henry's_mum
Well-Known Member
awwww, i'm SO sorry...
what a sweet lil man...
((hugs))
what a sweet lil man...
((hugs))
Noodle has cancer...??
- Thread starter sketchi
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sketchi
Well-Known Member
at the vet's, he tried to crawl up my coat sleeve like he usually does. today I wore a different coat with a slightly tighter sleeve, and he couldn't stay there since it hurt with his tumours. )': I wish I'd worn my usual loose coat.
I'm glad with the reassurances that Dr Munn indeed does kind euthanasia. I just need to know I made the right choice. I was almost afraid I'd gone to the wrong Dr Munn, somehow. I can't believe how fast it progressed. I thought I had at least a month, just the day before. and the day before that, I thought he just had a mild infection, easily cleared up with some antibiotics.
before going to the vet's today, I put Noodle back in with the others for a while (I had them separated since Noodle had an over-grooming wound that was still healing). he was doing so poorly all of a sudden, I kind of knew he might not be coming back home. Strider visited him and lied beside him for a short while. then Milky did the same. then they left him alone. he was very very tired, but I think also happy to be back in his familiar cage. when I came back from the vet's, I let them sniff his wrapped body. then I buried Noodle in the backyard, together with my boyfriend. when I went back to pet Strider, he seemed a bit distraught. he kept examining and sniffing my fingers (perhaps just the smell of dirt), as if looking for something. then he crawled back in to the hidey hole Noodle had last slept in (I'd put Noodle's bedding there too), and wouldn't come out. I'm not sure Milky understands, but Strider seems to be taking it a bit hard. I'll have to give him a bit of extra love. I'm sure I'd benefit from his company too. :')
I'm glad with the reassurances that Dr Munn indeed does kind euthanasia. I just need to know I made the right choice. I was almost afraid I'd gone to the wrong Dr Munn, somehow. I can't believe how fast it progressed. I thought I had at least a month, just the day before. and the day before that, I thought he just had a mild infection, easily cleared up with some antibiotics.
before going to the vet's today, I put Noodle back in with the others for a while (I had them separated since Noodle had an over-grooming wound that was still healing). he was doing so poorly all of a sudden, I kind of knew he might not be coming back home. Strider visited him and lied beside him for a short while. then Milky did the same. then they left him alone. he was very very tired, but I think also happy to be back in his familiar cage. when I came back from the vet's, I let them sniff his wrapped body. then I buried Noodle in the backyard, together with my boyfriend. when I went back to pet Strider, he seemed a bit distraught. he kept examining and sniffing my fingers (perhaps just the smell of dirt), as if looking for something. then he crawled back in to the hidey hole Noodle had last slept in (I'd put Noodle's bedding there too), and wouldn't come out. I'm not sure Milky understands, but Strider seems to be taking it a bit hard. I'll have to give him a bit of extra love. I'm sure I'd benefit from his company too. :')
sketchi
Well-Known Member
how do you sleep after losing a pet? :sad-p:
I think subconsciously I feel as if, as long as I don't sleep, this day hasn't been finalized. like maybe if I go do something right now, he'll be back and right as rain. I don't want to accept his death. ):
I think subconsciously I feel as if, as long as I don't sleep, this day hasn't been finalized. like maybe if I go do something right now, he'll be back and right as rain. I don't want to accept his death. ):
Moon
Well-Known Member
You and Strider need to give eachother lots of extra love right now... I'm sorry about Noodle.
How do I sleep after a pet's death? Wine.
How do I sleep after a pet's death? Wine.
mamarat
Well-Known Member
I'm so sorry, Sketchi. RIP sweet Noodle.
sketchi
Well-Known Member
well, somehow I got 4 hours! feel a lot better after sleep, but still so weird to only see Strider and Milky. I think it was Noodle that had all of them bonded together. either that, or Strider and Milky are still getting used to things, because before... I'd always find them sleeping together in one big pile. but this morning, Strider was in the usual hammock and Milky was in a different one. I'm sure they'll be good friends too eventually... but definitely something's off. Strider did not come looking for food from me when I opened the door, he crawled on top of the CN seemingly looking for Noodle (I'd kept Noodle in a smaller cage on top when I had him separated). even when I crinkled the food bag (and Milky came running over), Strider ignored me. I had to call him over for him to take the food. >__< poor guy... lost his best bud. what can I do to ease the transition? Strider was always the independent ratty, he doesn't particularly enjoy cuddles or scritches (only on his terms!). just give him time? ):
lilspaz68
Well-Known Member
I stopped showing bodies to my rats when I noticed this type of reaction. I found that when I didn't show the body, they were quieter but less upset. I am positive they know their friends are dying before they leave with you.
