A little worried?

[Melissa's ZOO]

I just found out that one of Pumpkin's sisters passed away sometime last night unexpectedly. She said she was fine before she went to bed and she was gone when she went to see them this morning.

Pumpkin was born on 10/31/2007.

So i am a little worried and will be watching Pumpkin like a hawk to make sure she will be okay.

Any ideas on what might have happened to her sister?

Oh and now I know Pumpkin is a high white and so was her Daddy so I am worried about late megacolon? I thought high white was just the blazed rats, but Pumkin has the white dot on her forehead and her chin is all white. Her daddy was all white with a brown patch over each eye and her mom looks just like Pumkin.

Pumkin is the Agoutie and white standing up

 

[lilspaz68]

If it was that sudden it doesn't sound like late onset MC. That will show an obviously sick rat rather than this type of situation. Plus they usually bloat up.

Its sad but if they are pet store stock it could be anything. Heart attack, stroke, who knows. Try not to worry too much, and just enjoy your gal.

 

[Melissa's ZOO]

I wondered that.

Yeah, they are originally pet store rats and a supposedly oops litter(her girl got out and visited her boy) but who knows. It makes you wonder if people just say it was an oops litter just so people will feel sorry for them and adopt a baby.

Anyways, I have decided no more pet store rats, even from oops litters, just because it might not really be an oops. I plan on every summer going to Pennsylvania to visit my grandparents and there are a few rescues up there so I will plan on bringing home a couple of new additions when I go to visit.

 

[jorats]

I think that's wonderful Melissa!! Getting them from rescues is just fantastic!

 

[Melissa's ZOO]

Thanks, I always push dogs and cats for rescue so I will do the same with rats, there aren't any close to where I live so I will just do out of state when I can.

 

[Willow Bean]

I agree with Shelagh, I doubt that it's late onset MC but remember that High White can be present in even a self rat. If one parent has High White then the entire litter can carry the genetics. Anyhow, I think that it's a great idea to not buy anymore pet store rats or "oops" litter babies unless you know it was really an Oops! Rescuing rats is much better anyhow because babies are easier to place than adults and there are so many out there that need good homes. ^_^

 

[mamarat2]

Pennsylvania huh Melissa?? Small Angels is in Maryland and I *think* there are some foster homes in PA I know a good rescue that always has rats

 

[Melissa's ZOO]

Really, I did not think about that. I am originally from Williamsport PA. So I would be willing to drive a few hours to get a couple of rescues. It won't be for a few months though so when I get ready to head that way I will give you a heads up and we can go from there. My mom and I usually drive up around September or October so it is not to hot or cold.

I already told my grammy (grandma) to be prepared for a few rats to tag along because if I have oldies or sick ones they will probably be coming with me so the bf doesn't have to worry about anything other than feeding and watering them. We usually only stay for a week. I can't stand to be away from my animals for any longer than that and she is scared of my pit bull Dazie so i am not a loud to bring her with me.

 

[mamarat2]

Let's see, we went up to Williamsport back in October for a wedding. Just looked at mapquest again for Williamsport and it takes me 3.5 hours to get there.

They are in the process of revamping the Small Angels website right now, but check back next week or so and let me know when you are heading out eventually.

We'll have to get you in touch with the rat person that does the adoptions but I don't see why we wouldn't be able to work it out if there is a good match for you in the rescue and you'll be in PA.

 

[Melissa's ZOO]

Yeah, I was just looking at it but couldn't find anything about who they have up for adoption. I would be willing to take a couple that are hard to place or have been in foster for awhile due to know one wanting them so they can live out their lives in comfort and to make room for more adoptable rats. You know what I mean?

I don't mind hard cases I enjoy it when the day comes that I see a change or a difference. Like the day Rose finally let me hold her without biting me, that was a great day and that my patience finally paid off. She still HATES to be held but she tolerates me enough to do a quick rub down for lumps or injuries. :twisted: She has the look of put me down you evil woman, dirty, dirty human.

 

[mamarat2]

Yeah, I was just looking at it but couldn't find anything about who they have up for adoption. I would be willing to take a couple that are hard to place or have been in foster for awhile due to know one wanting them so they can live out their lives in comfort and to make room for more adoptable rats. You know what I mean?

I don't mind hard cases I enjoy it when the day comes that I see a change or a difference. Like the day Rose finally let me hold her without biting me, that was a great day and that my patience finally paid off. She still HATES to be held but she tolerates me enough to do a quick rub down for lumps or injuries. :twisted: She has the look of put me down you evil woman, dirty, dirty human.

Oh Michelle will love you! Michelle is our rat coordinator. I'll pass this link on to her! She also keeps most of the rat kids that are hard to place, so she normally has quite a few.

 

[Melissa's ZOO]

Do they neuter the boys? or would that be up to me? After having my girls and dealing with the tumors I think I will switch to boys and just get them neutered. I love my girls but I cannot afford a $350.00 spay and the tumors are just killing me emotionally. I get them removed but once they get older I will have to suffer with watching them grow and taking over their body.

My vet only charges $50 for a neuter and $50 for a tumor removal but he does not do spays. i can handle the cost of a neuter or tumor just not a spay.

 

[LA]

I have to say, after taking in Olivia and Pearl I would defiantely take in rescues again. To see them go from scared to awed to totally happiness is probably the best thing in the world. Also seeing how Jacqui, River and Summer reacted to a life of luxery is just the topping on the cake. So worth it.

But I will admit, I am happy I have my Lily (from a petstore) she picked me and she's my baby.

 

[mamarat2]

Melissa,

They rarely get the boys neutered. Not sure if they have a rat vet that does the neuters. You could always ask her and see if they can be neutered prior to adoption and you can pay them back (not sure how that works) or you can get them neutered back at your vet.

I talked to Michelle and she says she has no problem adopting to you, especially since you will be in the area. I can give you her info as we get closer to the time when you will be in town to work it out.

Jen

 

[Melissa's ZOO]

Thanks that will be great, and when I know for sure when I am heading up there I will give at least a couple weeks notice so we can get everything planned out. I will probably just wait and get them neutered at home, that way they can have sometime to settle in and get healed before we start intros and I can have some one on one time with them. The girls are so clingy I have to fight them off to even stand-up or distract them with food.

I agree LA, I don't regret getting my girls (they all but two came from petstores) I just regret supporting an inhumane trade. But now I know better and only shop at stores that do not sell live animals or online and will only do rescues from now on.