Rosy and Rizzo... same health problem? (RIP)

minnow · Jan 6, 2010

Rizzo is the mother of my recently departed Rosy. Now Rizzo's cool and wasting away, and it's certainly not from a lack of available food. The one other thing I noticed is that Rizzo's eating really slowly, just like Rosy was. Her incisors look normal, and the only odd thing about her behavior so far is that she didn't try to even test bite me today, and she didn't snatch her food with her usual enthusiasm. Am I just overly worried, or is this like mother like daughter here?

Maple · Jan 6, 2010

How old in Rizzo?

minnow · Jan 6, 2010

About 6 months old.

jorats · Jan 6, 2010

Is Rizzo alone in the cage or does she have buddies? Was she very bonded to Rosy? If so, she could be grieving still and very lonely.
I'd offer her baby cereal and ensure if you think she's losing weight. Also, if your gut is telling you something is off, I'd get her to the vet and get a good check up on her.

minnow · Jan 6, 2010

She has buddies (except when I put her in the hospital cage to get a better chance to eat and warm up), lots of them. She doesn't seem to be too impacted from losing Rosy - I introed her (Rosy) to a different cage when I thought the other rats were getting too competitive with her, and Rizzo barely seemed to notice.

I'll see if I can get Rizzo in today with Kiwi... she's a tricky one to examine, but at least we can try. She's feeling well enough to be biting again after a night in the hospital cage.

minnow · Jan 6, 2010

Rosy and Rizzo are back together. The vet felt a probably cancerous growth on/in Rizzo's intestine, and considering that she was starting to do owwie stretches and general 'in pain' posturing, it was the best decision to let her go peacefully.

I'll miss you, Rizz, teeth and all.