RockyGurly
Well-Known Member
I really trust my vet, she's amazing with my reptiles and she knows her stuff about rats. Even when she was on vacation she helped walk me through the process. I could bring her back, or, I dunno, bring her somewhere out of province to find another vet I trust. But I just can't afford any fancy treatments right now, at the moment I'm waiting for my next paycheck to buy more food for them and myself, so I'm kind of at my wits end. Mattiee doesn't seem to be in pain, but she's very slow, she spends most of her time sleeping and she's eating less and less. The babies will be five weeks old in a couple days, by then they'll be separated. They're already weaned, or at least I haven't seen them nurse once in the past week, and she started refusing to nurse them fairly early
I'll try to get pics up tomorrow after school, a couple of them just feel like they have hard bellies but they aren't sticking out too much, the others are very round and hard and they don't like their bellies touched. I'll see what I can whip up for them with the leftover formula I have left. Would other soft foods like banana and yam be a good idea?
As for euthanizing, I really don't know what to do, I'm at my wits end. The only option anyone is giving me without calling me horrible things is bringing them to the vet, which I could do if we all starved for the next month. I might have to bring them to my shelter anyways, or at least talk to them about their methods. I know my local pet store has very high standards for their feeders, I believe she called her thing a CO2 chamber? But if that would be more humane, she said she would help me if the shelter won't. Even if it's not perfect, or "the best" method, it's a way out for what would otherwise be a very slow and painful death, right?
I want this to be easy on the babies, but I need an idea that's a little more within my capabilities. I've spent every dime I have on these guys in the past month. And some people will point their fingers at me for taking on more than I could handle, but even though what I have for them isn't perfect, it's a far cry from where they were before. Where Mattiee would be pregnant again in the same cage as her daughter and her babies and the two older males, being fed cat food. I mean, at least Mattiee will be able to rest comfortably in a couple days when I get my hands on that cage. Everyone will be moved to the critter nation, and once Mae's babies are weaned her and Mae can be together in the smaller cage until Mattiee passes and Mae finds a new home. She'll be fed, she'll be comfy, she'll be warm and loved, and Mae, who she always goes to to cuddle and groom will be with her.. surely that counts for something?
And are you sure rats can't get the needle? I brought in my little brother with his sick hamster a few years ago, and the vet recommended euthanasia. The hamster passed away while she was out of the room and she returned with a needle. Unless this is just because she was a dog and cat vet?
I'm probably being snippy so I apologize, I'm just so tired and stretched so thin right now with this, I just want it to be over, with the babies in proper homes and my cage set up. At least next week I can start sleeping properly
I'll try to get pics up tomorrow after school, a couple of them just feel like they have hard bellies but they aren't sticking out too much, the others are very round and hard and they don't like their bellies touched. I'll see what I can whip up for them with the leftover formula I have left. Would other soft foods like banana and yam be a good idea?
As for euthanizing, I really don't know what to do, I'm at my wits end. The only option anyone is giving me without calling me horrible things is bringing them to the vet, which I could do if we all starved for the next month. I might have to bring them to my shelter anyways, or at least talk to them about their methods. I know my local pet store has very high standards for their feeders, I believe she called her thing a CO2 chamber? But if that would be more humane, she said she would help me if the shelter won't. Even if it's not perfect, or "the best" method, it's a way out for what would otherwise be a very slow and painful death, right?
I want this to be easy on the babies, but I need an idea that's a little more within my capabilities. I've spent every dime I have on these guys in the past month. And some people will point their fingers at me for taking on more than I could handle, but even though what I have for them isn't perfect, it's a far cry from where they were before. Where Mattiee would be pregnant again in the same cage as her daughter and her babies and the two older males, being fed cat food. I mean, at least Mattiee will be able to rest comfortably in a couple days when I get my hands on that cage. Everyone will be moved to the critter nation, and once Mae's babies are weaned her and Mae can be together in the smaller cage until Mattiee passes and Mae finds a new home. She'll be fed, she'll be comfy, she'll be warm and loved, and Mae, who she always goes to to cuddle and groom will be with her.. surely that counts for something?
And are you sure rats can't get the needle? I brought in my little brother with his sick hamster a few years ago, and the vet recommended euthanasia. The hamster passed away while she was out of the room and she returned with a needle. Unless this is just because she was a dog and cat vet?
I'm probably being snippy so I apologize, I'm just so tired and stretched so thin right now with this, I just want it to be over, with the babies in proper homes and my cage set up. At least next week I can start sleeping properly
I got home too late today to get a hold of my vet so I'll try again in the morning before school. I did call the SPCA, just to see what they'd say, and the girl told me not to bring them there, so that's kind of a red flag. 
