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Post by Kain on Jan 10, 2004 13:00:12 GMT -4
it saddens me to bring bad news.
Sometime overnight Homer has had a stroke, his right hand side has been badly damaged. I took him to the vets this morning who told me Homer doesn't have long to live, he would be surprised if he is still here tomorrow. The vet said Homer is in no pain so we elected to bring him home so he can pass away with his best friend by his side.
Bart knows there's something wrong, he keeps nudging Homer with his nose, I am worried for him on how this will affect him, Of coarse I will get him a mate when Homer passes on, Bart and Homer are both only 10 months old.
Are strokes common in rats? and what causes them? The vet wasn't much help as he usually deals with cats and dogs.
kane
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Post by Die Fledermaus on Jan 10, 2004 20:13:25 GMT -4
I only know that rats live slightly shorter lives than even hamsters, and are slightly more prone to cancer. All that has been one reason of several why I haven't got any yet. So sorry. Hope he goes peacefully.  Any rodent vets around you? The nearest one to me is 2 1/2 miles north of me. Which means a car service for visits; no housecalls! Oh, I found out about him from the emergency vet (who was OK with hamsters) I took Princess to last March. So ask around. |
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Post by adara on Jan 10, 2004 21:18:25 GMT -4
Rats can live 3-4 years, but unfortunately bad breeding makes for some poorly rats 10 months is *very* young for a rat to be having a stroke, usually it is older rats that suffer from it. It's not unheard of that they can recover from them, and as yours is so young he may well have a fighting chance. My advice to you would be to keep him in a smallish "hospital" tank/cage with no levels and alone for the time being so he can get some rest and doesn't risk hurting himself. Be sure to keep him warm, ensure he is drinking, perhaps put a slice of juicy apple in [or if he likes any other juicy fruit]. Some soy milk probably wouldn't go amiss either to keep his strength up. I think the most important thing is to keep him warm and hydrated and see how it goes. I have my fingers crossed for you. |
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Post by dosergirl on Jan 10, 2004 21:42:48 GMT -4
i posted your story on a very informative rat forum i frequent, and here is a response i got from them.
in older rats, strokes are fairly common, but for a rat 10 months of age, it is not as common. Stroke is the third most common cause of illness and death in rats (the first being respiratory disease, and the second being mammary tumors). A stroke is not painful, and rats often recover from even massive strokes. are you sure that it was in fact a stroke that the rat suffered from?
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Post by Die Fledermaus on Jan 11, 2004 1:31:00 GMT -4
Rats can live 3-4 years, but unfortunately bad breeding makes for some poorly rats. . . I know I read more than once that rats liove about two years, but I assume those were poorly bred rats. I think Kane once said he had a hamster who lived five years! Correct me on that, Kane, if I'm wrong. |
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Post by Kain on Jan 11, 2004 7:28:50 GMT -4
Tom, your almost right, Snuffy was 7 years and 2 months when he died.
Kane
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Post by Die Fledermaus on Jan 11, 2004 16:51:18 GMT -4
I thought I remembered a seven year old, but I wasn't 100% sure.
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Post by jeannie on Jan 12, 2004 12:23:59 GMT -4
7 years old? That's amazing!
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Post by adara on Jan 12, 2004 13:51:59 GMT -4
I don't want to pee on your fire, but being the cynic I am, I can't help wondering if you maybe left that hammy in the care of someone perhaps while on holiday or something, it might have died and they got a new one and didn't tell you... I know people that have actually done this >  Or I could just be a big cynic and I'll go sit in the corner and shut up  |
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