RatsRatsRats! - Page 5

hrl20100 · 09-04-2017, 02:02 PM

Hi guys, quick update for you all. Not a positive one unfortunately...
Erin went to the vets and got pts, she lost the use of her back legs completely and they were dragging behind her. She was still trying to be as normal as she could, but rats are prey animals-being normal is what they have to do or they are seen as weak and will become prey in the wild... i'd rather her pass with some quality of life than to be suffering, so i got her put to sleep on thursday. A few people think i did it too early, but what do they know-they never met her.

Also, Robyn and Roo both have the same thing so are looking to probably be seen by the vet soon too... poor Robyn got her back leg caught in the bars of the cage last night-she couldn't get free and was squealing... i had to help her and it was horrible seeing her like that. Oh why do rats have to get old?! Why do they have to get HLD?! :'(

Also! Thor is ill, he's on medication and he also has lice. Fantastic.

Drago · 09-04-2017, 04:20 PM

Glad to see an update on these little loves xx

Sorry to hear it's such a sad one

I'm so sorry to hear about Erin, but she had a wonderful and loving home with you. You made the right, and kindest choice IMO. I didn't even know Erin and I think you made the right decision. Play well at the bridge sweetheart

Sorry about Thor, Robyn, and Roo as well. I hope these guys don't meet their fate too soon. Fingers crossed for a good and speedy recovery. It really is such a shame they can't live as long as we'd like them to. Hope things start looking up for you and your mischief xx

hrl20100 · 09-05-2017, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drago

Glad to see an update on these little loves xx

Sorry to hear it's such a sad one

I'm so sorry to hear about Erin, but she had a wonderful and loving home with you. You made the right, and kindest choice IMO. I didn't even know Erin and I think you made the right decision. Play well at the bridge sweetheart

Sorry about Thor, Robyn, and Roo as well. I hope these guys don't meet their fate too soon. Fingers crossed for a good and speedy recovery. It really is such a shame they can't live as long as we'd like them to. Hope things start looking up for you and your mischief xx

Yeah sorry for it not being a very positive update! I guess thats what happens when you get 4 rats all so close together, think I got them a 2 months apart. Buy rats together, they get old together!

But I did forget to mention that they have recently all got some new toys. They have several new ropes for me to hang in their cage, and!!!!! I HAVE BOUGHT THEM A MASSIVE CAT TREE and they LOVE it!

Pictures to come-my laptop is not cooperating today, so pictures soon hopefully...

Here is a teaser before it started playing up...

dreamtree1234 · 09-08-2017, 08:16 AM

Oh, no! What terrible news, Hrl! I was so excited to see you had an update, but I cried when I read all that has been going on with your beloved rats. I'm terribly sorry that you are having to go through such a sad time with the passing of sweet Erin and now worrying about the health and well-being of Thor, Robyn, and Roo, too. I know it was very painful for you to have Erin PTS, but you did the most selfless and loving thing for her so she could go peacefully to the Rainbow Bridge. RIP and have many wonderful adventures at the bridge, Erin. You will be greatly missed. Hopefully, Thor, Robyn, and Roo will be able to have a speedy and full recovery. My heart goes out to you, Hrl, and I am sending huge hugs your way.

I am glad that you were able to treat your rat family with a massive cat tree and some ropes, too. The pic of them all playing on the cat tree put a huge smile on my face so thanks for sharing it with us. It must be such an amazing and unforgettable sight to see them all having a marvelous time with it. I look forward to the rest of the pics when you get the chance and your laptop isn't acting up. The teaser was GREAT!!!

hrl20100 · 09-12-2017, 03:09 PM

Well, more horrible news for you all...

Not only did Thor unfortunately pass away this morning, but his brother Loki, is also gone as well. This story is not at all pleasant so if you are squeamish then stop reading now...

I went in to check on all the rats on Friday morning as normal. When I see Loki just laying there on the floor of the cage. Out in the open, just laying there. Not like him at all. Went to have a closer look... he was curled up and had a huge massive open wound on his back. Honestly it was about the size of my closed fist... it was huge. Blood everywhere. On the bedding, on their house, on a shoebox, splattered all round the cage. It was horrible.

Now they had never fought in their life. Everyone loved Loki. Just the other day I took photos of them all sat together being super cute. The night before the horrible discovery, they were all snuggled together fast asleep. My partner was up until 4 (he works nights, sleep pattern is off) and didnt hear a peep out of any of them. (and trust me, if they were fighting, you can hear it!)

