Lonely Abbey

Question
Hi Sandra,

I just experienced the loss of my pet rat, Kayleigh.  She had a massive tumor under her chin.  I had emailed you about a week ago.  I took her to my vet who said that it was the largest tumor he had ever seen and the best cared for - meaning no ulcerations and the rattie had a very shiny coat.  He told me she was suffereing now - so I let her become an angel.

Kayleigh's cagemate is Abbey.  She cared for Kayleigh endlessly and tirelessly.  Now she is alone.  Here's my reason for writting to you...I have another cage with a female spayed rat and a male unnuetered rat.  They live happily together.  Abbey is about 1 year and 9 months old, but unspayed.  If she were tother with a male rattie is it possible hshe may become pregnant, or rather unlikely?  I would like her to be with some other ratties now.

Thank you,

Heidi

Answer

Its impossible to know if she is through menopause. Usually around 18 months they start, but sometimes later, past 24 months.  It isn't worth the risk to put her with the intact male. If she were to become pregnant at this age it could kill her having the pups.
Its safer to just get two more females *yes two*  young females, and this way having two will keep them busy with each other so they don't bother the older rat with their silly rattie antics and if the older rat passes away, the other two have each other....not really in that order, but you know what I mean.
I am sorry for your loss. I think I recall her because I suggested having it removed and you had said it was too dangerous to remove because it involved major arteries that were entangled...if I remember correctly, and if I do thats amazing since my memory stinks these days!!  
Again, sorry for your loss. Its never easy, but you did the right thing by letting her go if she was suffering and it was inoperable. This is one reason I vow never to own an intact female again so I keep males instead since I still fear spaying females despite my experience with rats and dealing with all that stuff.  

Anyhow, I wish I could say Abbey is safe and cant become pregnant but I just cant guarantee that it cant happen. The vet may be able to do some blood work to see on her, but it would cost an arm and a leg and it would be cheaper to get two females for her, plus alot more fun.  Don't forget to quarantine too, btw:)

Hope this helps!