Can anyone who's had experiance with rats help me please?

January 31, 2010 - 9:09pm — SaritaWolf

I'm sorry this is off topic but I'm getting a bit desperate because no one seems to be answering me.

First off, I should let it be known that I don't really trust any vets in my area because of the way they treated my sister's Guinea Pig. That's why I'm somewhat iffy about taking my rat to the vet right now.

Anyway I've had my rat, Artemis, for about 2 years now and she's always been very healthy and energetic. She's never had ANY health problems. She is a tiny bit overweight, but not extremely so. She's never been with any males.

Well last week she started leaking some blood from her vulva. It only lasted a minute or two, but I was very scared and unsure of what to do. Afterward, she seemed fine though so I guessed it was just a freak occurrence. However, a week later it happened again. And again. She's starting to get slower and more tired, not her normal spazzy self. She used to be the alpha rat in the cage, but now she's just kinda letting the other rat push her around and doesn't really care. This morning I noticed her stomach was hard and seemed kinda bloated. Also she had green poop. |:

So someone please if you have any insight as to what's going on please help me and/or tell me what I can do

I will probably take her to the vet soon, but they're so horrible with small animals I wanna do everything I can before making that decision

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January 31, 2010 - 9:16pm — Fledermaus

Could be an infection of some

Could be an infection of some kind- but if her stomach felt hard it could be a tumor since rats are prone to getting tumors. I would look for a vet that specializes in small animals and take them there.

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January 31, 2010 - 9:16pm — Terabetha

You should REALLY take her to

You should REALLY take her to a vet, if you're unsure about how they'll treat her, go there and watch them as they run the tests. Speak up if they're handling her too roughly, be polite but forceful.

January 31, 2010 - 9:16pm — Zeekii

I'd love to help you, but I

I'd love to help you, but I don't know what seems to be the problem =/
I'm sorry, I hope someone else can help you <3

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January 31, 2010 - 9:17pm — Reyy

Q: I just noticed blood

Q: I just noticed blood coming from the vagina of my one-year old rat for the first time. Do female rats have periods?
A: No, female rats do not menstruate, so if your female rat is bleeding vaginally then something is wrong and you need to get her to a vet. Vaginal bleeding can be a symptom of a uterine tumor, genital mycoplasmosis, a urinary tract infection, a miscarriage, or the beginning of labor. If you can eliminate a miscarriage or labor from this list, and if after antibiotics have been given to rid her of any infection she is still bleeding, then the only treatment left is to have her spayed.

