Really weird baby...

It IS possible that the only thing wrong with this ASF was that it was born a bit small, and failed to compete for milk effectively with its numerous siblings. It may have appeared malnourished simply because it was--if it's begun to recover, develop and grow after being placed with a smaller litter, it may be because now it is getting sufficient milk. (Just because it's nursing doesn't mean it's getting sufficient milk--if mom has none left, then baby gets none).

The animal may make a 100% full recovery, and its issues may have been due to nothing other than the bad luck of being born a bit weak in a litter that was too large.

Malnutrition can cause many physical issues--the eye issue and other signs may have been due to absolutely nothing other than that, particularly since they're now going away. There may be no genetic abnormalities at all.

I'm personally not all that sentimental, and would feed it off once it's reached sufficient size. The sturdiest, strongest, fastest growing, and most docile animals should be used for breeders, after all.

I would have no problem feeding it off... I just wouldn't feed it off because of its condition.

I'd love to see updated photos of said rat?

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

I would have no problem feeding it off... I just wouldn't feed it off because of its condition.

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lol...

(i'm a little late but...) Why do people who ask for OPINIONS always think there own opinions outweigh the people that have been asked? You asked and Rhasputin answered, you didn't agree so you argued. Why? To avoid this why not just not ask about the baby? From the original picture I agreed put it down. I've had to do this with rabbits multiple times, it's heartbreaking yes, but that's beyond the point. If you don't like opinions don't ask for advice.

And yes, please post another picture, I'd love to see how this little guy thrived.

hey all sorry I havent updated you. Got super busy with Christmas and the New Year. Anyways, the little guy grew for a short period of time but then stopped. His new litter outgrew him and he was then still the same size as his original mothers new litter. I feel I tried to give him the chance to survive that he deserved but in the end it just wasnt meant to be. Kind of sad, but I have to remember that he was originally born to be a feeder, not a pet. C'est la vie.

Next time, please cull the animal humanely before it starves to death.

I don't know why you assume it starved as the entire time it was alive it ate very well. It didnt thrive enough to make me comfortable keeping it so it was fed off a week ago.

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Originally Posted by Rhasputin

Next time, please cull the animal humanely before it starves to death.

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It was. Miami gave it a shot. It did well - for a time - and when it no longer continued to do so, it was used for its purpose. I don't see what the problem is here.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

I was born 9 weeks premature and only weighted 4 lbs. I'm really glad my parents didn't have the mentality of some of you guys. Sure things weren't easy at first. I was hospitalized multiple times but in the end I turned out fine... Top of my class even.

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Are being serious. Rodents eat their young. Are you seriously trying to compare your premature birth to that of an ASF. I hate to break it to you but you turned out fine from your perspective but if I were breeding humans as food for something I wouldn't breed you. Your intelligence would be a detriment as would your premature birth. Lucky for you your a human and not an ASF. Your value as a person is determined by much more than the circumstances surrounding your birth.