SqueakingJellybean
Mission Control -- All is ratness
Back in December, Elsa and Della developed lumps. Elsa's was malignant, aggressive, inoperable, and the vet gave her about a month before internal bleeding started. She went to the Rainbow Bridge on January 21.
Della's lump wasn't immediately apparent. It was much smaller, slower growing, and, when we saw the vet, were told it was likely benign or possibly a fat lump. We got her some Metacam, and have been keeping her comfortable. She's had a scattered few rough days, but they've been increasing. The lump has been growing slowly and steadily.
A day or two ago, I noticed that her vaginal opening was gaping. I figured it might just be that time of the week. Later on, I noticed some dried blood on her tail and Mara's (not unusual, they usually sleep in a ratpile). I couldn't find a source, though-- nobody had wounds and there were no torn nails. I filed it as a "to watch" issue.
About an hour ago, I went to give the girls their evening treats. Della was on the wall of the DCN, so I got a good look at her undercarriage. She was still gaping, but this time there was dried blood on the fur around her genitalia. Not a lot, but enough to show me where the blood on their tails had likely come from. Last time I checked, rats don't menstruate the way humans do, so that's cause for concern.
Mara and Della are little old ladies. They're just shy of a year and nine months. Mara is still pretty vigorous and zoomy, but Della has been slowing down more. She looks older than her sister now. Surgery was not an option, we felt, given how badly the vet visit alone traumatized her. She was so terrified. I suspect it brought back memories of being taken from the hoarding situation that had been their home before they came to us. She and Mara are both champion chewers; any stitches she had would not have lasted.
I think it's time.
It hurts my heart to lose another wee friend so soon after Elsa's passing, but once there's bleeding, that (to my way of thinking) moves out of "keep them comfortable" territory. The bleeding thing doesn't seem to be frequent and is definitely new; there was some very minor spotting on the nest-Kleenex when we changed them on Tuesday night, and the aforementioned tail stains, but that's it so far. She's not coming out onto the bed as often as she used to, and while she's happy to have love when she's feeling social, she's starting to look tired.
Does this sound like it's time for her to take that last trip, or am I overreacting?
Della's lump wasn't immediately apparent. It was much smaller, slower growing, and, when we saw the vet, were told it was likely benign or possibly a fat lump. We got her some Metacam, and have been keeping her comfortable. She's had a scattered few rough days, but they've been increasing. The lump has been growing slowly and steadily.
A day or two ago, I noticed that her vaginal opening was gaping. I figured it might just be that time of the week. Later on, I noticed some dried blood on her tail and Mara's (not unusual, they usually sleep in a ratpile). I couldn't find a source, though-- nobody had wounds and there were no torn nails. I filed it as a "to watch" issue.
About an hour ago, I went to give the girls their evening treats. Della was on the wall of the DCN, so I got a good look at her undercarriage. She was still gaping, but this time there was dried blood on the fur around her genitalia. Not a lot, but enough to show me where the blood on their tails had likely come from. Last time I checked, rats don't menstruate the way humans do, so that's cause for concern.
Mara and Della are little old ladies. They're just shy of a year and nine months. Mara is still pretty vigorous and zoomy, but Della has been slowing down more. She looks older than her sister now. Surgery was not an option, we felt, given how badly the vet visit alone traumatized her. She was so terrified. I suspect it brought back memories of being taken from the hoarding situation that had been their home before they came to us. She and Mara are both champion chewers; any stitches she had would not have lasted.
I think it's time.
It hurts my heart to lose another wee friend so soon after Elsa's passing, but once there's bleeding, that (to my way of thinking) moves out of "keep them comfortable" territory. The bleeding thing doesn't seem to be frequent and is definitely new; there was some very minor spotting on the nest-Kleenex when we changed them on Tuesday night, and the aforementioned tail stains, but that's it so far. She's not coming out onto the bed as often as she used to, and while she's happy to have love when she's feeling social, she's starting to look tired.
Does this sound like it's time for her to take that last trip, or am I overreacting?