there wasn't a more pleasant option. On the plus side I bought a nice, gently used, 3 tier cage off craigslist that the young rats I have left will be moving into this weekend.
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Mar 22, 2012 05:25
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