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Rodent chat - Hmm

Kiri - Sun Apr 27, 2008 7:12 pm
Post subject: Hmm

Well i went into work this morning to find a rather damp cardboard box on the doorstep. It had no label on it and a few air holes on the top. I knew there was going to be something in it, as someone had dumped a family of rabbits on the door step a few weeks before. Anyway on opening the box i find two rats. One heavily pregnant and one very skinny. Neadless to say i wasnt happy. I dont know why people have to discard of their animals Sad

Anyways i rang my boss and told him what i had found and he said he was sorry but he couldnt look after them as he had know room and do phone the RSPCA. Now ive heard stories about our rspca and didnt feel comfortable leaving them in their hands so i took them home. They are ever so lovely and friendly and very affectionate. They are both eating and drinking fine and have had a great time explorinng. The pregnant female has rather sore eyes tho so i will be taking them both to the vets in the week.
Do you think ive done the right thing by taking them in?
I really dont see why people have to dump their animals. The rabbits that were left a few weeks ago were in a terrible state. They were lionhead cross neatherland dwarfs and were in a terrible state. Three of the babies died that morning and so did one of the adults. The other female was taken to the rspca.
Sorry to moan but i feel very stongly about this and people shouldnt have animals if they are not prepared to look after them Sad

jabbro - Sun Apr 27, 2008 8:15 pm
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I think you can only do what you feel is right at the time.....and depending on your circumstances too. But I think it's great that you have taken them in. But what will you do when the babies come along?

clareabella - Sun Apr 27, 2008 9:08 pm
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As Jabbro said, it's great that you have taken them in Very Happy

I think i would of done the same aswell to be honest. I agree completley with what you say, if people can no longer looker after thier pets then there are plenty of organisations around that will take them in. People who just dump thier animals

me to be honest. Mad

oracle - Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:30 am
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welldone for taking them in hope all goes well
NO ONE SHOULD NEED TO DUMP THERE PETS THERE SUPPOSED TO BE FOR LIFE . AND IF THEY CANT LOOK AFTER THEM THERE ARE PLENTY OF RESCUE CENTRES AROUND THAT WILL TAKE THEM ON AND FIND THEM NEW HOMES.
what will you do when the babys are born hope everything goes well and please keep us posted caz

Kiri - Tue Apr 29, 2008 9:59 am
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Thanks guys
both rats are doing fine and have settled in well. i dont know what ill do with babies come, I know id be tempted to keep them lol. Looks like she could be ready to give birth any day now. Ill take some pictures soon Very Happy

poppydog83 - Tue Apr 29, 2008 3:20 pm
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id love to take some in myself lol but unfortunately i have enough on my plate at the minute with the 7 animals i have. And in all honesty bringing some more in to the house hold A) wouldnt be good as the landlord doesnt know about the recent additions to the house hold and i think would go mad if i added more animals to my ever growing family B) i srtuggle someimes to devote enough time to all of my animals as it is,and i think it would be unfair to them and the others i have and finally C) even though id spend anything on making my animals happy,i just about have enough to cover my currents familys needs

Twig - Sat May 03, 2008 8:05 am
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Just to ppre-warn you rats can have over 20 babies, however, seeing as shes so malnourished she is really going to struggle.What cage have you them in? Feed mum loads and loads of protein foods- hard boiled egg, cooked chicken, porridge, cooked rice, cooked unsmoked fish as she really is going to need it. Also get down to your local petshop pronto and see if they have any Lactol puppymilk, this can be fed with bread and oats soaked in it and the skinny rat can have some too, poor thing! Just make sure no babies can drown in whatever you serve it in, preferably soak it in bread and oats for her.

What else are you feeding them? What sex is the other rat, if its male, he'll have to be removed from her as she'll only get pregnant again as soon as shes given birth.

Give mum loads of unscented loo roll to make a nest and research, research, research as with some rodents you can't handle the babies for a few weeks or mum will kill and eat them! Shocked

Please join www.fancy-rats.co.uk and give them as much info about mums current state as possible, as I fear under her pregnant bump she is too thin to cope with a litter too and you may need a LOT of advice and even foster mums if mum abandons them.

Kiri - Mon May 05, 2008 11:54 am
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Cheers for the advice.
Both the rats are female and get on very well. They have both had the foods you have recommended such as chicken and boiled eggs, both of them have really perked up enormously. She still hasnt had her babies but she has built a massive cosy looking nest. I have also joined the fancy rats forums and have been given loads of brilliant advice. Fingers crossed everything goes well when she has her little ones.
Thanks again, will keep you all updated.

Twig - Mon May 05, 2008 3:40 pm
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I've got my fingers crossed for her too! Really hope the wee darling is okay! Very Happy

Kiri - Sun May 18, 2008 4:25 pm
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hi all,
after a while i began to notice the 'pregnant' rat hadnt had babies and she was getting bigger and bigger. After taking her to the vets we found out she wasnt pregnant but had developed a huge tumour and she had to be put to sleep Sad

There was nothing else that could be done for her. Sad