My First Intro

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EDK

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2012
Messages
1,720
Location
Texas
Since this is my first real rattie intro I figured I'd try to document it best I can. Jorats has been very kind in helping me stress wise when it comes to these intros and explaining what to expect and not to be concerned about etc. My first intros happened a few days back and they were very rough from the start, some fighting breaking out, and worried behavior between my newest boy and other boys. The fear is that they won't accept my newest boy and he'll have to remain in the guest cage while he stays, which I'd hate for him.

Currently it's established that he's trying to be or is an alpha, Gizmo is the alpha of my group currently, i have one beta which is Gyro, and the rest are omegas. Yesterday Gizmo laid down the law that he was indeed the alpha and so Data my newest boy submitted, but 2 of my boys Gyro and Dax are very nervous and hide or cower in the corner during the neutral intros. Hopefully this behavior will improve and the neutral intros will improve over time to when I can move them to play area intros where everyone has marked. Only time will tell. I do plan on making a video recording of the next intro, which would be Intro 4 for us. I hope it goes smoothly and show to ya'll who have more knowledge in this could give me more tips on how I can help improve things.

Data - (Dumbo, black mask, 6months) New boy, Alpha

Gizmo - (Black cape, 5months) Alpha

Gyro - (Dumbo, berkshire, 5months) Beta

Nes - (Dumbo, Beige/White cape, 4 months) Omega

Dax - (Hairless, 3months) Omega/Aggressive
 
I'm sorry to say this...and quite embrassed, sad and feel like a rat owner failure... :sad3: :cry4:

During our last intros, a huge fight that I didn't forsee in time, broke out between Data and my other boy Gyro...resulting in a massive injury to my new boy Data. I rushed him to the hospital not more then an hour ago, and the vet concluded his lung was serverly punctured. They said I could take him home, but he'd suffer and probably pass in the night or the next day, or be merciful and put him down...I never want to see my pets suffer...and I am a bit tramatized by these sudden turn of events...All I could do was agree to laying him to rest, and rush home to make sure my other boy, Gyro, wasn't serverly hurt as well. Luckily he's not, just a little shaken up. I suspect that he was so scared of Data, and Data got too close, that Gyro did the only thing his instincts could muster and that was to defend himself...I just wish it didn't have to end like this...

I'm so sorry everyone, and so sorry to my sweet Data :cry4: I just wanted to give him a nice home...I never wanted him to end his life like this though at so young...The vet tells me I shouldn't blame myself, that this could have happened anywhere with him...I feel like I didn't do intros properly and this being the result to bad ownership on my end...I've made a decision not to adopt anymore or bring anymore rats into my current group anymore. Obviouslythey cannot tolerate others in their colony unless i get them all neutered which I can't afford at the moment...Again I'm so sorry for my Data and so sorry for those of you who tried to assist me in my intros best you could. I'm so sorry! :cry4:

Data

Nov. 15, 2011 - April 22, 2012

Data3.jpg
 
I'm so sorry, for both of you. That must be terrible to go through.

Really though, try not to feel too guilty. It's obvious you only wanted the best, and it sounds like they were extra aggressive. You did the best you could with rushing him to the vet and preventing him from suffering.
 
:( I still feel like I could have prevented this horrible outcome, but thanks for your support everyone
 

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