My rat is dying 😢

[herewegoagain18]

Hi needed somewhere to post .
My 2 year old girl rat has been up and down the past month and half with her health. Had picked up a lot but really declined past couple of days. We initially thought lethargy was down the sudden hot weather.

Her breathing is very laboured and just like her mates who we lost last year to an infection. her breathing became bad and like she was gasping for air the morning she passed .

I have my girl on my chest don't think it will be long now

Ohhh very

I've never kept rats but I have held small rodenty types as they spent their last hours.
Can you put her in a pocket to keep her near to you? Or does she have the strength to still cling on to you?
Its sad when you "want" them to go but you don't at the same time.

Hi
Thankyou so much for your kind post and understanding it's hard for many to understand how upsetting it is losing a rodent so it helps to know someone gets it.

She's very very weak just laying on her side she won't eat or drink I can't even get her to drink from a syringe she can't seem to swallow. I have her on a hot water bottle so her body's angled up a bit as read it helps breathing. Apparently it causes more distress if you try to cuddle them so you have to let them have space and go peacefully.

You are so right i want her to go so she's not struggling to keep alive but I don't want her to go i will miss her funny character and feel guilty thinking that. I'm so sad

Horrible isn’t it? Been there too. 2 if mine I had put to sleep. The vet will do it even for a rat.

It's horrible. I've had 2 pass away on my lap, 2 pts and one I found dead with his face in the food bowl.

So sorry to hear about your poorly ratty. They are very prone to tumours so maybe something you can't see is going on.

She's fortunate to be so loved.

Sending you a hug. They are such sweet pets.

Hi
Bonzo. it's awful . I know, I can try and get an appointment for her. I don't drive so will have to walk her to the vets which is no problem but I'm thinking of her being jolted about and then the stress of the vets itself. I will see how she goes if she makes it to the afternoon I will be very surprised. Xx

The only downside of wee ratties is that they don't live very long . We have had quite a few, but we stopped after losing the last two because it was too hard on my dd (they were really her rats) I'm a vet, and I tended to put them to sleep rather than let them go themselves, as I felt it was kinder. I would see if you can get an appointment. Your vet won't think you are silly, we do it a lot. It's part of our job to make sure that even these little guys don't suffer. So sorry about the loss of your wee friend

Oh no poor you and poor wee thing. I love rats and had a few. Sending strength and comfort x

Thankyou for your kind replys yesterday

She passed in the night

I didn't feel right taking her before hubby was home from work yesterday i couldn't just tell him I had taken her and put her down. I know hed want to say goodbye.

She made it till hubby got home early evening . We thought the stress of transporting would be too much for her and expected her to pass very soon.

She hung in to last night. I said she if she still here in the morning she's hanging in and it's not fair I want her to rest. So would take her to the vet.

Now she's at rest at least .
Feel so very very sad.

XX

but it sounds like a peaceful end which is what you want for your pet.

We've had guinea-pigs that have died within 6-12 hours of vet treatment (so well enough to leave the vets, I'm 100% sure they'd have said PTS otherwise) and one that had to be PTS . That was peaceful too but difficult for me as an owner because I made the decision.

Our most recent pig-death was like you described in the "waiting" . DH was working from home so kept checking and GP4 died about 30 minutes after DD got home from school, just like she waited to say "Bye"

It doesn't get any easier does it?
They get under your skin these little furries , but you look back and think "Yes , I did my best for them and gave them a good life and a good death"
And that is all these little animals ask for really.

Awww it's nice your husband got to say goodbye. Sounds like your wee ratty was properly part of the family. They are so smart and beautiful and funny. Of course you're feeling sad. I hope you are very nice to yourself for a good while and that you feel better soon.