A little concerned, any input would be great.

[Melissa's ZOO]

Probably about a month or so ago, I accidentally sat on Clover. Not all of the way but I know I squished her pretty good. She did not squeal just ran and hid from me for a minute. When I got to come see me I felt her over and everything seemed fine she did not act hurt or squeal when touched her. But I have noticed since then she is less active, instead of running in the wheel she walks or sleeps in it, she also will roll on her side when I pet her stretching her back legs and quivering. I think I might have caused a little damage to her hind end. Some days she is great running, playing and climbing with the rest but then there are days where she is just not her self.

Here are some pics of her on her side, she is a very relaxed girly.

She even stays like that and lets the others run all over her.

But maybe it is just age she is probably about 15 to 16 months old.

 

[lilspaz68]

My neutered boys Tucker and Bear at just over a year, and Dilbert at 18 months all do that. As long as she is not acting stiff, or seeming awkard or in pain I wouldn't worry. Rats heal well from injuries, unlike diseases or illnesses.

she's adorable!!!!

 

[Melissa's ZOO]

Thank that makes me feel better. I still feel bad for sitting on her and now I am super careful before I sit down to play with them. I am sure now, that the rest of them probably do the leg quiver thing to, but they won't let me put them on their side like that so I don't see it.

She is one of the sweetest girlies I have. They all have their moments but when I want to love someone I can count on Clover to let me do it no matter what she is doing.

 

[jorats]

I agree with Lilspaz. I've come close so many times to sit, step or kneel on them. They are so fast and sneaky.

 

[Melissa's ZOO]

You aren't kidding I leaned forward for a split second, sat right back down and she managed to get from the floor to the top of my chair in that split second and squish. Now I use my hand to sweep under me before i sit.

 

[LA]

I know how scary that can be, the other day during out time I moved my hand and hit Hazel, not hard but it scared me. She ran up on my lap and cuddled with me for a bit actually and she's not a cuddly rat all the time. So I know I scared her, but I am happy she came to me though.

 

[MumsyRat]

Here's one to make you feel less guilty...

I used to have a free range rat named BlueGuy. One day while I was walking along it turned out he happened to be in my path but I didn't see him. I punted him across the room like a football. :doh: I spent the rest of his life walking around the house with my eyes on the ground like I was looking for loose change!

 

[Godmother]

It is such a worry. I am terrified of stepping on one of them or tripping and falling onto them when they are out in their play area. I have to be hypervigilant about every step I take, and there have been a couple of close calls. When visiting SQ I worry about sitting on someone by mistake.

 

[lilspaz68]

Learn how to shuffle your feet when you walk so if something happens its only a short pushing type of punt :roll:, and lower your butt carefully when you sit down. I learned this very quickly with the Horde...hehe. Rats squish well though and I have only heard of one serious injury coming from this type of situation.

 

[mamarat2]

Learn how to shuffle your feet when you walk so if something happens its only a short pushing type of punt :roll:, and lower your butt carefully when you sit down. I learned this very quickly with the Horde...hehe. Rats squish well though and I have only heard of one serious injury coming from this type of situation.

Yah I do the same thing, shuffle the feet, and also I try not to wear shoes when they are out and about too.

 

[jennifervb]

Probably about a month or so ago, I accidentally sat on Clover. Not all of the way but I know I squished her pretty good. She did not squeal just ran and hid from me for a minute. When I got to come see me I felt her over and everything seemed fine she did not act hurt or squeal when touched her. But I have noticed since then she is less active, instead of running in the wheel she walks or sleeps in it, she also will roll on her side when I pet her stretching her back legs and quivering. I think I might have caused a little damage to her hind end. Some days she is great running, playing and climbing with the rest but then there are days where she is just not her self.

Here are some pics of her on her side, she is a very relaxed girly.

She even stays like that and lets the others run all over her.

But maybe it is just age she is probably about 15 to 16 months old.

I once, almost sat on Basil! He gave me a little grunt and I was on my feet again so fast you would have thought I was in a time warp.

Fortunately, he was not hurt. I wouldn't worry about little Clover. Both Ben and Basil lie on the floor, in a similar way to Clover, and as long as she does not behave as if she is in pain, she is most likely ok.

I now meticulously check the place, I intend to park myself, before I park myself there. I also remove my shoes and socks before I let them run on the floor and I slide my feet instead of walking.

Basil follows me alot and I do not want to harm my little suitor. :heart: :love6:

Do you have a vet who has experience with exotics? If so, you can always have the little lady checked. I would, however, only suggest that if you are really worried about her. I have actually watched Ben crush himself underneath a closed door! The space between the door and the carpet was large enough for him to be able to fit his head under... from there, he was able to squeeze through without any injury whatsoever!

What I'm trying to say is that a rat can flatten itself in amazing ways which would indicate that being accidentally sat upon would not do alot of damage.

Give Clover a smooooooooooch on the little head for me and tell her that she is a pro. She is a rat!

It doesn't suck to be her. 8)

 

[Melissa's ZOO]

Thanks for all the comforting, stories and suggestions. I now shuffle my feet when I walk and I sweep under me before sitting. I now no that Clover is just really comfortable laying like that especially if you are petting her. I found out last night that if I hold her on her back in both hands like a baby with my thumb in her mouth she will go to sleep. I would have to say that all of my girls have a huge chunk of my heart but Clover would have to be my heart rat. :lovestruck:

 

[SQ]

Being the paranoid person I am, I would take her to the vet and have an xray done, see if she need a steroid if there was spinal swelling, etc. if I suspected there was a problem ....

Many of us have felt terror and guilt over sitting or stepping on fast moving ratties ... I have done so as well ... It has been a long time since I stepped on anyone and the boys have passed but I still feel bad ... the bruses on the poor little boy's tails took awhile to heal. I am (and was) very careful and walk around in my bare feet to try to prevent such occurrences.

 

[Moon]

I love the picture of her chewing on her feet, LOL

When my dad was young he rolled over onto one of his pet rats. The rat was fine but it scared the crud out of him!