I got some concerning news about my girls

[trihkal]

I just found out the last of my girls' brothers and sisters passed a few days ago. That means out of a litter of fourteen my girls are the last of their litter still living. Asia and Olivia were born November 11, 2010 so they're only fourteen and a half months old. I'm scared what this could mean for my girls and I.

 

[RatHeaven]

I'm sure they will shock you and live a long and happy life think positive

 

[MissGuardian]

Of Nirvana's litter of 11, I was told a couple of months ago that there were only 2-3 still living.. she's still doing fine and is getting close to two years

ETA: Stefans brother Edward died at 14 months of cancer. Stefan is still living. He was 2 years in december, and only has HED now :wink2:

 

[SQ]

Different rats in the same litter may have very different life spans.

It also depends on medical treatment, care, diet etc.
It may help to know what they died from so you can recognize symptoms earlier and get them medical care if they need it

 

[trihkal]

Thanks guys. I am so thankful this forum is there and that its members are so great. I'm trying to not freak out and to keep in mind that different rats from the same litter have different lifespans. SQ I did try to find out how they passed but the breeder doesn't know. I can't believe she wouldn't even ask that. Shouldn't that be something she should find out so she can improve the line?

 

[jorats]

A good home, good care can really lengthen a lifespan.

 

[lilspaz68]

I just found out the last of my girls' brothers and sisters passed a few days ago. That means out of a litter of fourteen my girls are the last of their litter still living. Asia and Olivia were born November 11, 2010 so they're only fourteen and a half months old. I'm scared what this could mean for my girls and I.

You do not know where these little ones ended up, in what type of home...and if the breeder is unaware, I would avoid that breeder from now on. These rats could've ended up in terrible homes that didn't "do vet", etc.

 

[kscanuck785]

jorats and I, had a sister and a brother from the same litter and her Gera outlived my pixie by at least 6-8 months...Pixie had PT and it took her really really fast

 

[SQ]

SQ I did try to find out how they passed but the breeder doesn't know. I can't believe she wouldn't even ask that. Shouldn't that be something she should find out so she can improve the line?

Yes.
This is not a good breeder.
She would be tracking that type of information if she was trying to breed healthy rats.

 

[DadRat]

There can even be a good deal of variation in the same litter.

We lost Jacob at 18 months to a PT and his brother Dominic made it to 32 months before we had to have him PTS due to age related health issues.

 

[trihkal]

To everyone who has responded thanks so much you guys really calmed my fears. I just love these girls so much. I have high hopes for my girls because I feel I give them very good care.
To everyone who talked to me about the breeder I know that she is a byb. When I adopted Asia and Olivia I was very naive and thought she was a good breeder but I have long since changed my mind. I don't regret getting my girls of course but I do regret giving the byb my business. I have definitely learned my lesson.
Thanks again guys.

 

[trihkal]

oops not sure how to delete this lol

 

[Godmother]

Dadrat had a good point about the large variation within a litter. With rats I think that sibs may not all be from the same father? Also, as several others said, a good home with vet care makes a huge difference.

 

[Dazzle87]

I have one that is 14 months who has now outlived her mother. She is in excellent health. I really wouldn't panic, especially since you don't even know how they died.

 

[trihkal]

Thanks Dazzle and Godmother. I have one question for Godmother. Is it safe to assume you mean sibs have different fathers if they're from different litters?

 

[Joanne]

I adopted Jazzy over three years ago and she had 10 babies. I kept 5 and 5 went to a friend. The first rattie to die was Taffy and she started having neurological problems from about 15 months on, and died at about 1.5 years old. The last rattie to die was Tia, and she died two weeks shy of her third birthday (this month). They were in my care, same litter, same home.
SO......... one rattie lived literally twice as long as her sister. So don't let it worry you too much.

 

[trihkal]

Thanks. I try hard to give my girls the best possible care. They are still active and have shown no sign of illness yet so I'm going to put my faith in them and enjoy them while they're still here. I love those girls haha.

 

[hopefloats]

I have 3 siblings, Templeton, loki and mally. Now Templeton recently passed with heart problems but loki is maintaining, Mally mean as ever doesnt show any signs of heart problems so far I also have two of their sons, so I will watch to see if these problems are passed down. that is really all you can do, Love them like mad, and when you lose them mourn...

 

[trihkal]

I have 3 siblings, Templeton, loki and mally. Now Templeton recently passed with heart problems but loki is maintaining, Mally mean as ever doesnt show any signs of heart problems so far I also have two of their sons, so I will watch to see if these problems are passed down. that is really all you can do, Love them like mad, and when you lose them mourn...

And come on chat to talk to you guys lol. It's so true,