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Post by adoptaratcanada on Dec 12, 2009 2:15:23 GMT -4
(since alot of have given our rats baby food at one time or another...) I wasn't sure where to put this...heard it on the news, not sure if other rodents are given baby food... "A baby food recall is underway as a popular Heinz baby cereal may contain elevated levels of a mycotoxin..." www.lfpress.com/news/canada/2009/12/11/12121016-qmi.html
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Post by adoptaratcanada on Dec 1, 2009 1:27:18 GMT -4
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.
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Post by adoptaratcanada on Nov 30, 2009 23:15:07 GMT -4
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.
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Post by adoptaratcanada on Oct 31, 2009 21:42:19 GMT -4
They don't seem that interested in actually running candidates as they are in exerting influence. >> The party was formed as a result of laws restricting political advocacy by “third parties” (i.e., organizations that are not registered by Elections Canada as political parties) during election campaigns. AAVE intends to use its status as a political party to circumvent that restriction by running a sole candidate, thus allowing it to promote its views during election periods. << This is true. However, if no one third party can promote an issue via another party's candidate, this way at least they can make animal rights a more prominent issue during elections.
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Post by adoptaratcanada on Oct 31, 2009 20:12:37 GMT -4
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Post by adoptaratcanada on Oct 17, 2009 9:37:03 GMT -4
Thanks for the post, Dezzi!
I'm just getting ready for work, so will reply in a while if I have time, otherwise when I get back!
PS: Yes, Dr. Upjohn is my new rat vet. However he's been out of town for weeks! I'm just happy to have a clinic that has good hours and OTHER vets who can see the rats when he's not around.
I'm curious about the other vet, as I thought SARS dealt with ERAH. I thought I'd read that LMR dealt mainly with Westview for rats.
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Post by adoptaratcanada on Oct 16, 2009 0:11:46 GMT -4
I should clarify..I *can* think of the good I did and I grasp/acknowledge it, but it's not a strong enough feeling to overshadow the sad feelings. It doesn't make me happy or feel better while they're sick or after they die. But yes, I'm glad they have a life with me.
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Post by adoptaratcanada on Oct 15, 2009 22:22:38 GMT -4
How do you compare that to losing relatives? Can't you focus on the good you did and the good times you had, and on the needy cat about to be put down you can save? Errr, nope! That's why it's so hard for me. I do feel some guilt over thinking I can't do this any more because I do know there are blameless animals that need a good home. If I can find a *healthy* way to cope I'll continue. Right now it's just very, very hard on me. And tends to consume my thoughts. Yup, I think I need a shrink! Sometimes when things are very bad, I think, "maybe I'll die before he/she does, and all my worry will have been in vain." Probably not the most healthy way to deal with it. Also, I just cannot think of my boycat who died in January. I feel that's wrong. That makes it as thought he never existed. It doesn't honour him, I know that. As for comparing it to relatives, that's a good question. The devastation I felt over that cat is right up there to having lost both parents. In fact, ALL the extended family I grew up with are gone, and I realize that's set me up badly for emotional hypersensitivity.
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Post by adoptaratcanada on Oct 15, 2009 22:13:41 GMT -4
I know how you feel Linda. When Chewie died I couldn't take it anymore; I couldn't take giving my heart to an animal that only lived two years, that's why I went for a dog next. It's ultimately up to you, but I think we would all understand why you would do it. And don't let anyone make you feel bad if you decide not to have more rats. Is there anyone you can talk to, to help you feel better about some of the rats you lost? Perhaps you could get another animal that lasted longer (just a suggestion). Yes, I've always had cats and dogs. It's just a matter of time before the other shoe drops, as all of them are getting on. Besides hypothyroidism and high blood pressure, the cat is now running into kidney issues. It's her brother that died of kidney failure at the beginning of the year (and that's been a terrible blow to deal with...still. ) The vet hinted at sub-Q fluids down the lline and I'm not sure I can handle that again...it was a very difficult procedure with her brother. This year basically sucked, pet-wise.
