death and dying

Question
QUESTION: hi sandra, i wrote in earlier about my girl rat that is dying and could you please tell me if i could give her something to end her suffering. ambien, pain med or what? please answer ASAP thank you, mary b.

ANSWER: Hi Mary

None of the above will do. Rats have a fast metabolism and so therefore those drugs wont cause a peaceful sleep. The only way is to have the vet do it humanely. Do you need a vet?? I can help you by giving you some names. These drugs are not strong enough to just stop the heart without causing some terrible reaction that cannot be reversed.  I know you dont want to see your rat have seizures from an over dose and possibly survive it on top of that.  ITs best to let a vet do it. First they put the rat into a very deep sleep using anesthesia before giving the injection that stops the heart.

Its the only way I can justify at this time.

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

QUESTION: Hi Sandra, I just wanted to tell you that I was having a moment of panic when I asked you about easing my rattie's suffering. I would never have done it even if you HAD given me some advice. I am a great caregiver and a great lover of all of God's creatures and I would never do anything to harm or jeopardize any of my pets, I did take her to the vet where she did pass on to the Rainbow Bridge to carry on with my other pets until I get there. I just wanted you to know this. Money has never been a factor whether I take my animals to the vet or not. I have spent more than one could ever imagine. Thank you for your time and support and just to let you know that I think you are very knowledgeable about rats even more than some vets I have been in contact with over the years. Once again, thank you so much.Bless you. Mary B.

Answer
I am very sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you. Never once did I think you did not have your rats best interest at heart. Often people think that if they make the rat comfortable she will pass in your arms but its not always that easy. I gave me rat 7mgs of valium last July to help her go into a deep sleep so I didnt have to drive an hour to the vet (I am night blind) of course the vet instructed me to give her that much, suspecting she would just sleep deep and pass in her sleep.  Not so. She fought it tooth and nail. SHe was comfortable, however, but she would open her eyes when she felt me put her down (I had to go to the bathroom and she would fuss if I set her down for 2 minutes!!)  We still had to put her down in the morning as she kept fighting it.

I have also had people try things on their own because they were desperate to help their pet only to end up putting their rat in seizures etc...and making it even worse than it was, which is bad for both the rat and their owner. I wanted to spare you of that. I know that you care..and so do alot of other people that write in to us. If they didnt care, they would not take the time to research things on the internet and would not find their way here. People that dont care just let things go and do not try to find a way to resolve things or a way to make things better.

I am sorry your heart is heavy and again, I am sorry for your loss.