Possible pregnancy and weight

[minnow]

My rattie Samantha is showing many signs of pregnancy, from slight restlessness to lack of estrous (I've been checking) to becoming decidedly pear-shaped, but now I'm getting worried that there might be something wrong. Sam's behaving normally, alternating between sleeping, eating, and being utterly hyper... but by my calculations, she has to be overdue. I brought her home exactly three weeks ago now, and she's been living alone in that time. Added to that, her weight has gone from a steady climb of six grams a day to a loss (!!) of two grams in the past two days, despite having unlimited lab blocks and lots of high-protein treats. There's no sign of blood in her cage, and she's not showing any signs of being in pain.

Any clues as to what might be happening here?

 

[jorats]

Hi minnow,

Your girl may not be pregnant. Usually the weight gain at the end is very dramatic, not just a couple of grams. But her getting bigger could be due to all the great food you are feeding her. Her loss is her settling to a routine.

 

[lilspaz68]

The last week is an average of 10 grams minimum gain a day, so 6 grams isn't much. Its very possible its the good food as Jo says. If she had a higher weight gain and then started losing I would say she is possibly reabsorbing the litter.

How old is she anyways? Some rats are very quiet about their heats and won't exhibit behavioral signs.

 

[minnow]

Sam was starting to look and 'feel' (in the firm rounded tummy not squishy fat way) pregnant before I started offering the high-protein treats 'just in case'. My bad for not doing so anyway with a growing girl, but I was distracted with Toby's teeth issues. I know she hasn't been in estrous for the past week because I've actually been doing a quick genital exam every time I take her out for play/cuddle time.

My estimate to her age is about... 11-12 weeks now. Poor thing's still a baby so I think I'd be happier with the idea of her never being pregnant, but I know she was kept together with males previously and barring fertility issues the (approximately) two-week period between her turning six weeks old and coming home with me is plenty of time to get pregnant.

Should I try to get her in to the vet in the morning to know for sure what's going on? Just keep an eye on her to avoid stressing her furry butt out?

I so need a better source for my ratties...

 

[user 78]

If she's acting fine - nice and active, eating and drinking well, just a happy rat - then I would just continue to monitor her. I'm with the others on the weight gain. Sounds like it was the good food, especially those nice treats, that caused the gain. She's a growing girl, so she'll be packing on the weight anyhow.

 

[minnow]

Thank you thank you all. I was really getting worried for a while there. I'll keep an eye on her furry little butt and get started on hardware clothing, fleecing, and cat-proofing* Toby's cage, as Sam's quarantine is nearly over.

*When I woke up this morning, the bottom cage door was wide open. I think I nearly had a heart attack until I realized that Toby was just fine, napping in his wheel.