- Joined
- Jan 8, 2008
- Messages
- 601
About three weeks ago, two of my rats got out. I caught one after four days, but the other one was loose until just after midnight this morning.
When I caught her, I put her back in her cage (which is now escape-proof), and noticed she was acting funny. At first I thought she was just sort of crazy from being put back into captivity from being free for a while, but the more I watched her, the more I realized something was wrong.
She appears to be completely blind. She seems to be bug-eyed more than normal for rats. And she is moving her head all over the place- up, down, side to side. She's clumsy. There is definitely something seriously wrong with her.
I fear she may have gotten into some sort of chemicals. I haven't found anything yet that has been chewed, but I've got all sorts of hair products, makeup, and other chemical stuff all over my room. Who knows what all that junk can do to a little ratty?
I'm torn. I know rats live fairly simple lives, and are incredibly adaptable. She doesn't appear to be in pain, but with all that crazy movement, I can't help but wonder if she's suffering, or if its just something she'll get used to.
Her sister and buddy seem to be helping her out. They immediately took to cuddling with her. I had moved the cage to a different part of my room, and moved the water bottle to the other side of the cage so it was easier for my to get to, so she didn't know where to find it, but as soon as her sister took a drink, she ran right up to it and got a drink for herself.
I'm sure she's beyond any sort of treatment at this point. I just have to figure out what her quality of life is going to be life, and decide whether to let her live, or have her euthanized.
Any insight on how to determine quality of life for a rat? She's eating and drinking, and has been keeping herself clean (her coat was nice and soft when I found her, so she's been taking care of herself). Anything in particular I should be looking for? This is a hard decision.
When I caught her, I put her back in her cage (which is now escape-proof), and noticed she was acting funny. At first I thought she was just sort of crazy from being put back into captivity from being free for a while, but the more I watched her, the more I realized something was wrong.
She appears to be completely blind. She seems to be bug-eyed more than normal for rats. And she is moving her head all over the place- up, down, side to side. She's clumsy. There is definitely something seriously wrong with her.
I fear she may have gotten into some sort of chemicals. I haven't found anything yet that has been chewed, but I've got all sorts of hair products, makeup, and other chemical stuff all over my room. Who knows what all that junk can do to a little ratty?
I'm torn. I know rats live fairly simple lives, and are incredibly adaptable. She doesn't appear to be in pain, but with all that crazy movement, I can't help but wonder if she's suffering, or if its just something she'll get used to.
Her sister and buddy seem to be helping her out. They immediately took to cuddling with her. I had moved the cage to a different part of my room, and moved the water bottle to the other side of the cage so it was easier for my to get to, so she didn't know where to find it, but as soon as her sister took a drink, she ran right up to it and got a drink for herself.
I'm sure she's beyond any sort of treatment at this point. I just have to figure out what her quality of life is going to be life, and decide whether to let her live, or have her euthanized.
Any insight on how to determine quality of life for a rat? She's eating and drinking, and has been keeping herself clean (her coat was nice and soft when I found her, so she's been taking care of herself). Anything in particular I should be looking for? This is a hard decision.