the little things that hurt

[dksuddeth]

I'm sitting here at 3:30 in the morning. Haven't really slept for 26 hours. I've had to watch 4 little animals I loved dearly gasp for their last breaths in my very hands.

My wife and I run a rat rescue called 'Pocket Angels Rattie Rescue'. If anyone has ever done research on how domestic rats are treated, you'll understand why we started it. These little creatures are so very smart and lovable. It seems like most all they want to do is give and receive affection.

We had 30 of them in our rescue area. We accepted two new surrenders on sunday and then we made a huge mistake. In our fatigued state from a long holiday and knowing the two people who brought us the surrenders, we broke quarantine and allowed our friends in to the rescue area to see our rattie residents. Nobody knew it, but our friends brought a virus with them and infected our entire colony.

It's depressing to watch these poor little animals look up at you for help as they struggle to breathe and there's nothing you can do but pet them and hope that makes them feel a little better.

I have to dig at least 4 graves in the morning and it's possible it might be 6. It could even go as high as 12 by the weekend.

I think the thing that hurts the worst is the first two ratties to die were our favorites.

I probably should have made this a journal entry, but i've not looked in to starting one and don't have the ambition to do so now.

[nomcat]

Sincere condolences.

I lost 2 rats recently to illness... it's mad how attached you get to such small little furry things.

[Cynosure]

Originally Posted by dksuddeth

If anyone has ever done research on how domestic rats are treated, you'll understand why we started it. These little creatures are so very smart and lovable. It seems like most all they want to do is give and receive affection.

By "domestic" rats, are you talking about the same rats that break into people's homes, and chew through wood and wires and particle boards, and tear into bags of cornmeal and boxes of cereal, and leave little turds in the cabinets, and possibily spread contamination and disease?

[LordEden]

Originally Posted by Cynosure

By "domestic" rats, are you talking about the same rats that break into people's homes, and chew through wood and wires and particle boards, and tear into bags of cornmeal and boxes of cereal, and leave little turds in the cabinets, and possibily spread contamination and disease?

I have two friends that have pet rats and rat like things (I fucking hate ferrets) and from what I've read they chew as much as other domestic pets and spread disease at the same rate. Now, this is all in how you take care of them just like any pet. So a nasty pet = disease, but that could be a dog, cat, iguana, bird, tribble, chicken or a horse.

Take the world Rat out of the OP and replace it with kitten and no says a thing. Personally, I can't stand the damn things as pets. Had a ex with them and it's one thing to have a cat jump on the bed during a makeout sessions and another thing when a rat crawls up your damn leg.

My sympathies go out to you man, it sucks when shit like that happens when good intentions are behind them.

[skizziks]

My condolences and sympathies. I dont care for rats at all, but you obviously have a good heart and I feel bad it's breaking for the loss of loved ones.

Dont beat yourself up, it was a mistake, not intentional or malicious. Let it go, and dont break your rules again. There are many many more rats that will need to be saved.

[ItWasMe]

Aw, my heart goes out to you. I once had to rock an hours-old puppy while she passed. I know it's hard.

I've known two people with pet rats. One was the size of a cat, the others more like six inches. They were very calm, lovable creatures. Affectionate like a dog, but nowhere near as hyper. They didn't have to be caught to be held like our gerbils do; they just come right to you. If my hubby wasn't rattie phobic, we would have one.

[dksuddeth]

Originally Posted by Cynosure

By "domestic" rats, are you talking about the same rats that break into people's homes, and chew through wood and wires and particle boards, and tear into bags of cornmeal and boxes of cereal, and leave little turds in the cabinets, and possibily spread contamination and disease?

No, those would be what are called norway rats, or roof rats, and are basically wild rats. I'm talking about the ones you see in pet stores. domestic rats or 'fancy rats' they are called. they might be black and white, tan and white, all blue/silver, among other colors.

[snowy]

I'm sorry, dksuddeth. That's really tough. I wish you and your wife the best.

[Dixy]

My sympathies too, dksuddeth. I also (like most) hate loosing animals. As you say, near the end they look to us for help and often we just cannot.