Spaying will eliminate the problem altogether and may extend her life. Be sure to find a competent vet to perform the surgery. It should cost in the neighborhood of $65 to $150 for the entire procedure. Also make sure that your vet gives you post surgical antibiotics to prevent possible infection. Remember, this surgery involves going into the body cavity and should not be decided upon without considering the risks. If she is a young rat, the benefits will probably outweigh the risks, but if she is very old it may be best to let her live out her life in peace. Many females have bled vaginally on and off for over a year before leaving this world.
~~~

I hope this helps. (:

January 31, 2010 - 9:18pm — Aegle

Once they start to act

Once they start to act sluggish it means they are extremely sick. This applies to all small animals. You see they are prey animals so they generally hide the fact that they are sick so when you start to notice their lack of engery they've most likely been sick for sometime.

I'm not exactly sure what is going on with her, mostly because I have guinea pigs not rats. From what I've found it could be a simple urinary tract infection which can be easiely cured with antibiotics. Or it could be fibroid tumors, uterine infections, or kidney tumors. :c

I'd take her to the vet. I hate "small animal" vets also. They general have no clue what they are doing. D8

Good luck hun!

January 31, 2010 - 9:29pm — SaritaWolf

Thanks everyone. I have

Thanks everyone. I have scheduled an appointment for the vet, but I'm still not quite sure about them.

Yes, she does have a small tumor under her leg (I forgot to mention that oops) but I don't think this has much to do with that since it's such a common thing for female rats.

From all the research I've done, and from what I've heard from you guys, it seems like a uterus infection or something of that sort. She's a bit old to be spayed so I don't know what else to do... or if it's worth it to have the vet check her out. D| ARGH THIIIINGSS

February 1, 2010 - 4:17am — Halafax

If you can, try calling

If you can, try calling around to vet clinics to see if there is a vet that specializes in "pocket pets" (rats, guinea pigs, hamsters, etc.) or a vet clinic that has had experience with treating rats. Not only will this help you feel better but it might make the experience less stressful for Artemis. :3 Just read you already scheduled an appointment. I'm observant.

I wish you both luck and hopefully this is something that isn't too serious!

February 1, 2010 - 5:19am — Kaoori

I was going to say everything

I was going to say everything else everyone has.
I've had rats before too- they're amazing animals. Good luck to you.

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February 1, 2010 - 5:37am — shadewoylven

i'm super-glad you scheduled

i'm super-glad you scheduled a vet appointment for her and i really wish you both the best of luck. i've had bad experiences with rats and cancer, so i really do pray that you don't have to go through that.

please let us know how things go . i'm interested, at least. and it's made me excited to know that there are other "rat-mums" in the Forest.

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February 1, 2010 - 6:08am — OokamiAzura

Yeah, I'd like to know what's

Yeah, I'd like to know what's wrong with her as well =(

While I don't own rats (I own a rabbit instead), I absolutely adore them <3

Hope everything goes okay with her...

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February 1, 2010 - 1:34pm — 3

I've read a few comments..

I've read a few comments.. she's likely ill, but I know a couple of websites that may help:

http://ratguide.com/care/

http://floridarat.com/ <- this is a forum I used to frequent. The members there are very experienced and helpful.

Also.. you said she's 2 yrs, right? She might also be getting past her prime.. if you know what I mean..
They're brilliant pets, but they don't last as long as a dog..

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February 2, 2010 - 3:56am — SaritaWolf

I took her to the vet. She

I took her to the vet. She had a giant tumor in her spleen. I had to put her to sleep.

Thank you for your help guys. It means a lot. TEF was the first website I posted this problem on where people actually cared enough to type a response. So thank you all.

February 2, 2010 - 3:56am — Amazon

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. <3

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February 2, 2010 - 3:59am — OokamiAzura

I'm so sorry to hear about

I'm so sorry to hear about this...

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February 2, 2010 - 4:12am — Ookani

I'm sorry to hear about your

I'm sorry to hear about your rat, Sarita. Unfortunately, having owned a few small mammals, I know how delicate they can be sometimes. It's strange how they seem fine, then within a few weeks can slide quite quickly down hill after a certain age. It's a sad fact that your little friend is probably better off not in any possible pain or discomfort now. I'll keep yourself and her in my thoughts.

Have you found her cagemate another friend, or are you going to wait until she passes (hopefully more gently) before getting another pair?

February 2, 2010 - 4:14am — Aegle

I'm so sorry m'dear.

I'm so sorry m'dear. <3

Your very welcome and I just wish I could have been more of a help.
If you need anything ever, know your free to ask.
Rest in Peace Sarita's Rat. :c

February 2, 2010 - 4:22am — Terabetha

My condolences... :C

February 2, 2010 - 4:31am — SaritaWolf

Thanks everyone. It's been a

Thanks everyone. It's been a rough day.

@ Ookani - Yes I actually just bought two new baby dumbos. I feel like maybe I shouldn't have gotten them so soon... just because of my fragile emotions right now lol. But I guess the sooner the better so Diana (Artie's cagemate) won't be so bored.

February 2, 2010 - 4:38am — Ookani

Oh, that's lovely. You named

Oh, that's lovely. You named them Diana and Artemis? Teehee! Perfect.

I found that Empty Cage Syndrome was solved by getting the next one ASAP. Hope Diana takes to them well. What are you naming them?

February 2, 2010 - 4:51am — SaritaWolf

One of them is Paper Clip.

One of them is Paper Clip. I'm not sure about the other one yet. XD Yes, they are helping me transition well. I'm keeping them separated from Diana for about a week though (just to make sure they don't spread anything to each other) so hopefully she'll be fine til then. :/

February 2, 2010 - 4:54am — Ookani

I imagine she'll do just

I imagine she'll do just fine.

Paperclip's a cute name. I suppose Staples is a bad name for the other? =P

The Endless Forest

Can anyone who's had experiance with rats help me please?