is my rat dying?

[Bleurghghghgh]

Adopted five rats at the weekend. Two over two.

One of the older ones had a lump on/in her belly which felt as though it had gone down but today is golf ball sized. She's incredibly subdued - currently asleep in the crook of my arm - and quite smelly; I wiped her down with a towel before sitting down with her but there's still a whiff. She's still breathing but deep asleep on me, I've never known a rat to do this

I can't get to a vet before tomorrow and I'm panicking

If they're a well bonded group of girls I wouldn't worry about putting her back in the cage. We got 4 baby boys when our girl was on her last legs and she seemed to adore them! Even when she was dying the boys just lay with her/on her and she didn't seem to mind. (She would squeak VERY loud to keep them in their place!)

Hugs for you op she must trust you to be with her.

I think I'd put her back in with the others tonight, with plenty of warm bedding. The others will look after her

I've put her back in. I had her wrapped in a towel snuggled under my neck for the last hour and she seemed to perk up a little so I've put her back in her sisters' care. They're now cleaning her in the hammock. I hope a good night's sleep sorts the little mite out.

Thank you everyone x

Aww, very sweet. Definitely the best place for her.

She made it through the night. I gave her a cuddle this morning and she's still very poorly and still. Her littermate was curled up around her when I left for work this morning and I'm not expecting her to last the day. I really didn't want to leave her but I wouldn't have been able to get any time off work

Hey all. Little Enid died today.

Aw so sorry for your loss. I am pleased for your rat that she at least got to go in peace in a loving home, that's not to be sniffed at. I hope in time you can get some comfort from it

hope you're ok OP

Oh very sad, I'm so sorry. At least she had a lovely cuddly evening with you yesterday. RIP xx

So sorry to hear that.

I used to have rats and followed your threads. Take comfort in the fact that she ended her days being safe and loved.

So very sorry to hear that. Thankfully she found you to spend her last few moments.

Ah so sorry. .

Thanks guys. I hope she was happy. Going to give all of her sisters lots of cuddles

Here she was on Saturday

Very even when you know its just round the corner.
She had a nice cosy last couple of days though, can't be a bad way for a little rodenty type to slip away.

Thank you x

Sad, but a peaceful end

RIP Enid

Thank you so much, fortified and everyone else. You made the last couple of days much easier than they'd have been alone.

The other girls seem happy, even Bella, Enid's proper sister, is chirpier today. She bit and drew blood this morning when I tried to stroke her (in cage) but I've had a nice long cuddle with her and I think we're friends again now.

I took the three younguns out of the cage together to give her some peace and it resulted in (very, very cute) chaos