Another angel to the Rainbow Bridge

[adoptaratcanada]

Earl Grey really went downhill this weekend. He was to the vet again on Friday and the vet felt a couple tumours where his other one had been (and was removed). She thought there was a something going on in his abdomen, and took an x-ray but there was nothing definitive.

He was a good little boy, tolerating all the poking and (very deep) prodding.

He was in terrible shape this morning, so I took him down first thing (bad morning there, lots of emergencies).

They did an ultra-sound and found LOTS of masses on his liver and spleen. I'd left him with them, and he went downhill while there, and the vet said he really needed to be put down, which we did.

He did his part for rattie propaganda at the vet on Friday. The place was full, and the office had accidentally sent my carrier off with the Rabbit Rescue people. The tech was carrying him around while she got another carrier and handed him to me while she put the towel in. The staff were all cooing over him and he was so mellow and handsome - a real spokesrat. I'm glad he had an audience to see how lovely rats are.

That's all for now.

[Die Fledermaus]

That teared me up. So sorry, of course.

Those DAMNABLE tumors!!

I asked about why rats, far more than other rodents, get tumors, and someone said as they had been bred to get tumors for research? If so, cannot breeding make tumors less likely?

[adoptaratcanada]

I guess that's what responsible breeders are trying to do. I saw a website the listed the criteria of health and behaviour issues, which once displayed in an animal, that animal was no longer bred. I think they kept track of the offspring that were adopted out to see what issues arose in that line.

I'll never win on that front, as I prefer to adopt rescues, myself.

[pinky]

So sorry, Linda. Another sad passing for you. *hugs*

DF, it seems to me that it's easier to breed a characteristic in than to breed it out.

[Die Fledermaus]

But is it possible, and ARE there any rats around that do NOT have that characteristic (who could be bred)?

[Hamsters82]

Aw, Linda I'm so sorry about Earl Grey. May he rest in peace. *hugs*

[adoptaratcanada]

Thanks everyone.

I should add here...that although his organs were full of "masses", at the time of his passing, when he went downhill a few days prior I checked for and found a penis plug. He seemed better the next day (also had a shot of cortisone from the vet, maybe *that* accounted for his rebound), then downhill again teh following day and found another penis plug!! I had no idea they form that quickly. In asking around, I've heard that they can form daily. Who knew They are more a problem in rat who can't (or don't) clean themselves properly.

[Die Fledermaus]

After that last post I can think of dozens of jokes, some of which i can tell here. But not in a Memorial.

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As you read, my Rangi died this morning.

He had loose stools and such, but his three tank mates are fine. Whatever it was it was not contagious. Can anyone explain?