|
Post by adoptaratcanada on Oct 17, 2006 11:33:44 GMT -4
ROFLMAO!!! ;D
|
|
|
Post by adoptaratcanada on Oct 17, 2006 0:54:23 GMT -4
I never look at the poor honnies at pet stores. I'm not sure what possessed me to work on the rescue listing. It actually never occurred to me that I'd be looking at little ones that would break my heart without ever having known them! But when I saw this boy and a name for him popped into my head without even thinking about it, I was on the slippery slope! Ok I guess I have to get out of the geek closet and confess to being a Trekkie ;D This boy just HAD to be called "Locutus"! i38.photobucket.com/albums/e105/sarsrats/October%202006/Locutus.jpgAnd it seemed only fitting that his pal who will come with him be given a Borg name, too *lol* "Hugh" i38.photobucket.com/albums/e105/sarsrats/October%202006/Hugh.jpg
|
|
|
Post by adoptaratcanada on Oct 15, 2006 22:05:22 GMT -4
Well....I CAVED!!! I decided to adopt the 2 boys I've been eyeing on the site.
I have to sort out the cage situation, and will get them this week!
Linda
|
|
|
Post by adoptaratcanada on Oct 15, 2006 15:05:43 GMT -4
No, I hadn't, thanks Andrea. He's 2 in December, he's old boy. My feeling is it's that "hind-end weakness" which I hope doesn't necessarily develop into that "hind end paralysis" Oh don't mention the rats for adoption!! *lol* I keep tabs on the SARS site so I know who to add to the ARC site that I admin. I've been talking to Simone about 2 on there...I've seen so many cuties come and go while I've been working on the site!! I've resisted the tempation, but I think I'm caving ;D Linda
|
|
|
Post by adoptaratcanada on Oct 15, 2006 12:28:42 GMT -4
Thanks, Pinky honey! I was really worried about Chopin being so sleepy yesterday. He finally perked up around 10:30pm. I'm not sure what was going on there with him Friday night. However, now that he's more active again, I have to wonder about that hind-end weakness...it's so subtle, that I'm not sure if *that* aspect of his bad spell is something that has been going on longer. Unless you knew to look for it, you might not notice...and *I* may not have noticed except for him being SO out of it Friday. Thanks again, Linda
|
|
|
Post by adoptaratcanada on Oct 14, 2006 23:00:45 GMT -4
Oh boy that is so true, Andrea!! He was doing well this morning, but I think the trip stressed him out as he's been sleeping all day (it's now 7:30 pm) When he woke up briefly a little while ago he was up and down the cage no problem and had something to eat. However he's back to sleep now. I *hope* it's just the stress! :/ O, Winged One, he actually LOVES the music of Chopin -- that's how he got his name When I first got him and his brother, he would always go to the upper level of the cage which put him right next to the radio whenever Chopin was played! *lol* My own polonaise playing days are long over...but I *do* entertain Polish people...does that count??! Linda
|
|
|
Post by adoptaratcanada on Oct 14, 2006 17:16:46 GMT -4
Thank you hamwolf!
He was much better first thing, and seemed to improve as the morning went on. Took him to the vet, just to be safe.
The vet can't find anything wrong with my honey, thank goodness. She says both his back legs are working equally well, there *may* a bit of weakness in them, but there are no immediately obvious reasons why (I'll assume hind-end issues).
Otherwise she says he's doing very well health-wise.
Since he's so much better today I wonder if he just strained something when he slipped from the shelf, even though it wasn't far (at most a couple of inches), but he did land somewhat ungracefully.
Linda
|
|
|
Post by adoptaratcanada on Oct 14, 2006 1:41:05 GMT -4
He seems rather listless tonight...not moving around much. He's been eating alright and grooming in his nestbox. However early I noticed he hopped from one shelf to the next but lost his footing -- not sure if it's because he slipped on the piece of paper towel he was carrying, or because that's where he often eats and leaves crumbs, or because he just couldn't make the jump I had him in his playground cage and normally he'll climb the bars toward me when I go to take him out but not this time. I'm not sure if it's my imagination that he's ever so slightly dragging a back foot...sometimes. I'm not sure what to do other than watch him. Gosh I get sick with worry over ratties! Linda
|
|
|
Post by adoptaratcanada on Oct 12, 2006 21:57:11 GMT -4
We don't get alot of flies here, maybe because we're so close to the ocean (?) In the developed areas mosquitoes a relatively minor niusance...unless you're ME!!! Apparently I'm the flavour of choice! If your'e in the woods in the summer it's another story...lots of mosquitoes. However, this summer, no mosquitoes, no wasps or hornets....the only upside of the brutally hot summer. Linda
|
|
|
Post by adoptaratcanada on Oct 12, 2006 19:40:18 GMT -4
Please let it be so!!!
