dying rat. please read

[Skink]

Man that sucks. I wish I knew anything about small rodents.
You should have the vet check 'em out. If it's suffering, you have to put it down.

The only way to really know may be to have someone check em.
I couldn't imaging watching my dog die and wondering if he's hurting. I could shoot him if I had to, but I'd gladly pay the vet to do it for me.

I hope that he/she makes a turn for the better

What is puzzling me is how does he know it is dying???

[intrepidus6]

One of my rats is dying, my favorite one, its put me into tears.

I don't know whats wrong with him, but he has the tale-tale signs of death breathing over him.

i've already smoked him up, gave him some lemon water (his fave), and gave him a little chocolate to snack on.

Can you guys think of anything else that would make him comfortable before he passes? I know it sounds silly, but i really would like some help.

I have two pet rats, can you tell me his symptoms? I may be able to help.

[Jennifer K]

I feel so bad for you, I have raised several rats and they make really good pets. Is the breathing labored or does he have any tumors? From what I have read they don't have a very long life span (3 to 4 yrs). Most of mine have made it 2 to 3. I was told years ago by an old veterarian(sp?) that putting them in a blanket then a bag in the freezer was a very humane way of putting them down. I was told they just go to sleep and feel no pain. I have done this with a couple that were on their last breaths. I really feel for you. I love rats but won't have anymore (unless I save one from someone that doesn't want theirs like my last one, Patches) because they don't live long.

[geonagual]

Maybe he just has gas

[Jderringer]

Sorry... Lizards are my specialty... Not rodents... If you ever need to force-feed an iguana, or you have a lethargic bearded dragon, I'm your man!
But seriously, I'm sorry about your beloved pet... I would just make him comfortable, and continue to give him the things that he likes. If possible, you should separate him from the rest of your rats. Try to move him to a slightly warmer area, to help keep him out of shock, so he can pass on in a comfortable manner.

[benagain]

What is puzzling me is how does he know it is dying???

Thats a pretty damn good question right there :thumbsup:

[BabyFacedAbortion]

You can tell, sometimes rats get sores or their breathing is different and more raspy almost. There's tons of signs rat-lovers can pick up on for many different things. My best best best friend had three rats, two of them died. The first one to pass was the most loveable little mush of a thing, he was chubby and cuddley and just great, then a hairless girl who had a tumor who was also a sweety as well as a bitch. I know how you feel babe, when those two died I felt like they were my neice and nephew for a lil bit. It'll be okay, and maybe you can make room to save another rat (pet stores like pets'r'us treat rats like SHIT, give one a home)

[NextLineIsMine]

death is a long painful process when its due to a disease or condition like your rat is in. Id go with SlipKnot on this one, I know its painful ive seen pets die but it could be a split second, maybe a buddy could do the deed

[MacWQ33]

it's not exactly tasteful, but you could shoot him in the head if you had a pretty powerful pellet gun or maybe a .22, stick him in a ziplock bag and suck out all the oxygen or smash his head with somethin heavy...

That's not cool, I know what you mean Slippy, but that's so fucked.

[slipknotpsycho]

o.0 well shit if i was his rat... i'd want that to happen to me.. i don't wanna waste away and die... i wanna go quick...... those are the three methods i could think of... gunshot, suffocation, and blunt force trauma... you couldn't exactly put a pillow over it's head to suffocate it >.<

and believe me, if i'm laying on my death bed, and somehow one of you is around o.0 you have my express permission (if not me begging >.<) to bash me in the head with a rock or suffocate me.....