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Post by adoptaratcanada on Oct 15, 2009 22:09:07 GMT -4
I'll admit I saw a shrink when I was too sensitive. Now there are times when I SHOULD be sad and I can't. I know how tough it is when our pets get sick. I can't handle needles and I always feared a day I'd have to deal with them. Thankfully I've usually had people around who are good with them and my vet is only a 10 minute drive away. (And less if it was at night with no traffic) It's up to you whether or not you get rats. A way to "get tougher" could be doing fosters. I know it can be super difficult because they are in your home and are your babies and then you have to give them up, but the more you do it, the easier it becomes. And most fosters keep in contact with the adoptive families, so you can always be sure they're okay. Something to consider, as you are an awesome rat owner and there are a lot of abandoned rats out there. Awww, thanks, Dezzi! I'm not sure fostering is for me. I become very maternal and territorial over my pets, so I'm not sure I'd be a good candidate for handing them over to someone else! I realize you might not want to answer publicly, but may I ask what sort of counselling you got? Talk therapy, hypnosis, etc? I've wondered about hypnosis. If you prefer and are so inclined, please PM me. I forgot if this has come up before (was it you who used to be on The Island?)....you're in the same town as me!! I remember there being someone else on this board who had pets from SARS.
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Post by adoptaratcanada on Oct 15, 2009 22:03:58 GMT -4
Hi everyone! I wanted to finally come back and THANK YOU for your VERY kind and thoughtful responses. I really appreciate it, REALLY. After I decided these will be my last rats (but never say never), I kind of dropped off the edge of the internet, and especially any rat groups I'm on.
The ongoing health issues have left me despondent, and I'll address those in a different thread.
Onto the replies here....
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Post by adoptaratcanada on Sept 17, 2009 0:18:37 GMT -4
Hmm I checked other threads and can't find an answer (maybe I'm blind?) but what is this "Suebee's Mix" that everyone's talking about? It's a homemade dry mix/rat diet: Recipe: www.ratsrule.com/diet.html
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Post by adoptaratcanada on Sept 16, 2009 0:17:50 GMT -4
I continue my sidetrack from the other thread. Let me warn anyone that I'm just super-sensitive, and that THAT'S the trouble. The rats are wonderful. They are surprisingly susceptible to ailments. If I were tough, their ailments would be tolerable. Alot of people I know have and lose rats and they get over it. During their sick times I'm eating by angst and when I lose them, I'm a wreck. That just reminded me...when I was teaching piano lessons I arrived at a home where the mom said the little girl would be down shortly and the brother would go first. She said their hamster died earlier. I told them if she was upset we could reschedule and the mom waved her hand and said, "oh nooo! " I told her if it were my hamster, I'd be an emotional mess! The kid came down seemingly not bothered. Apparently even some 7 years olds are tougher than I am. >> I would never EVER give them up, but in the future I'll avoid rash head-over-heels decisions. << And when you see a truly needy pair of young rats looking at you wondering if you'll save therm from the damn snakes? Firstly, I NEVER look. And assuming I did, or made a visit to the rescue site...quite honestly, DF, I don't think I'm strong enough any more. I'm the type who feels everything very deeply, and for a long time. I"m probably too sensitive to survive being a rat mom. I still can't think of my cat who died at the beginning of the year - that was a soul-shattering blow. I probably should see a shrink. That said, if shrink could help me be made of tougher stuff, I'll consider it. Trust me, the notion that these will be my last rats has given me alot of sadness and alot of crying sessions. They are so marvelous, and the good times are heaven, but there's too much anxiety and sadness...for me. I'll never say never.
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Post by adoptaratcanada on Sept 16, 2009 0:09:51 GMT -4
Update: still giving the treatments. It's hard to gauge how the healing is coming. The vet described how a deep tissue wound like this will heal, so I'm hoping we're on track. It's not gross or infected, but still "fleshy" looking. EG keeps trying to play with it, unfortunately more so with the treatments applied. I took him off for a few days and I felt maybe it was a tad more inflamed looking so I put him back on. It's impossible to feel the lump underneath now, because of the shape of the wound and the scar tissue. The vet wanted to wait for it to heal alot before considering surgery for the lump.
It's just a holding pattern for now.
Unfortunately because it could have been Thor trying to remove the original lump from EG, they are in separate cages now. Definitely he would go after it now during a grooming. I put them together during feeding (so they are distracted from each other) and when I can keep an eagle-eye on them.
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Post by adoptaratcanada on Sept 16, 2009 0:02:22 GMT -4
>> I would never EVER give them up, but in the future I'll avoid rash head-over-heels decisions. << And when you see a truly needy pair of young rats looking at you wondering if you'll save therm from the damn snakes? Moving this to another thread so I don't stray too far from the topic at hand!
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