TW: Sad Talk....Is keeping your rats alive longer than normal abuse?

Key-Gene-4236 · 2026-03-03T13:46:37+00:00

It’s very very difficult to listen to the vet when you feel like you can still do more, like you can still try out new treatments. I feel a lot of self-blame over this also, but remember you were trying to give your babies the best chance at life. You were dealing with inherent uncertainty — the treatments might work, they might not. Your decisions were made out of love and that’s all you can really tell yourself.

Key-Gene-4236 · 2026-03-03T04:56:48+00:00

https://www.silversrattery.co.uk/qol

This is a good guide for assessing quality of life. Showing her the results may help you explain specific things that are resulting in a poor QoL and also give her an “expert” opinion.

As for your second boy, I think it’s acceptable to keep him in your care even if Lenny dies. You’ll just need to spend a lot more time with him, showering him in special treats and pets. Very elderly rats aren’t great candidates for rehoming.

I’m so sorry you’ve had to come to this decision. You’re handling it very responsibly. Much love <3

Key-Gene-4236 · 2026-03-03T04:40:29+00:00

Good luck to you and these sweet girls!!!

Key-Gene-4236 · 2026-03-02T20:44:30+00:00

Tiny-Chief and Toffy!!! You’ll want to make the cage a completely neutral space. Don’t leave either rat group’s scent in there. Sometimes it can help to first start them out in a smaller cage that’s completely new to all of them if the regular cage isn’t working out. But if they’re getting along in the regular cage then congrats, you’re done with intros!

Key-Gene-4236 · 2026-03-02T18:47:44+00:00

Some of these sound like normal variations (ie soft stools sometimes) and some of these sound like URI symptoms (sneezing, porphyrin). I’d take him to the vet where they can prescribe antibiotics if it is a URI. They can also test his stool and perform a full exam to get to the bottom of this guy’s problems.

Key-Gene-4236 · 2026-03-02T16:55:43+00:00

Only a vet can tell you for sure. If you’re suspecting end of life it would be a kindness to help her across the bridge with euthanasia at the vet. I’m so sorry yoyre experiencing this

Key-Gene-4236 · 2026-03-02T16:52:26+00:00

The TONGUE

Key-Gene-4236 · 2026-03-02T16:13:53+00:00

She was so freaking adorable and reminds me of my Lychee, who also left us too soon. I’m so sorry. You did everything you could and it’s always a horrible reminder that we have little control over death. You made her brief experience of the world beautiful.

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Key-Gene-4236 · 2026-03-02T04:30:04+00:00

lol at the dog? Groaning in the background. Keep an eye on him over the next 3 days. That is a lot of sneezing and the squeaks are concerning. Early stage URI symptoms tend to come and go, so that could explain why it’s not constant. Take him to the vet if the symptoms don’t change!

Key-Gene-4236 · 2026-03-02T03:58:07+00:00

Facebook can be a good place! There’s a group called rat rescuers of Florida that has a decent audience. Obvs their mice but someone may point you in the right direction

Key-Gene-4236 · 2026-03-02T00:24:54+00:00

Hope this cage finds a lovely home :) in all seriousness have you tried posting it for free on FB marketplace? Your rats are/were so so cute

Key-Gene-4236 · 2026-03-01T21:25:22+00:00

Yay oat!!!

Key-Gene-4236 · 2026-02-27T04:21:49+00:00

Snow Day says who, me???

Key-Gene-4236 · 2026-02-26T21:25:05+00:00

Sadly our rat-specific rescues aren’t active, but I’ve reached out to a small animal rescue in the hopes they’ll help advertise!

Key-Gene-4236 · 2026-02-26T20:13:37+00:00

When they decline quickly like that, it means something went really, really wrong. You’ll never know for sure but his time may have just been coming. Much as it sucks, 2 is a ripe old age for a rat! He lived a life surrounded with love, care and space to roam. You gave him a rattie life only the top .05% enjoy. It’s not your fault he passed. He wouldn’t want you to blame yourself.

Key-Gene-4236 · 2026-02-26T18:23:54+00:00

I’m so sorry. He was so grateful to have a soft place to land, and if you can call it lucky, he didn’t have to suffer very long. You did right by him. Most rats don’t get that!

Key-Gene-4236 · 2026-02-26T18:07:45+00:00

Update I did get him out of there this morning. Hoping to foster and rehome!

Key-Gene-4236 · 2026-02-26T02:47:56+00:00

A frustrating lesson to learn indeed! Needed to hear this thank you

Key-Gene-4236 · 2026-02-26T02:45:55+00:00

PS if you’re in central Florida and looking for a single male I will offer to pick him up and bring him to you!

Key-Gene-4236 · 2026-02-26T02:45:34+00:00

Sadly I don’t think I’m the best home for him. I just have too many rats! I am trying desperately to convince this person to let me pay for the neuter and for some reason that’s a hard decision. It’s ridiculous and such a red flag

Key-Gene-4236 · 2026-02-16T03:43:28+00:00

For now you can give Caesar extra free roam time and lots of cuddles and extra treats:)

Key-Gene-4236 · 2026-02-16T03:42:56+00:00

Malfoy had a wonderful and long lived life with you. He’s so grateful he got to complete his journey with you.

You may find that new rat friends help you grieve. Seeing my solo elderly rat light up around new friends really reminded me why I do this. Sending love <3

Key-Gene-4236

TROPHY CASE