Follow up on Gonzo

Question
QUESTION: Hi Sandra,

I just thought I should let you know that sadly I had to have Gonzo put to sleep today.... :'(

For the last 2days he did not eat a thing and we had to bring a bowl of water to him to get him to drink anything. He also did not move around at all and just sat hunched over in his bed breathing heavily. I had him out with me loads to keep him warm, but he just wasn't moving or anything, he just lay there either in his bed or in my arms, so I thought it was the best action to have him put to sleep even though it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do.

I now only have 1 male dumbo left #Gadget, I dont no if you remember him as the one with the cancerous lumps which I had removed recently?# out of 3 brothers I started with. I am worried that he will take badly to being on his own, as he never has before. Is there anything I can do to help him other than spend extra time with him?

Many thanks for all your advice

Anderley

ANSWER: I am very sorry to hear that, but thank you for telling me.  I really do care about all the rats that people write to me about and have cried over many rats that have passed, esp if the owner had been writing to me off and on for a while. I know how hard it was to make that decision too, but you know whats best for your rat, only you know, and thats why its hard to come to that conclusion because your worried its not the right answer, but if he was in such a bad way, you did him a favor and showed alot of love and courage by making that decision for him.


As for the lone boy....sometimes they do ok alone, other times they too fall ill in a short time. often due to stress that lowers their immune system. I have had rats live another year or even more alone and others die a month later. It depends on him. You can spend time with him but that doesnt really take the place of another rat.  If you plan on keeping rats, I would get two more younger males and slowly introduce them to Gadget....even having them in the cage next to him may perk him up and keep him happy and intrigued to the point he wont feel so lonely.  I would not get just one though or you will keep being in the same predicament again if Gadget passes, and the new rat will be alone and the cycle keeps on going.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


My Ratties   QUESTION: Hi Sandra,
First off let me say thanks for all the advice you have given me over the last 18months of me getting my rats, as a new owner I have learnt alot from you and your advice you have given me has been really really helpful, Im sure Gizmo, Gonzo and Gadget all would agree too!

I did think of introducing a couple of new rats to him, but i am unsure of how I am going to cope when the time comes for these guys to, I get really emotionally attached to my animals, and these little guys don't live long enough! Saying goodbye to Gizmo and now Gonzo was sooo hard I dont know if I can keep doing it, its heartbreaking.

If I do decide to introduce new ratties to him how old should I get them? He is just over 18months old, but as a dumbo that is quite old isn't it?

I wanted to attach a couple of photos of my babies for you to look at so you can see who i have been and am talking about! but I can only do one per a message? So ive attached an old one of all 3of them but I would like to share a couple of photos of them individually if there is another way?

Gizmo = black and white one, Gonzo = white rex with brown hood and Gadget = blue/grey one with white socks and belly.

Anderley

Answer
Your very welcome.


I do know how heartbreaking it is....as a rat owner, you have to condition yourself to accept that their life is short and thats that. if we want to have rats in our life we have to accept its a short time, but its worth it....


I have lost 40 some rats over the years and its never easy, ever.  I found myself without rats in June and felt absolutely empty. It was incredible. My breeder called and said he would have pups ready to go in a few weeks and everything lit up all over again.

As for Dumbos living to be 18 months, they live as long as any rat does, standard eared, dumbo, it doesnt matter.  I have had rats live to be 4 and others die at 4 months.  It depends on alot of things, from diet to where they come from and how they are bred.  If you do get new rats, younger rats are best, a few months old, say, around 3 or 4 months old would be ideal.