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I remember them making fun of that on Ratatouii! There’s a short film on the dvd called “your freind the rat” where the canadian is battling rats. 😆 😆 😆
Greater Basilisk wrote:I’m no fan of rats, but a pet is a pet and I really hope the tumor is non-lethal, and that Nibs is okay. Hugs.
I second this. And the pictures are cute. Hugs. And pats for Nibs.
Dragon Master wrote:I wish you the best.
How long do rats usually live??They have pretty short lives actually- depending on how well they are taken care of- they are actually pretty sensitive animals, they need special bedding and such (costs and arm and a leg) because they easily develop incurable respiratory problems from other types of bedding. But the average lifespan is about 2.5-3 years, but Ive known people who’ve had them live 4-5 years.
Its really too bad they arn’t around longer- so I spoil them rotten haha.foxfeather wrote:The idea is to keep Rats out of Alberta. We are a Grain producing area and the government wants to keep the ‘pests’ away from that potential food source. To that end we have a ‘Rat SWAT’ that patrols the borders and checks incoming shipments for Rats, and goes to places to exterminate them when called. I think that there is a health concern angle too. This squad was set up eons ago, way before people started to look at rats as pets. I do believe that some labs are allowed to keep rats, with strict security so they dont escape, and I have see rats at pet stores but they must be fixed.
the funny thing is that there are areas of Calgary that have rabbit problems. People have let domestic bunnies loose and they did, well what rabbits do and with few predators and lots of nice gardens and lawns for food, theyve become real pests. The town of Canmore, about an hour from here, has even taken to trapping and putting down the bunnies. They have a real problem because the bunnies are attracting wild coyotes.
So the definition of pest depends on your point of view
Oh ok I can see why they would do that- at least they allow neutered ones though. I think nuetered rats are best anyway- particularly with the males, because otherwise they spray. Eugh lol.
purplecat wrote:I remember them making fun of that on Ratatouii! There’s a short film on the dvd called “your freind the rat” where the canadian is battling rats.
I havent seen that one (I dont like computer animated films very much) but the Willard remake that came out in 03 with Crispin Glover had a great featurette on people who own rats, something like ‘Rat People: Friends or Foes’ and it talks about how into people with rats get into them and the rat shows and everything. I thought it was well done.
And thanks again, everyone, for your kind wishes. Nibs is off to the vet in about an hour so I’ll let you guys know whats up.
Well I just got back from the vet, and its not very good. The vet says the tumor is very large, one of the biggest shes seen and its in a problem area that could make it difficult to surgically remove (she said it should be removed). She took some samples of it and couldn’t determine what kind of lump/tumor it was.
Anyway the surgery is going to cost about 3-400 dollars and she is the only doctor at the vets office that works on rats- and she only does surgery on wensdays and he will need a 5 day period where he is watched very closely. She has time this wensday, but we are leaving this week to visit my mom for christmas and cant take us with him, so we wouldnt be able to watch him- so we cant do it this week, and next week shes not going to be there. So its going to be a while before she can do surgery- and it might be bigger/worse in the meantime.
My husband is trying to get me to consider the options no one wants to- especially since he is almost 2, and most rats dont live much longer than that- and its so expensive, and they might not get all of it out, etc. But if we did put Nibs down, Socrates, his brother, has never been apart from his brother and I’m scared what that would do to him. And hes probably too old at this point to introduce him to a new cage-mate without problems between them.
I just dont know what to do right now.
Aw, I’m so sorry you don’t have better news, hun. *hugs* I have no advice….you know what’s best for your situation. It’s such a tough decision you have to make. 🙁
I’m sorry the news isn’t better. But is there any chance the rescue lady would be willing to watch them for the week? She must have lots of experience with rats recovering from surgery.
Oh, that’s awful. So sorry the news wasn’t better. It seems a shame that rats don’t live longer than that. Let us know what you decide to do. *hugs*:)
ddvm wrote:I’m sorry the news isn’t better. But is there any chance the rescue lady would be willing to watch them for the week? She must have lots of experience with rats recovering from surgery.
Im not sure if she would or not- she said they cant hold any pets overnight at the vets office right now though because of how close it is to the holidays.
I still havnt decided what to do and its driving me nuts, I’ve been moping around the house all day, waiting for the vets office to call me with an estimate for the surgery (the vet was just guessing when she said 3-400 dollars).I am very sorry to hear that. Our pets are very dear to us and my prayers and hopes are with you during this very difficult time. Having just gone thru an emergency with my dog I know how easily you can panic when something happens to one of our pets but getting them vet care ASAP can save their lives. I realize you are faced with a very hard decision but I hope whatever you decide is the right one for both you and Nips. Keep us posted on Nip’s progress.
I’m so sorry. My pets are my kids and I know I get freaked out when something happens. I’m so sorry you have to face such a horrible decision. *Hugs*
VB, Im so very sorry youve been put between a rock and hard place with regard to timing and decisions. However, what ever decision you make, will be the right one- no matter what it is. This situation has been thrown at you and is hard to tackle. Youve not been negligent of it, but rather very on top of things. However it turns out, will be the best for you and for Nibs- even if it’s time for him to get his wings. Im hoping it will go the other way, for Socrates sake too.
Again, my thoughts, hopes, love and tons of prayers are with the both of you. Please do keep us posted. Youll always find support in the ppl here.
<3
Well Nibs just got back from surgery- we took him to a different vet, the same one who neutered him and his brother and he preformed the surgery for about $97.00, the other vets office told us it would’ve been $500. And this vet we took him to, had much more expierence with rats too, so all and all it was a good thing we switched.
He was only supposed to get an evaluation yesterday, but the vet felt Nibs needed to be operated on immediately so he made room and did it today, even held Nibs overnight that night with his brother Socrates to keep him company at no extra charge so my husband wouldnt have to make the trip again early the next morning before work to drop them off.
The vet had thought that it would probably be an easy surgery, despite the very large size of the tumor- he said it didnt feel like the tumor was connected to anything major.
Turns out it was though. The surgery ended up being much more invasive because the tumor was not a benign one like we thought it was and had spread to his abdomen and up into his muscle tissue. The vet said he got 99% of it out, but couldn’t get it all. It will eventually come back, we just dont know when, and when it does there wont be much we can do it about it, but we bought him some time, and hopefully it will be longer rather than shorter.Nibs did do very well despite all that though. The vet said he was surprised Nibs had survived the surgery at all, hes a tough little guy and I just need your guys’ thoughts/prayers, I am hoping he will be ok and make it through the night.
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