Angry Rat

[Alldara]

Roo has been with all of her six sisters in a double ferret nation since last spring. (no littermates) We noticed one of our other females became very withdrawn in the last month (Artimouse). She is very sweet and gentle and just spent a lot of time in her nest. Then Ophelia got a little too adventerous and sprained her foot from one of her crazy acrobatic tricks she.loves to do so much. She was limping but there was no swelling. Two days later it was fine when I went to bed but swollen at breakfast time. I made a hard decision and separated the cage in half, putting Ophelia on her own. I had a tweleve hour shift, however and was.concerned about leaving her alone that long. So I put our gentle Artimouse down with he and gave.her some baby advil. When I returned from work, the swelling was down and by the next day, 100% gone.
Ophelia was separated for a week, but I gave all the girls visiting hours. I supervised each first visiting hour.
Over the week I paid close attention to the cage because there was.much squeeking. I noticed Roo started.to beat up on the.other rats...even our most outgoing rat, that shes been with since three months, was being terrorized. She even nipped me and my partner. I left her alone in the half cage one evening and because it went so well left it like that overnight. In the morning she was back to her loving self. I left two rats with.her.while I went to work and moved them when I.got home.
Tonight Ophelia was finally better and I unseparated the cages. Everyone played and bruxxed happily and Ophelia was so excited. After I left it was.a few hours before I heard the.first squeek. Two.and.a half hours later I have.reseparated the cages. Squeeking over. Theres no blood...but I dont want to let it get that far. Is Roo a rat that wants to live.on her.own and.just have ratty friends?

 

[jorats]

When you separate a cage, you throw the colony off balance. A colony needs every member for it to work well. Roo took this as a sign to take charge and now it's out of control. You are going to need to re-introduce everyone and use a time out cage for Roo She needs to learn that she doesn't need to take charge. Next time, don't separate the rats, it's never a good idea.
Another thing, check to see if your rats might have mites/lice. That can make rats become grumpy. Check each one for small scabs on their body. Even if just one has it, they all should be treated.
Also, how old is Roo? Sometimes a neurological event can change the behaviour of a rat.

 

[Alldara]

There's no lice. And separating Ophelia was necessary. Roo was already picking on her which is why her foot began to swell. A light sprain only swells that much later if other rats arent leaving the rat to rest. Roos been "in charge" since Talis died back in August. But its only this passed month that shes been hostile towards everyone. Usually she just.power grooms the other rats. And shes never bitten before. She is completly blind and when we got her she couldnt walk well or climb at all. Since we got her weve been.working with her...even to teach her to use.a water bottle. From what they told me she would be around one year old now. Their cage isnt kept in a stressful area. Its been in the same place since the summer. She has been on doxy for an eye infection but she was on it for three weeks before she started biting and she stopped when I put her in her own cage.

 

[lilspaz68]

Especially since your girl is blind, she may not have the "delicate" touch a seeing rat might have and shes tryign to prove a point. Let them work it out, squeaking and all...no need to separate. They are just re-establishing their roles, and it should all be fine in a few days or so.