Pain Medication for our rats...?

[smmmiley]

Hi!

I'm a little confused. I'm new to having rats (Oct.) so I've been reading a lot of books, etc... to find out as much as I can about these lovely creatures.

My question is about pain meds. I hear a lot on here about giving them stuff for pain, but in the Debbie Ducommon book, she says that rats don't really feel pain because they have very few pain receptors in their bodies. So, I don't understand why so many seem to give their rats pain medications?

Just curious and wanting to understand more.

Thanks for any and all input!

 

[xxchelle]

Rats definitely feel pain. They show signs like doing owwie stretches, sucking in their sides, pain bruxxes, etc.

After seeing my girl Maya in a lot of pain after a facial abscess burst (she was bruxxing, and her entire body was shaking and she was quietly squeaking), I can't imagine anyone saying they can't feel pain... It was heartbreaking and I couldn't get the pain meds into her fast enough.

I'm not a huge fan of the Debbie Ducommon book after hearing it has a section on home euthanasia.

Edit: I should add that rats are very good at hiding their pain, however. Due to them being a prey animal, they have evolved to become very stoic when they are injured.

 

[Scythe]

Like already said, Rats definitely feel pain. If you pinched the edge of their tail, ear, finger, etc, would they squeak? What do you think that squeak is? Probably not shock! Same if I pinched you; it'd kinda hurt! (Not that I'm saying I pinch my boys or you should pinch yours... >_<)

Every rat shows pain in different ways, from not eating, to changing their posture, etc. Once you know your rats very well, it's easy to see that somethings 'not right' and that they are in pain.

 

[jorats]

Rats feel pain when it comes to sprains and pinches but not when it comes to cuts and gashes, they don't feel it as much.
I almost never give pain meds unless I know they need it. Pain meds can be hard on the liver, will thin out the blood, and also will mask too much pain. Sometimes it's good for the rat to feel some pain so he doesn't use his sprained limb too much.

 

[smmmiley]

Rats feel pain when it comes to sprains and pinches but not when it comes to cuts and gashes, they don't feel it as much.
I almost never give pain meds unless I know they need it. Pain meds can be hard on the liver, will thin out the blood, and also will mask too much pain. Sometimes it's good for the rat to feel some pain so he doesn't use his sprained limb too much.

Thank you, Jorats! I figured there must be a difference in how they feel pain depending on the situation.
I am looking for as much information as possible. I love The Rat Shack. I am constantly reading people's experiences, and I take a little bit from each one and apply bits and pieces to our little family as needed.

I do watch them all the time, and try to figure them out. They fascinate me more every day. The two girls that got in a squabble last week definitely knew something was wrong, but it was more like they were mildly irritated. They didn't lose their appetite at all. And, it was shocking to see Miss Elliott rip her cut open even more, like it was just an irritation she wanted to go away. If she felt that like we do, she definitely wouldn't have kept going at it! Yikes! The girls went back in the cage, the other 3 took care of them, they ate and got back to their normal selves fairly quickly. Clearly, hubby and I were more concerned than they were! :roll: :lol:

 

[smmmiley]

I'm not a huge fan of the Debbie Ducommon book after hearing it has a section on home euthanasia.

I understand that this is something you feel very strongly about~obviously a touchy subject for you. I respect that.

I don't think we can agree 100% with what anyone says because we are all such individuals. I've done lots of searching, researching, etc... Pretty sure Debbie is a good resource. Very thorough with years of knowledge to guide her.