As you can imagine, I was distraught. Coping with Erin's passing, looking after poor Thor and seeing Robyn and Roo struggling with their old age, this was just too much to deal with. I broke down... It was awful. First thoughts were (as you would do with that awful injury) automatically, fighting. But as I have said, they never once fought. My mind was all over the place. After a while I posted what had happened on a rat group on facebook to try and get some answers.

Turns out, he 99% sure, died of natural causes as rats are very good at hiding illnesses, and the others did a 'clean up' which is instinct as in the wild, predators would smell the dead ones and be attracted to that area. Which would obviously put the others at risk. So its instinct for them to try and clean up the mess... yes, by eating the dead body...

So all in all, been a pretty awful start to september for me!
But we are burying Thor and Loki together in the garden tomorrow as they are brothers and deserve to stay together.

Some pictures of them... The saddest thing is, that I didnt have them for very long at all... we got them in March and I haven't managed to take a lot of photos as with a fulltime job, I can never find the time! So a few of these you may have seen before-so apologies.

dreamtree1234 · 09-12-2017, 07:46 PM

Oh, no. . . I can't believe all this terrible news so recently after the devastating passing of Erin! Tears are rolling down my cheeks as I read this; I can't stop crying. I am crying for you and all the pain you are going through, and for the two sweeties, Loki and Thor, who passed to the Rainbow Bridge as well. When the rain of grief falls, it unfortunately pours sometimes; I'm so extremely sorry that it has been a flood of sadness this month. It must have been extremely sad to see Thor pass, and the sight of Loki that way must have been truly shocking and utterly heartbreaking. Rest in peace, Loki and Thor. May you find Erin and have many good times together at the Rainbow Bridge. Hopefully, Robyn and Roo will continue to find strength in their old age and be with you for quite some time. My prayers and thoughts are with you during this hard time. Hugs to you and cuddles to your remaining rat family. Although you don't have as many pics as you had wished, the ones that you do have are so incredibly adorable and heartfelt. May they bring you happiness and peace.

hrl20100 · 09-13-2017, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamtree1234

Oh, no. . . I can't believe all this terrible news so recently after the devastating passing of Erin! Tears are rolling down my cheeks as I read this; I can't stop crying. I am crying for you and all the pain you are going through, and for the two sweeties, Loki and Thor, who passed to the Rainbow Bridge as well. When the rain of grief falls, it unfortunately pours sometimes; I'm so extremely sorry that it has been a flood of sadness this month. It must have been extremely sad to see Thor pass, and the sight of Loki that way must have been truly shocking and utterly heartbreaking. Rest in peace, Loki and Thor. May you find Erin and have many good times together at the Rainbow Bridge. Hopefully, Robyn and Roo will continue to find strength in their old age and be with you for quite some time. My prayers and thoughts are with you during this hard time. Hugs to you and cuddles to your remaining rat family. Although you don't have as many pics as you had wished, the ones that you do have are so incredibly adorable and heartfelt. May they bring you happiness and peace.

Thankyou so so much for your kind words... they are really appreciated XXX

dreamtree1234 · 09-16-2017, 05:56 AM

How is the rat family doing today? I hope they are all well and keeping quite busy having fun. I was thinking of you and your rats so I just wanted you to know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Take care, Hrl, and hugs to you.

Thin Lizzy · 09-16-2017, 08:44 PM

Oh no, this is awful, firstly Erin, you made the right choice having her pts, I know you wouldn't have made this decision easily but you saw and knew deep down she was suffering and you did the kindest thing. My condolences on Thor & Loki, what a shock to find them. I had a good cry before posting, I know how animal mad you are.
How are Robin & Roo doing?
Sending you big, big hugs xxx
Gorgeous pics!

dreamtree1234 · 09-17-2017, 02:46 AM

I do hope that you and your 16 remaining rats are able to comfort one another during this very sad time. I am keeping you all in my thoughts and am saying individual prayers for each of your rats that they will be with you for quite some time. I hope that Robyn and Roo are able to keep up their strength during old age. I believe that I'm correct that you now have 4 boys: Albus, Neville, Sirius, and Draco. You also have 12 girls: Robyn, Roo, Elsie, Faye, Freya, Luna, Nova, and I sadly do not know your other 5 beauties' names but pray for them individually as well. I am sending you lots and lots of hugs and tons of cuddles to your rat family, too. We are here for you, Hrl.