Well, it used to rain pretty much non-stop from October to April. Ah, how I miss the good old days! Hence the nickname "rain capitol of Canada". Hasn't been like that in several years now. I'm outdoors alot and I can count on one hand the number of times over the last year and half that I needed an umbrella. In fact, I use an umbrella more these days to keep the sun off me, rather than the rain --seriously!
Linda
|
|
|
Post by adoptaratcanada on Oct 10, 2006 19:31:30 GMT -4
I understand they should be kept between 65-75F. They are better off cooler than warmer. The room rarely drops below 65 (so far), but I was surprised it was even THAT cool. I've put a ceramic heater in there and it warms up very quickly if I pop it on for a few minutes. I have to go kick it over and see if it turns off I'm really not looking forward to my electrical bill's annual adjustment!! I bought an a/c this year and had it on ALOT. I'm such a wimp in warm weather. I really should move further north! If anyone doesn't believe in global warming, you just need to look at Vancouver here, formerly the 'rain capital of Canada'! I've lived her all my life and NO ONE ever had an air conditioner! I've noticed over the last few years more and more of them showing up in the windows of homes, so it's not just my imagination I think we've averaged one day of rain per month for the last 5 months! Linda
|
|
|
Post by adoptaratcanada on Oct 6, 2006 22:33:34 GMT -4
I don't know anything about temperature requirements for rodents other than rats, but maybe someone will have an answer for this: If I want to warm up a single room *a bit* (yes, the rat room), is it more cost effective to touch up the (gas) furnace for the entire house briefly, or use a space heater (ceramic heater)? I personally like it COOOL, but I can't let the "rat room" get too cold, so although I might not normally touch up the heat for myself, I have to in order to warm up the rat room. More curious about the costs, though. Thanks! Linda
|
|
|
Post by adoptaratcanada on Sept 29, 2006 20:28:00 GMT -4
I always read posts in different rat groups about mammary tumours but haven't paid alot of attention because I've had only boy rats. I realize alot of us post to groups and forums (should that be 'fora'?) when we have a situation on our hands, so it would create the impression (rightly or wrongly) that rats will inevitably get a serious illness. I guess that makes 2 questions...first, is this a fair picture of the rattie world? By extension, a relative newbie like myself would have the impression that females getting mammary tumours is just a given. And not only that, but they will likely keep recurring even after surgery. In fact, I had resolved not to adopt females given everything I've read. Am I over-reacting? Thanks everyone! Linda
|
|
|
Post by adoptaratcanada on Sept 18, 2006 22:40:07 GMT -4
If the animal is dressed just for the photo - a few minutes - it may not be a danger, if watched carefully. Anyone recall THIS thread about parrots dressed in costumes?? RIGHT HEREChecked out that link. Egads! "my mother used to watch Johnny Carson"! I feel so oooooooooold! Forgot about Tom Snyder, he was my fave back then! Linda
|
|
|
Post by adoptaratcanada on Sept 29, 2006 20:25:45 GMT -4
I've never found much of an odour with my rats, although they were bit smellier before the got neutered.
As long as bedding is changed often, it shouldn't be too much of an issue. I use primarily fleece bits of fabric, and I like to change the fabric in the hut daily, and the ones that I have layered on the shelves at least mid-week. I change everything once a week. Their's a "Yesterday's News" type product on the bottom and it's very good for odour control. I try to pick out the poops as I see them. Lately I've taken to laying some fabric over the pellets and I can scoop up the fabric and shake it out and/or replace it.
My favourite however, was shredded Hemp (no dangerous oils) which looks nice, feels nice, and smells pleasant. What I really liked about it that because the bits are small enough, you can use a cat litter scoop to clean out the poops, and the sifting action helps to keep the hemp dry. When one of my rats developed a respiratory condition, I stopped using it -- the dust is mimimal (and I'm very sensitive that that myself), but just to be safe I wanted him to be in as dust-free an environment as possible.
linda
|
|