A
She is pregnant and will give birth soon
How old is she?
Hopefully she will have a small litter and her labour will go ok.
Things usually go ok but in case something goes wrong you will want to make sure you have a good rat vet with the knowledge and experience to treat rats and see if you can find a rat that will be giving birth around the same time
The breeder is not a good breeder, because this would not have happened with a good breeder.
Actually I don't know of any breeders in North America that are good breeders
Please see the Reference Thread to links re pregnancy and birth https://www.ratshackforum.com/threads/reference-thread-read-only.35894/
The breeder did end up returning my email and she said that it is absolutely impossible for her to be pregnant as she hasn't had any contact with male rats in many months. She told me she's either fat or could possibly have an abdominal tumor which she just now told me runs in her family. I honestly don't know what to believe and I'm really anxious about this whole situation. Neither outcome is good here. I made a vet appointment for next week (I was going to anyways because of minor respitory issues) but if she is really pregnant she will probably have given birth by then.If she's pregnant, and it sure looks like it - Definitely NOT a good breeder!
Accidents can happen even with the best pet parents, but she'd have to know the girls got near boys, so should have waited 6 wks before adopting out or notified you there was a possibility. Accidents are forgiveable, underhandedly subjecting a new parent to a pregnancy is NOT. Her not emailing you back is unforgiveable.
If she's pregnant you don't get to blow it off - and don't let the breeder either.
First - you'll need to decide if you're up for keeping mom & babies for 6 wks. You might want to return mom to the breeder before she has babies.
If you keep mom and she has babies, mom & her sister should have Frequent outings together.
2nd - If you keep mom you'll need a separate cage for sister now . I'd expect the breeder to lend one!
3rd - mom has to deliver safely, you have to have a vet & money available if she has problems.
4th - you have to be willing to look after the babies for 6 wks.
Then - You'll have to decide to give the breeder all the babies to rehome - OR - You might want to keep some - OR - rehome all or some yourself. Boys can only be with mom for 5 wks.
There's a helluva lot for you to consider. #1 That breeder should Never have put this on you, especially as you're a first-time ratparent #2 She should have answered your email right away to do all she can to help.
If your girl is pregnant that breeder better give you your money back and help you with anything else you choose to do about it. Or I think some of us would want to know her name to protect others from your current stress about a girl you love & future troubles.
Did she become huge in the last week?
Mammary tumours grow fast but that is not a mammary tumour (unsprayed girls have more then a 85% chance of developing mammary tumours)/.
Other tumours do not normally grow that fast
Can you get her into the vet now?
If she is not pregnant, then this is an emergency situation!
Does she have any discharge? can you smell infection/pus?
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