There's something wrong with one of my rats-Sad Update :(

[muldey]

One of my rats,Adeline,is sick.Her sister Sally seems to be fine.There is something growing on Addy's bum,and I just picked her up and noticed it's bleeding.My best friend had 2 of her brothers,and one recently died,and he had something similar going on.The other one is fine.They are almost 2yo,so I know they are close to their life span.I'm not sure what to do.I'd like to take her into the vet tomorrow,but I have to borrow the money to do that.I'm afraid she is dying.I just got her to drink some water,and I guess it made her feel a little better,she was at the food bowl a minute ago.I knew something was wrong when she wasn't coming out for treats.She's also lost some weight,she was twice the size of her sister and now they are about the same size.I just feel so bad for her,she must be in pain and there's nothing I can do until at least tomorrow.Anyone have something similar happen with a pet rat?What did you do?My bf didn't take her rat to the vet,she said she wasn't spending that kind of money on a $5 pet.But I feel a life is a life,and if I can help ease her suffering I will.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I am sorry mama pets are special no matter what the species. It sounds like cancer to me since domesticated rats have that problem a lot because of the genetics.

[tinuviel_k]

I'm sorry. I agree; it sounds like a tumor. I had pet rats and three out of five of them died from tumors. It is a sad part of having ratties, I am afraid. The only way to prevent some kinds of tumors is to have rats spayed or neutered, and it is hard to find a vet that will do that for rats.

Some folks get the tumors removed surgically, but if the rat is at the end of its natural lifespan then I'd rather put her to sleep gently or have her live out her natural life if she is not in pain.

[Oubliette8]

I agree, it sounds like a tumor. I have had a tumor removed on a rat, but she was much younger than your rat. Ours did fine with the surgery, although did develop another tumor later in life that we chose not to remove due to age.

[Attached2Elijah]

I'm so sorry Mama. We just lost a pet rat about 3 weeks ago. She was a lilac, odd-eye dumbo and I believe she, too, died from a tumor in her brain or odd eye as it turned to liquid immediately after dying. Losing her was very hard on our whole family but especially on my son, whom she belonged to. Unfortunately when they start showing symptoms your rat is displaying, it's usually too late to do anything and even if you could, like you said, it could be quite costly for a $5 pet. Good luck and hopefully she will pull through.

[muldey]

She seems to be doing a little better.She's coming out for treats and pokes her little head out at me when I go near the cage to talk to her.She doesn't seem to be in a lot of pain,so I didn't take her to the vet.I'm sure now that it's a tumor.I didn't realize they were so common.I'm so sorry to hear about all the lost ratties.We love ours dearly,they are usually such happy little girls.They love to try and get the cats through the cage .I'll let you all know how she's doing.Thanks so much!

[da-tamsta]

Good luck with your rat. Give it lots of love while you have it. I've had so many and they do pass from cancer a lot. Gosh, rats are awesome pets and we have to cherish every moment that we have with them.

[Attached2Elijah]

Oh I'm so glad to hear she's doing a little better! Hopefully she continues to improve.

On a side note, we got a new baby (5 weeks) 2 days ago! Wow, it has been awhile since we had a baby rattie in this household! She's soooo fast and spunky! She's a black hooded and her name is Angel. I didn't realize so many people had rats on here.... everyone thinks we're nuts to have rats as pets but I just love them more then any other pet I've ever had.

[greenmagick]

Glad she is doing better.

I had 5 rats that I got 2 years ago, we are down to 1. We lost our first after his neuter...just kept getting infection after infection. Then another from I dont know what...then this summer we lost 2 more. I hate only having one, but dont know if its more stressful to add a new one when he is already older...

I love ratties

[Attached2Elijah]

Originally Posted by greenmagick

Glad she is doing better.

I had 5 rats that I got 2 years ago, we are down to 1. We lost our first after his neuter...just kept getting infection after infection. Then another from I dont know what...then this summer we lost 2 more. I hate only having one, but dont know if its more stressful to add a new one when he is already older...

I love ratties

We just added our new baby to a 2.5 year old and they are doing great. The older one just basically ignores the baby. The baby tries to nurse off her, climbs all over her and just basically is an annoyance but she does great with her... might be worth a shot. Your rattie might be lonely... mine definitely was before we got our little baby.

[muldey]

Adeline passed away this morning. Now Sally has a growth under her arm,but thankfully is not open like Adeline's.I'm just glad she is no longer suffering,but I am still very sad.Dd's doing ok,she started to cry when I told her but is ok now.Ds never really interacted with the rats,so I don't think it will affect him much.