|
Post by anaira on May 21, 2012 7:53:20 GMT
Thanks, guys! =D I'm not sure of their exact birth date, but they're around the five month mark now. These pictures are old though; they're bigger now!
I use fleece and towels as well; I have that covering the levels, and for hammocks, and I usually use scraps of material to stuff in their igloos. It seems to help chewing if they already have some loose stuff to drag around, I've found. This worked fine for the boys, but girls definitely chew more....
I can't afford it with 11, but I've know people who swear by aspen shavings. It's safe for rats, unlike pine, seems to be good with odour, and they love having it to burrow in. It does seem to get everywhere, though! Otherwise, shredded paper is fun, it just gets soggy easier, and doesn't really help smell.
I also use paper litter in the tray, but I have a grid over it, so doesn't really count.
|
|
|
Post by anaira on Dec 4, 2014 2:37:57 GMT
Welp, long time since I've posted here! I only have the two halfies now; and they are little old ladies now. I'm not sure if I ever shared pictures of Seth, but here's a recent one of him: My little rabbit Nermal has developed teeth problems and an abscess on her jaw, which will require surgery, which she is having on Monday. Not looking forward to figuring out how to pay that off...
|
|
|
Post by Bean on Dec 4, 2014 9:54:20 GMT
Aww look at your little ratties - the curled up picture is too cute!
Seth is stunning - what a gorgeous dog! Sorry he's short sighted though...
Oh no about the dental problems - they're hard to deal with if it's affecting eating, and so expensive. I'll keep everything crossed here for Monday.
|
|
|
Post by jolovespiggies on Dec 4, 2014 18:15:02 GMT
Thank you for sharing such adorable photos with us love, you have a lovely fur family.
Hugs JO xx
|
|
|
Post by 3piggles on Dec 5, 2014 22:12:33 GMT
Love the pictures, and Seth is gorgeous So sorry about the teeth problems. It's all too common, and so expensive. I've been really lucky, but I know so many who haven't been. Best of luck with Nermals surgery
|
|
|
Post by jolovespiggies on Dec 6, 2014 18:47:38 GMT
Everything crossed for little Nermal here too hun, I have a much loved house bunny.
Hugs JO xx
|
|
|
Post by anaira on Dec 6, 2014 23:23:56 GMT
Thanks guys! Her face is growing bigger :/ This will not be cheap!
All the better to see you with, m'dear Bean...
|
|
|
Post by jolovespiggies on Dec 7, 2014 17:48:36 GMT
Please keep us updated hun, I want to know how she is getting along.
Hugs JO xx
|
|
|
Post by anaira on Dec 8, 2014 0:58:07 GMT
It was either spotted too late, or it grew too fast, because the abscess had spread so far through the bone, she couldn't get it all, so she asked if she could put her down while she was already under the anaesthetic. I have a couple of photos I took of her last night I might post later. I hope Reuben will be ok...Nermal was devotedly attached to him, but I don't think he was quite as affectionate back, so hopefully he won't mourn too much.
|
|
|
Post by Bean on Dec 8, 2014 10:00:30 GMT
Oh no, I'm sorry it was so much worse than you were expecting. Better to find that out now rather than nurse her through a period of ill health and then get to the stage of having to make that decision, but it must have been a shock. Hope Reuben is okay.
Sleep tight Nermal xx
|
|
|
Post by 3piggles on Dec 8, 2014 16:29:46 GMT
I'm so sorry I'm glad it could be done under anesthesia. No more suffering for the poor little one. Hugs <3
|
|
|
Post by jolovespiggies on Dec 8, 2014 18:37:18 GMT
I am so very sorry to hear this hun, I hope he will be OK.
Hugs Jo xx
|
|
|
Post by anaira on Dec 9, 2014 6:35:43 GMT
He went pretty quiet, but he's doing ok, as am I. Yeah, I too am relieved I didn't have to nurse her; guinea pig Alfie had teeth problems earlier this year, and mum and I had to hand feed him right up to the end. I'm glad I didn't have to go through all that again.
|
|
|
Post by jolovespiggies on Dec 9, 2014 19:27:50 GMT
Nursing them can mean seeing them suffer so I agree hun, it is much better when they go quickly and quietly. bless them.
Hugs JO xx
|
|
|
Post by 3piggles on Dec 9, 2014 21:16:04 GMT
I've never had to nurse a pig that wouldn't get any better from it, so I can't even imagine having to nurse them just to keep them alive As much as I want more time with them, and would love the interaction, I would worry so much about not doing it right, not getting enough food into them, something going wrong. From my seat, I can see my huge, hunk of Morty pig lying in the hay and surveying his domain. I can't imagine losing him, or the girls, but I know it will happen.
|
|
|
Post by jolovespiggies on Dec 10, 2014 18:15:30 GMT
I quite agree hun, we always get ours to the vet pronto if they show any signs of being ill; it is usually after the vet has seen them that we have had to nurse a little (medication and the like). Luckily, most came through OK. I would never hang on to a pet because I wanted more time with them, I have always been for doing what is best at that moment in time.
Hugs JO xx
|
|
|
Post by anaira on Dec 14, 2014 1:24:35 GMT
I've nursed a few through illnesses, where other people said I should just let them go. It's always a hard decision to make, but I don't keep animals alive because I want more time with them; I keep them going as long as I can see they want to live, and once their enjoyment of life drops, that's when I let them go.
My sister and I had a rat called Sherlock this year; got him in January, in mid October he got a lump or two, which grew, and became about five-six between the discovery, and the vet appointment. Unfortunately it seemed to be a very aggressive cancer, and surgery would be no good, at the rate they were appearing. It was about two weeks before they were just too much for him, and he had about 17 (that we could see/feel, there would have been more inside) at the end. But at the start of the two weeks, it would have been wrong to put him asleep then, they weren't bothering him and he was enjoying life. That was one of the harder things I've dealt with, just because I had to try so hard not to get neurotic about the lumps. They were just coming up all over him, and it kinda freaked me out. But he loved his cuddles, and we let him go because he was ready, not because we couldn't handle it.
Oh, and Alfie died from something unrelated, he just happened to break his teeth, clever guy. sigh.
|
|
|
Post by jolovespiggies on Dec 14, 2014 18:45:57 GMT
Thank you for relating a very upsetting experience love, poor little Sherlock and Alfie. I always get really worried when they stop eating, that to me is a sign to be very wary of. Lumps all over him, such a shame, I am always looking for them on the babies I have now. I too am a bit obsessive.
Hugs JO xx
|
|
|
Post by 3piggles on Dec 15, 2014 0:27:45 GMT
I totally agree. Quality of life, not quantity. Poor Sherlock and poor you. It had to be awful trying to make just the right call for him. I've heard that rats are prone to cancer I've had vets who told me "It's a guinea pig. A new one only costs a few dollars. "
|
|
|
Post by jolovespiggies on Dec 15, 2014 18:49:41 GMT
I have heard that said before to 3Piggles love, it is diabolical.
Hugs JO xx
|
|