Adopting a neutered male rate

Question
Hi there,
I currently own two female rats about 4 months of age, and I can honestly say I never made a better decision then to get them!  They are the most fun, sweetest pets I can think of.  
    My question is this:  I go to vet school, and about a month ago a male rat was found by someone in the vet school wandering around a park.  The rat was subsequently brought into the school and neutered, and now he is up for adoption.  He seems quite sociable, and is probably a year or maybe a little older.  I am wondering if he could perhaps be housed with my currently two female ratties so I could adopt him!
Thanks
Christina

Answer
Hi Christina

Absolutely adopt him!  The girls will LOVE him and he will love them too. Remember that at least 3 weeks time must pass before he is introduced to the ladies as he still may be fertile. Although the sperm   dies after a total of 8 to 10  days, its better to be really safe than trying to deal with a few dozen rat pups.

Speaking of girls, have you considered spaying the girls?
Spaying females between 3 and 5 months old prevents the growth of estrogen fueled mammary tumors and fatal pituitary tumors. These tumors usually do not manifest until after estrus ceases around 18 to 24 months of age.  If the girls remain intact, the chances they develop mammary tumors are at least 75% and pituitary tumors at least 66% according to recent studies.   Check out my website  for more info on mammary tumors and photos too.  I am not sure how far you are in school but chances are, unless you are studying exotics, you probably will only touch base on these facts .  Here is the URL to my site and to the page about mammary tumors just for a heads up.  Hope this helps

http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/allabouttumors.htm

Please keep me posted on how it goes with the new  boy!