jaydestarmapper
Member
My poor girl Zelda just got back from the vets' after having two more mammary tumors removed. I kept her isolated for one day to see how she fared, and when she was perking up and eating again, I put her back with her 4 cagemates. They've lived mostly harmoniously for six months with no issues. She had surgery 3 months ago for tumors, and there were no problems (except the darn things grew back).
But yesterday, we heard terrible screaming, and found Zelda at the bottom of the cage with a huge gash opened between her shoulders and another 2 lacerations near it, about an inch long each. What happened?? I didn't think they were bite wounds, but could find no other reason for them. I took her to work with me today to keep an eye on her. When I got home, I put her back in the big cage. About a half-hour later, she started screaming again, and this time we found Maia attacking her. Maia is the newest addition, about four months ago. She is the most energetic and somewhat aggressive, starting fights with the other younger rats but never with Zelda!
Is it possible that Maia senses Zelda's injuries and is trying to kill her?? Zelda misses her sisters and needs to be with the pack, but I can't have her attacked again! I only have a tiny secondary cage and am hoping I won't have to buy a second big cage and maintain two colonies. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
But yesterday, we heard terrible screaming, and found Zelda at the bottom of the cage with a huge gash opened between her shoulders and another 2 lacerations near it, about an inch long each. What happened?? I didn't think they were bite wounds, but could find no other reason for them. I took her to work with me today to keep an eye on her. When I got home, I put her back in the big cage. About a half-hour later, she started screaming again, and this time we found Maia attacking her. Maia is the newest addition, about four months ago. She is the most energetic and somewhat aggressive, starting fights with the other younger rats but never with Zelda!
Is it possible that Maia senses Zelda's injuries and is trying to kill her?? Zelda misses her sisters and needs to be with the pack, but I can't have her attacked again! I only have a tiny secondary cage and am hoping I won't have to buy a second big cage and maintain two colonies. Any advice is greatly appreciated.