RIP Chopin

[adoptaratcanada]

Sadly Chopin was much, much worse today I'm
just back from having him put down. I'm glad to
report that my vet was aware of giving him gas
before the injection.

Wonderful rats, he and his late brother Lennier,
for my first ever rats! Couldn't have asked for
sweeter!! And so damn cute, they were great
spokesrats for my rattie propaganda machine.

RIP Chopin, Dec. 2004-Nov. 2006

Time to have another good cry...

Linda

[pinky]

So sorry for your loss, Linda. RIP sweet Chopin. Don't be afraid to let it all out. And we're here if you need to talk.

[adoptaratcanada]

Thanks, Pinky, you're very kind!

Linda

[Die Fledermaus]

So very sorry. Post some photos, please.

Tell us more about gas before the injection.

Ironic that on this sad day for you I entered the rat world with my two new ones - who still need names.

[Hamsters82]

Aww, I'm so sorry. May little Chopin rest in peace. I hope you're holding up well.

[Andrea]

oh no, I'm so sorry to hear that, what sad news.
He was such a lucky rat to have such a wonderful caring mom.
Big hugs for you during this hard time.
<HUGS>

Rest in peace little one, there's no more feeling sick where you are now.

[adoptaratcanada]

Tell us more about gas before the injection.

I had heard that because rattie blood vessels are so tiny they can't get the usual injections like cats or dogs do (with them, the vet either injects an overdose of anesthetic, or gives them an anesthetic first, then an overdose).

Apparently some vets are still practicing the rather barbaric anesthetic for rats of injecting straight into a major organ, which rat parents who've seen this said is a horrifying and painful process. Enlightened vets will give rattie a dose of gas first to knock them out, then give the needle. For now there's no entirely happy solution, because even my vet informed me that although she gives gas first, the animal may struggle bit due to the lack of oxygen Chopin apparently didn't, which I think reflects his very weakened state.

Normally I prefer to be with my pets when they are put down, and have been for any of my pets who were (I think only a couple died naturally) but I didn't really want to witness any distress on Chopin's part. They just brought him back to me afterward. I realize that that's not for everybody, so you just have to do what feels right.

Linda

[adoptaratcanada]

So very sorry. Post some photos, please.

Thanks, 'maus

Sadly I don't have any really good pictures of the boys (because all my cameras are acting up, and in a city this size I can't find a repair place!!), other than the ones that were on the rescue site when I adopted them. Not sure how to add a photo here, if it's not a URL.

L.

[adoptaratcanada]

I hope you're holding up well.

Thanks, Andrea. I feel so sad about it because I feel I didn't have alot of time with him. He was the less social of the two boys, and when Lennier started ailing at the beginning of the summer, he was getting alot of my time and attention. After Lennier died, Chopin started coming out of his shell and we were having some nice quality time together. It was just too short

Linda

[adoptaratcanada]

Oops, that should have read "Hamsters".

Thank you Andrea, for your kind thoughts...it's really appreciated!! It's helpful to know there are people out there who understand where you're coming from.

L.

[pinky]

I never imagined how "wrecked" I'd be upon losing a hamster. But I always am. And I have been lucky--I've had mine for 3.5-4 years each. It follows that I always knew the end was coming, but that didn't make it any easier.

It helps if the people around you value pets of all types and support you in your loss. Hope that's the case for you, Linda.

[Die Fledermaus]

You would have to really trust your vet to not witness the application of the gas before the injection. I don't have such a vet; in fact, many likely would not let me witness it.

Again, sorry.

BTW, check the Rat forum. There are new developments with my new ones!