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.

Yeah, same tub with momma and dad atm, still drinking milk. Thats the only reason, but I mean, if it's the megacolon I can go ahead and feed her off to stop her from being in pain!!!

Hmmm she honest might just be fat. I highly doubt shes pregnant if shes still drinking milk. I've had some really tubby babies that stayed looking pretty bloated until they got older. If she doesnt appear to be in pain, I would wait. just my :2cent:

My baby rats go through this same pudgy stage at that same age. I wouldn't worry too much about it, actually, unless she starts looking like she's skinny but with a fat belly (as, in can see or feel ribs easily). At 5 1/2 weeks, it's technically possible for her to be pregnant, but I doubt it. The adult male would be the father if she is.

Too late lol, I went ahead and fed er off to my spider ball!!! I was too worried about her being in pain that I decided to just do it!

A lot of mine look like that until they get bigger.

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I got that a ton at that age with many of my ratties. Generally I think it was caused by them moving over to solid foods from milk. Never had troubles with them.