I'm curios. Once you nursed these rats back to health, do you find homes for them or do they stay with you?

[Willravel]

I'm sure in their own way they were very thankful for the hard work and love you and your wife put into their care. They had wonderful lives with you, and that's something you both should be very proud of.

My fox terrier passed away when I was maybe 17 or 18, and it hurt deeply. Still, he was loved and cared for as a member of the family, and I know that he passed away after a truly wonderful and full life. I take solace in that.

[dksuddeth]

Originally Posted by Dixy

My sympathies too, dksuddeth. I also (like most) hate loosing animals. As you say, near the end they look to us for help and often we just cannot.

I'm curios. Once you nursed these rats back to health, do you find homes for them or do they stay with you?

it depends on their health and temperament. We've had some come in and within 3 weeks were being adopted out. If we come in to some 'problem' ratties, then I'll work with them for awhile to see if adoption is even viable. If it's not, then they become permanent residents of Pocket Angels. I've had about 8 that fit that bill so far.
-----Added 2/12/2008 at 05 : 18 : 01-----

Originally Posted by Willravel

I'm sure in their own way they were very thankful for the hard work and love you and your wife put into their care. They had wonderful lives with you, and that's something you both should be very proud of.

Thanks Will, coming from you that means alot. You know more about our rescue than anyone else on here due to our IM conversations we've had. You know how much they mean to us.

[Dixy]

@dksuddeth: How long does a rat normally live?

We had hamsters once, but they just hated the cage and I think they did not like us much either.

[dksuddeth]

I don't want anyone else thinking I'm not appreciative of their support here. Thanks to you all.

Dixy, the average life span for a fancy rat is between 2 and 3 years, due mainly to their metabolism and their lack of any real immune system. The immune system deficiency is due to their continued use as lab test animals.
-----Added 2/12/2008 at 05 : 47 : 19-----

Originally Posted by Dixy

We had hamsters once, but they just hated the cage and I think they did not like us much either.

ratties are different in that you'll get unique personalities out of every one of them. my two girls that passed last night were my two original ones. One of them we rescued from a couple of college boys that used her for a cat toy. After her first 4 months of being batted around by a declawed cat, you'd think she would have been either too frightened of anything or very aggressive in defending herself. Not Pearl, she was very affectionate, seeming to live just to give love.

[Dixy]

I think everyone has something they feel very strong about. Me, cruelty to animals just gets me so annoyed.

I think you do wonderful work.

[Xerxys]

I'm very sorry you had to go through that. My condolences.

[SabrinaFair]

My deepest sympathies. Watching an animal suffer is heartbreaking, whether the animal is a rat, a cat, or a bird. I wish you all peace and comfort.

[genuinegirly]

Terrible news. I'm sorry for your loss. I hope that you can continue to rescue pocket pets after this incident and that the disease does not stick around for long.

Originally Posted by LordEden

...that could be a dog, cat, iguana, bird, tribble, chicken or a horse...

Where does one purchase a tribble these days?

They'd make such great friends for my rabbit.

[Hyacinthe]

dksuddeth I am so sorry for your loss

It always hurts when you loose an animal that has been depending on you and in this case it must be even worse. Rats are such intelligent (and in some cases affectionate) little creatures that loosing a rat is like loosing a cat or dog or any other animal which has enough of a personality to become a member of the family.

Pocket Angels sounds like a great idea, there are so many organisations for abandoned dogs and cats but other creatures tend to be left out in the cold, especially those who have a bad reputation (even if undeserved!)



Ode To A Rat

Always poking, always peeking,
Climbing, jumping, sometimes squeaking,
Twitching whiskers, cunning faces,
Hiding in the strangest places!
Nibbling here and napping there,
Always finds the time to spare
A fuzzy "kiss" upon my cheek.
Sometimes I wish that you could speak!
Bright eyes shining full of love,
A furry gift from up above.
Always glad to have me near.
Such a treasure! What a dear!
Folks can have their cats and dogs,
Horses, snakes, and even frogs.
For me you stand out from the rest.
No doubt about it- a RAT'S the best!

