Putting the Rat down

[Pablo]

She's been a good rat. Very smart. Almost 3 years old - wow long life for a rat. She now has a fatty tumor larger than a tennis ball...she now is on her way downhill.

Been healthy, friendly - even dogs and cats in the house made friends. Never trusted Chancho with her though, he's too much of a rat terrier.

Anyway kids are sad, here's the "method":

http://www.ratfanclub.org/euth.html

I have the grave prepared. Getting prepared, see ya.

 

[gonzo]

At first I thought you were reffering to a big block Chevy.Sorry to hear about your pet.We had a gerbal that lived to be about 2 years old.He was a mean rascal but he was fun to watch.

 

[oilboy123]

I thought it was a pest. My Daughter had a gerbil that had a tumor many years ago. I think it just died. My Daughter would have killed my if I tried to put it down.

Wow lots of ideas in the link.

 

[Nick R]

Sorry to hear it pable.... Hope you get through it ok.

 

[mechtech2]

If you personally put her down, keep it a secret and say she just gave out and died.
You will not be the bad guy.

But telling the kids she went to Rat Heaven may be stretching things too far!

 

[Panzerman]

I had a rat when I was younger, his name was Doyle. He lived to about four years old. He would come to you and follow you around like a dog. If he got out of his cage he would run out and find you, he loved people. Alot of people dont know how smart rats are. I still think Dogs are mans best friend, but I will put a rat in front of a cat on liking people. He got a big tumor on his neck too. Is this a common thing with rats or what? I ended up putting him down myself with a .22 at the base of the brain. I was so surprised at all the Korvorcian methods that I read on that site. Ive put down all my own pets in what I consider a quick and humane manner. I understand that most people couldnt handle that. But form seeing that website, it sounds like they are just practicing. Look at this way though when one animal moves on, it creates a home for another animal. He was alot luckier than alot of his friends to have a nice home. It turns my stomach how people buy rats to feed to snakes, I could kill snakes all day with a ballpeen and not feel a bit of remorse.

 

[Scienceman]

Im sorry, Pablo. What a happy thread you've created!

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Sorry to hear Pablo.

 

[greenaccord02]

Sorry to hear this Pablo. I know how attached people can be to their rats. When I managed a pet shop, we had some rat owners that were far more attached to their $3 rat than others were to $1500 birds. Three years was a good run, though.

 

[GMBoy]

Sorry, it's so hard but the right thing to do, too. Been thru it several times. Each time makes you not want another pet, but after healing, you usually do get another pet. Interesting read, too. I hate to think some vets will try the "heart" method when its wrong!

 

[labman]

We just took in a 9 year old Lab. People ask us how we can give up the service dog puppies at a year old. How do you give up a pet that you have had for years? How do you think the lady that had him as a dog guide for 7 1/2 years feels?

 

[Pablo]

It's over. She's buried.

The kids are old enough to understand.

A couple things about CO2:

1) very quick, she just went to sleep
2) I gained a new healthy respect for CO2 and O2 displacement. Deadly. Use extreme caution. CO2 hazard areas are serious.

Side note: yes that rat was very smart.

 

[GMBoy]

Thanks for the update, Pablo. I feel for you and pray you can move on and know you did the rat a favor.

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

I think "Putting the rat down" sounds like the title to a song.

 

[addyguy]

Rats make great pets - I had 3 of them while growing up. I still miss having one every once in a while. At times, just as smart as a dog, and as loyal.

You want to hear nuts? I don't admit this too often, but I had a rat that had a fallen unterus. I spent about $600 total to have it operated on (hysterectomey. Seriously). Lived another year after that.

To say I like rats is an understatement.......

 

[L_Sludger]

RIP.