((hugs))
this is your first loss isn't it?
((hugs))
this is your first loss isn't it?
sketchi
Well-Known Member
I would say it is my first loss. ): I've lost other pets before but never one I was this attached to or spent this long with... my parents always gave away my dogs at the ripe old age of 4-5, so I never had beloved pets die on me before. fish and hamsters--can't compare with rats. ): and the one rat I had before this, I'm sad to say I never got to know her, and didn't treat her with the love she deserved; I got her since she was the last rat in the pet store, pretty old, and I'd heard good things about rats. but we never really bonded, mostly because I didn't know we could... Millee was my technical first rat, but Noodle feels like my first rat.
I see... next time I will not show the body. but I'm worried, when one of them dies this time, the other will have no companion. ): I don't think I'm willing to take on a baby rat at this point. I think I need a break from owning rats after they all go. I was thinking about it last night, and I'd prefer to borrow someone else's old man (is that feasible?) until mine passes, or... if that can't work, give away the last one to someone who'd be able to provide him with friends (I'd provide food and vet fees). what do you guys do with your last rat, when you know you don't want more (at least for a while)?
I see... next time I will not show the body. but I'm worried, when one of them dies this time, the other will have no companion. ): I don't think I'm willing to take on a baby rat at this point. I think I need a break from owning rats after they all go. I was thinking about it last night, and I'd prefer to borrow someone else's old man (is that feasible?) until mine passes, or... if that can't work, give away the last one to someone who'd be able to provide him with friends (I'd provide food and vet fees). what do you guys do with your last rat, when you know you don't want more (at least for a while)?
sketchi
Well-Known Member
I hadn't even thought of that, fostering, of course! thanks, at least that's one less worry.
ChrisK
Well-Known Member
I am so sorry sketchi.
Joanne
Well-Known Member
Sorry you lost Noodle so quickly - you didn't really have any chance to come to terms with it.
I lost 4 ratties over the fall, and they get very upset when they lose a member of the family. Two of my rats died while they were in the cage, and everyone was 'off' and depressed for several days. My other two I had out and in my arms when they died, but they could still smell their 'death smell(?)' on my hands and sweater afterwards, and once again were upset. Of course this colony has been together for over 1 1/2 years, so everyone was very close. A newbie probably wouldn't be affected in the same way.
I lost 4 ratties over the fall, and they get very upset when they lose a member of the family. Two of my rats died while they were in the cage, and everyone was 'off' and depressed for several days. My other two I had out and in my arms when they died, but they could still smell their 'death smell(?)' on my hands and sweater afterwards, and once again were upset. Of course this colony has been together for over 1 1/2 years, so everyone was very close. A newbie probably wouldn't be affected in the same way.
sketchi
Well-Known Member
I'm sorry about your losses, it never gets easier does it. ):
well, some good news! I went downstairs to check up on them just now, and they were sleeping together. <3 I do need to get new hammocks though, they've chewed holes through their favorite big one haha. I put my hand in to join their huddle and they both started licking me, bless their hearts.
today I let them out for an extra-long while, and watched them free-roam the house. without Noodle, it's a lot easier to keep track of them. they mostly stay in one area, and are content to explore the same stuff for a while. when Noodle was around, he'd always lead the way into new hard-to-reach corners and dig up carpets and generally cause a ruckus. =__= ...I love my rats.
well, some good news! I went downstairs to check up on them just now, and they were sleeping together. <3 I do need to get new hammocks though, they've chewed holes through their favorite big one haha. I put my hand in to join their huddle and they both started licking me, bless their hearts.
today I let them out for an extra-long while, and watched them free-roam the house. without Noodle, it's a lot easier to keep track of them. they mostly stay in one area, and are content to explore the same stuff for a while. when Noodle was around, he'd always lead the way into new hard-to-reach corners and dig up carpets and generally cause a ruckus. =__= ...I love my rats.
Joanne
Well-Known Member
So glad they decided to start hanging out together! Love those soft little rattie licks 
