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Old 10-09-2020, 08:46 AM   #1
Amethyst_ice
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Default Rescue Ratties

Hi All,

Many of you will know I have focussed more on rat keeping but still have hammy love. I've been keeping rats for over 10 years now but havn't had the best of years. I've lost many too young and my mischielf is down to 4 now and possibly have to say goodbye to one as I suspect he has a tumour in his cheek which isn't operable. Ive been trying to get new kits for months but the breeders aren't havn't much luck either.

I'm down to a very scraggy old man who has a bad leg but still gets around, my middle age man I may have to say bye to, and two energetic 1 year olds.

I saw some rats advertised on the rspca and thought i'd just enquire. I didn't get them but the shelter phoned me a few days ago and said how impressed they were with my knowledge, experience and set up and would I consider the 2 remaining boys?

Their story is here *warning, contains distressing images*

https://www.kenilworthweeklynews.co....lworth-2953873

They have been at the shelter since mid August and didn't have much fur and short whiskers. The vet said the fur should grow back but from the description, I suspected they were double rex (like hamster rex of wavy fur, the double gene of this causes a patchwork balding effect and curly whiskers, it's genetic not medical- they are also not ethically approved of much in ratty world much like many hairless varieties and do have additional health risks such as skin isues and ingrown hairs).

I am not a fair of hairless or rex varieties but thought I'd see the videos. This is what they sent me

Video 1: https://streamable.com/t4itcm
Video 2: https://streamable.com/ihmjuk

IMG-20201007-WA0007.jpg

IMG-20201007-WA0008.jpg

I found myself grinning away while watching. On a personal level..Ive been having some bad hair loss for a while and on Monday it was decided to stop a medication I'm on as they believe it is the cause. The nhs are also funding me a wig..I wear a hat in the house all the time and it has really knocked me back.

I'm not a huge believer in fate but with every ratty Ive tried to get the past few months not working out, I felt perhaps we were all meant to be baldies together..so I said yes!

I've been communicating with them lots and my own vet to ensure they don't pose any risk to my group and hopefully when they have setttled and I've worked with them a bit (centre staff say they will take treats but not sure about handling..they look quite confident in the video if just a tad shy) they can be introed to my group!

From talking to friends who have double rex, they said they are very warm due to a faster metabolism and other rats curl up to them more.

I have a greek name theme with my current lot and think these two will be renamed Kairos & Tempus. The greek god Kairos (roman equiv is Tempus) was the god of favourable and opportune moments and is dispicted with a bald patch and single strand of hair. It all seems very fitting!

I'm due to collect them Sunday morning and i'm super nervous. I have "rescued" rats in the past, but those were more gumtree type rehomes. These will be my first proper rescues. Given the lab tank they were found in and marker pen on the tank, I suspect they have come from a large scale backyard breeding set up, likely for snake food so possibly have lived their life in that cage or similar. There was a single female found with the 5 males also which points to this.

The centre age one around a year and the other 6 months. I don't know how long i'll have with them or if they will bond to my group but either way they have a forever home here and lots of snuggly hammocks, fresh food and clean water.

And snuggies if they let me!
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Old 10-09-2020, 09:55 AM   #2
Engel
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Default Re: Rescue Ratties

Aww cute squish beans!

Can I see their setup? I currently have 2 does and may add to them next year. Looking for cage inspo (and more rattie photos)
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Old 10-09-2020, 10:40 AM   #3
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Default Re: Rescue Ratties

If you plan to continue to have rats then I usually (pre covid) "top up" every 6 months to spread my ages out, I get the odd trio if I can as well as you never can predict losing them "in order"

The new guys will be going into old hammy Boromir's cage (80 x 50) while they settle. So I won't post that just incase any one visiting the forum doesn't read and thinks that is an ok perm rat set up.

My main cage is a liberta explorer I invested in several years ago and love it. The doors fully open and I can divide the cage into two sections which ive done when had a group of oldies who needed less climbing etc. I just did cage clean, it's not my ideal set up atm as I have an oldie with HLD (Hind leg degeneration) and he is a stubborn man and insists on still climbing to the top! Usually I'd have a similar age oldie to put them into retirement so ive had to add lots more hammocks and ledges and steps for him to get around.. it makes the others lazy though! I'll see what photos I can dig out for you

x
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Old 10-09-2020, 11:49 AM   #4
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Default Re: Rescue Ratties

Poor little things just dumped like that. But, exciting for you and them Amethyst. I hope they settle in well.
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Old 10-09-2020, 01:37 PM   #5
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Default Re: Rescue Ratties

I made a cringey cage tour video

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGIugRXH..._web_copy_link
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Old 10-09-2020, 01:43 PM   #6
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Default Re: Rescue Ratties

I do hope they settle with your group - it really looks like they might need friends to give them cuddles and reassurance, such a shame they have been bred this way. Please let us know how they get on. Do you watch Isamu Rat Care - can highly recommend her videos, very knowledgeable and useful - my fingers are crossed for them!
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Old 10-11-2020, 04:41 PM   #7
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Default Re: Rescue Ratties

I have a group already that I hope to intro them into once they settle in. I do watch yes, she's very good.

So... they are home!

My friend met me at the RSPCA centre and they brought them out to the car. My friend dived right in and lifted one out. He started boggling and bruxing! The other got some scritches form me in the carrier and looked very chilled. My friend gave up rats last year and was swooning over them big time!

Reading through their medical history, the younger of the two was 180g when they found him! Both have put on around 100g since and I hope to keep feeding them up. they have squared tails which isnt suprising, it's a sign on malnution and poor growth.

I got them in a snuggle pouch when I got home and they feel like velvet! I wasn't too bothered how they look, they are amazing little guys given what they have gone through. The younger is more confident and has hopped out the door onto my lap already lbut I think with time and my group they wil develop into really , confident boys.

I gave them some spaghetti and they didn't know what to do with it. Likewise the ropes in the cage scared them. Everything is new so i'm just taking my time with them. They seem to really like the pea flaks in my mix.. a bit odd given all all the more exciting things in my mix!

I know I made the right choice and it all feels just right. I don't even see their quirky looks tbh!

Here are some videos (on IG sorry, useless at tech!)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGM_jcjH..._web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGNATkmH..._web_copy_link

and the cute little gramlins!

IMG_20201011_135755_699.jpg

IMG_20201011_135755_688.jpg

IMG_20201011_215302.jpg

As you can see, Kairos is the more confident of the two, probably as he is younger. It's only day 1 though
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Old 10-12-2020, 02:52 AM   #8
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Default Re: Rescue Ratties

They are just awesome! So gentle
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Old 10-12-2020, 05:01 AM   #9
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Default Re: Rescue Ratties

They are just beautiful and well done on giving them a lovely new home x
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Old 10-12-2020, 05:54 AM   #10
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Default Re: Rescue Ratties

Been following on IG and they look so cute and look like they are settling in to their new home.
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rex, rats, months, video, group, fur, found, double, varieties, single, thought, year, tank, ratty, due, hairless, past, greek, set, keeping, shelter, age, hair, centre, food

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