introducing rats

Question
hello there. i have 2 albino rats who are just over a year old. Both quite blind - betsy in particular sways her head almost continually. A couple of months ago tallulah had a mammary lump removed and was very poorly. i was concerned that if anything happened to her then betsy would be alone - not ideal.

I bought two baby rats, also female, NOT albino. They are in a separate cage but in the same room; they have been neighbours for a month or so now. I have not yet introduced them.

The plan is to eventually put them together in the bath tub (after all 4 having had a wash, shampoo and a dab of vanilla essence)

However, today i took another step in the introducing process by putting them in the others cage. The babies were quite happy leaping about. However, Tallulah and betsy spent the whole time with their fur fluffed up being very aggressive. I put that cage in a different room. After half an hour I returned the pairs to their own cages. Again the babies were quite happy. But as soon as Tallulah and Betsy returned to their own cage, the fur and heckles went up again. At one point Tallulah and Betsy bumped into each other and Tallulah went for Betsy with a nip.

I am now concerned that they will not take to each other.

Should i do the cage swap a few more times and try the bathtub introduction or do you think I should accept that they will have be separate forever.

I will add that Tallulah and Betsy have free run of the kitchen for a couple of hours most days. When this happens I move the babies cage into the lounge because I caught Talluah sat on their cage and when one of the babies came near for a sniff tallulah hissed and bit out.

Any thoughts?

Answer
For starters, just because your rat sways her head absolutely in no way implies she is blind. Please read this info from my site as to why a rat sways their heads.

http://www.sandyscrittercity.com/myratswaysherhead.htm

As for being blind, ALL rats have lousy eyesight. Please refer to my website about their vision also so you can better understand more about your rats using accurate information.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page for info on their vision
http://www.sandyscrittercity.com/generalhealthcare.htm


As for introductions....it may take time, esp if the babies are considerably younger than the other two rats. Its not always an easy task getting them together and I always say its not worth stressing the other rats out. Stress causes alot of problems for rats, esp with their health since it can weaken their immune system.  You have seen already how it had put the older rats on edge with each other for a spell.  I would try ONE adult at a time with the younger ones, holding the older rat on your lap allowing her to smell the younger ones in the safety of your clutches. Do the same with the other rat next. DO NOT try the bath tub routine yet or you may see a very negative result that may end with the adults fighting with each other. Rats are funny creatures and if you have on idea about their history and their temperament, it may be hard to get them used to the pups.  Some people have luck and others dont. Its almost like we are darned if we do the right thing (Some folks just toss the new rats in the cage and let them deal with it and all is well) which I do NOT suggest obviously LOL  but wouldnt you know the ones that want to do the right thing always end up in a bind with things going the wrong way! Of course!!

Check out my site for the info on the head swaying. I even have videos of rats from utube for reference that sway their heads (one was to music, it was pretty cute, not sure if they are still available, I need to seriously go through my site and up date it)

To diagnose blindness in rats, use a flashlight to see if pupils react to light. Thats the only way to do it.


http://www.sandyscrittercity.com/