How small can they be??

I have a little girl I am holding back for breeding and she's still so tiny, but she's either pregnant or some things wrong. Give me you opinion on this picture here!!!
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/24/yhana7u6.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/24/5ujupedu.jpg

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It doesn't happen often. But it is possible for them to get pregnant at a very young age.

There are dwarf rats too. Brian has some i think

Given her size I will assume she is 3 maybe 4 weeks? And given the size of the belly also not the best picture you are possibly dealing with bdominal distention, one of the symptom of megacolon megacolon http://ratguide.com/health/digestive/megacolon.php

At 5-6 weeks old rats can mate so if she a lil older then that she might be. To me it looks like she is but the way you are holding her isn't the best way to tell. Get her to stand up on her hind legs if possible and look at her belly. You're looking for a pair shape belly if she's pregnant.

Let me get y'all a better picture in a little bit!!!

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Here ya go, if it looks like something causing pain, let me know so I can cull her!!

http://i.imgur.com/WmphOpV.jpg

oh and shes about 5 1/2 weeks old!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Given her size I will assume she is 3 maybe 4 weeks? And given the size of the belly also not the best picture you are possibly dealing with bdominal distention, one of the symptom of megacolon megacolon http://ratguide.com/health/digestive/megacolon.php

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I agree with this. Her markings look like either hooded or banded, or a combination of both (I can't tell from the picture). If she's banded, that's considered a "risky" marking and megacolon is definitely a possibility. Even if she's hooded, she could still get megacolon. Given her age, I'm more inclined to believe megacolon than pregnancy. While it is possible for a young rat to get pregnant, it's not common.

How big is she compared to her siblings? If she's smaller and/or scrawny (failure to thrive) that makes megacolon more likely. Is she separated from the other rats, or can you separate her? That way you can see how she's pooping. If she's not pooping, or not normal poops, that's another sign of megacolon. Her age is right for megacolon to start showing up.

Has she been in with the males? I would assume so otherwise I guess you wouldn't be considering pregnancy a possibility.... I'd quarantine her for like a day or two to see she if poops.