[lostgirl]

I am sorry you have lost so much. I know how it feels, I had many pet rats die from cancer and respiratory aliments. They were the my sweetest friends.

I had to stop keeping them as pets as I became allergic to them a few years ago. I still have to fight the urge to get more. They really were the best pets I have ever had.

[*Nikki*]

I just recently lost the second of my two rats. One lived two years and the other just short of three. I think both suffered a lot in the end and I couldn't do a damn thing for either one but watch it happen.

I hate that you are having to go through what you are, but it sounds like you are a very noble individual who has a very large heart

[Willravel]

Originally Posted by *Nikki*

...it sounds like you are a very noble individual who has a very large heart

This, I believe, is a very good description of DK.

[dksuddeth]

and it just doesn't stop.

last night we lost one of my favorite girls though not to the sickness spreading through the rescue. we got her when she was already 2 years old. She'd had this ulcered tumor on her abdomen that her previous owner couldn't afford to have her operated on so we took her in. Her cagemate died the first week we had them but once we had her tumor taken off, she was having a very good life, albeit a solo one. I couldn't put her in any other cage because it would never fail that at least one rat in each cage would beat on her. she had to live by herself so she got lots of extra attention from me daily. I think she finally got too old and died about 20 minutes before I got home from work.

Just now, another of our perm residents named Quark, who was from an oops litter during our first months as a rescue, died in my wifes lap. He didn't show any signs of sickness until two nights ago.

I've got two more rats, a girl and a boy, who have been on the couch and chair with us for 3 nights and I have no idea how they are hanging on still. they are so weak though that I may take them to the vet and have them put to sleep tomorrow. If they make it through this night.

I've got 20 left in my colony that don't appear to be sick......yet.

[Cynosure]

Originally Posted by Hyacinthe

Ode To A Rat

Always poking, always peeking,
Climbing, jumping, sometimes squeaking,
Twitching whiskers, cunning faces,
Hiding in the strangest places!
Nibbling here and napping there,
Always finds the time to spare
A fuzzy "kiss" upon my cheek.
Sometimes I wish that you could speak!
Bright eyes shining full of love,
A furry gift from up above.
Always glad to have me near.
Such a treasure! What a dear!
Folks can have their cats and dogs,
Horses, snakes, and even frogs.
For me you stand out from the rest.
No doubt about it- a RAT'S the best!

"Ode to a Rat", eh? How about a love song to a rat...

"Ben" by Michael Jackson (1972)

Ben, the two of us need look no more
We both found what we were looking for
With a friend to call my own
I'll never be alone
And you my friend will see
You've got a friend in me
(You've got a friend in me)

Ben, you're always running here and there
(Here and there)
You feel you're not wanted anywhere
(Anywhere)
If you ever look behind
And don't like what you find
There's something you should know
You've got a place to go
(You've got a place to go)

I used to say "I" and "me"
Now it's "us", now it's "we"
I used to say "I" and "me"
Now it's "us", now it's "we"

Ben, most people would turn you away
I don't listen to a word they say
They don't see you as I do
I wish they would try to
I'm sure they'd think again
If they had a friend like Ben
(A friend)
Like Ben
(Like Ben)
Like Ben

[Spartanx9]

Sorry to hear that.

Always is hard to lose something you love

[ItWasMe]

No word recently. I hope that is good news.

[Ayashe]

I am sure that it must be incredibly difficult to see those you have put your heart into saving and giving a better life go like this. My condolences.

[dksuddeth]

Originally Posted by ItWasMe

No word recently. I hope that is good news.

We lost number 13 wednesday morning. sweet little girl named karma.

I think she'll be the last one. there were 4 that were really sick, 2 girls and 2 boys, but their breathing issues have relaxed and they are moving around with more energy now. Before, they were just hanging around with their heads off the edges of boxes or hammocks. I think they'll survive.

My wife just got back the urn that holds the ashes of her favorite. she's really upset.

I lost 7 of my girls, she lost 6 of her boys. Very tough to deal with.

thanks to everyone for the support and well wishes. it is most appreciated.

[cheetahtank2]

dksuddeth I'm truly sorry you had to go through this...I know it's very hard to have something like this happen where it's like quick sand and one mistake and you are no longer in control...It's a horrible feeling...I think you should take comfort however in how noble your cause is and how happy you must have made those rats in the time they were with you and that they have died at what I can only imagine was the happiest time in their lives...You showed fellow beings kindness and love when all they knew was cruelty and pain, thats as noble a cause as any. Just dont let it end your cause I'm sure there are many more rats out there being mistreated who are only seeking love that you can provide. Again my deepest condolences.

[ngdawg]

What kind of human virus would wipe out so many rats?

My daughter acquired a rat, Juno, over the summer when she was just a few weeks old. Spouse was not thrilled, but Juno has turned out to be a welcome addition. I wouldn't have guessed that such a simple creature would have such a distinct demeanor! Juno has learned to respond to the sound of her treat bag-gets pretty excited til we give it to her, after which she runs to a corner with it. My daughter walks around with Juno on her shoulder; Juno won't eat her treats if she's held.

When Juno was here only a couple of weeks, she started wheezing and my daughter was scared because she'd heard rats get upper respiratory infections very easily that kill them. I made her wipe down the cage (at the time a glass aquarium) with peroxide every other day for a couple of weeks and the wheezing stopped. Soon after, I got her a wire cage because I thought maybe being confined with glass walls kept in the germs.

Don't let this deter your work. I'm sorry you have have to go thru this, tho.

[nomcat]

Originally Posted by ngdawg

I made her wipe down the cage (at the time a glass aquarium) with peroxide every other day for a couple of weeks and the wheezing stopped.

The problem with glass aquariums is that there's not enough airflow to shift the ammonia from the rat urine, so the ratty ends up breathing it in... risking a RTI.

Also, make sure you're not using sawdust (especially pine!) as the resins in the wood can be skin irritants, as well as being bad for lungs.

If you're using newspaper, make sure it's non-toxic ink!

Paper-based cat litter is really good for rat cages ( Bio-Catolet Cat Litter 12Ltr. )

[dksuddeth]

We've gone 5 days now, no others are sick and the last 4 that were sick are showing energetic signs of life. I think it's passed us now.

The 4 that were sick will never again be in great health. The strain of strep pneumonia that ran through our colony leaves pretty significant damage to the lungs, so they will always have wheezy and crackly breathing, but my two girls that were sick are now coming out of their box to eat regularly and come out to greet me when I open the cage door and the two surrendered boys sat on me last night while I was watching TV, chewing on chocolate covered mint sticks.

I thank everyone for listening/reading my posts, offering support and sympathy, and advice. We're certainly not done with the rescue, but safety and health concerns will certainly hold us back from taking new ones in for about 6 weeks. That will at least give us the time to re-organize and recage the ones who lost all their cage mates and currently sit alone in a cage.

thanks again everyone.

[dksuddeth]

Well, I was hoping I'd never have to come to this thread again, but we're now facing another possible major loss. Starting Friday nite we had sick ratties again. The first to go was a new girl we had called Gabby. She was a solo rattie, surrendered to us by a college girl who was too emo to want to care for her anymore. A very adorable and lovable little animal. Then Saturday nite, a juvenile rattie girl named SweetPea got sick and died on us. At least those two died quite peacefully with just a touch of struggle to breathe. Sunday was the hardest for me. We had a little black and white girl named Sweetie. Her surrender mate died during the december tragedy. Sweetie got sick along with the others and I never imagined that she would survive, let alone survive this long. Her health was shattered, lungs scarred, but always bright and attentive. A bigger heart has not been seen in a little animal and the desire to live was so strong in this little girl. We gave her meds, nebulized her, did everything I had in my power to help her when she started showing issues on Sunday morning. I stayed up with her all night and would hold on to her as she struggle with the feeling that she was drowning. She finally got too weak and could only lay there and by 430 monday morning, gasped her last. During that Sunday, we also found one of our oops litter boys with breathing issues. He sat on the couch all monday and died in his sleep Tuesday morning. We've got one more rattie, a new surrender about 4 months old, who is also sick. I don't expect him to survive by the morning.

Running a rescue for animals you fall in love with is so hard.