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I got a fat rat!

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  • 05-22-2007, 06:21 PM
    MeMe
    I got a fat rat!
    ok so I went to the pet store today to purchase some various feeders for my snakes.

    I usually look to make sure of what I got but since Jeff is sick I tried to rush.

    Well...I think I have a pregnant momma!

    I was gonna feed her to my Prince but when I looked into the box I saw the FATTEST female rat I have ever seen!

    I just know she is pregnant and she is panting a bit so I am guessing she doesn't have far to go.

    I want to keep her around to have them.

    I will post a pic of her in a bit so you can see how big she is.

    I have to get her tub set up first.

    But I don't know the first thing about rats!

    so any help on how to care for her and the pups would be GREAT!

    thanks!

    :D
  • 05-22-2007, 06:26 PM
    Laooda
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    so any help on how to care for her and the pups would be GREAT!

    thanks!

    :D[/QUOTE]

    First you get the smallest nursing bottles available... then,


    :8: Sorry!

    Lmao :P
  • 05-22-2007, 06:32 PM
    MeMe
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Laooda
    First you get the smallest nursing bottles available... then,


    :8: Sorry!

    Lmao :P


    ok...so where do I get those? :confused: :P
  • 05-22-2007, 06:36 PM
    Stewart_Reptiles
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    This will cover the basics on rats (crash course) http://ratguide.com/breeding/basics/statistics.php

    And the rest of the site will likely help with any questions you might have regarding rats http://ratguide.com/
  • 05-22-2007, 06:39 PM
    Laooda
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by jeffnme
    ok...so where do I get those? :confused: :P

    Wal-Mart.... Duh!?!? :rolleyes:



    :P
  • 05-22-2007, 06:46 PM
    MeMe
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Laooda
    Wal-Mart.... Duh!?!? :rolleyes:



    :P

    aghhh...gotcha! ;)

    phew! I am out the door to go rat puppy shoppin! :bolt:

    I wonder if they will have newborn outfits...:rolleyes:
  • 05-22-2007, 06:47 PM
    Laooda
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    Well yea! It's WalMart! They have everything.... :8:
  • 05-22-2007, 06:47 PM
    MeMe
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by GA_Ball_Pythons
    This will cover the basics on rats (crash course) http://ratguide.com/breeding/basics/statistics.php

    And the rest of the site will likely help with any questions you might have regarding rats http://ratguide.com/

    thanks Deb! :gj:
  • 05-22-2007, 07:11 PM
    SatanicIntention
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    First off, rats don't pant... if she is open mouth breathing, you're right, she doesn't have long to go... Until she dies.

    Rats do not pant or such when they are going into labor, they do stretches, they lay on their back, they look bloated and miserable, etc.

    if this rat is panting, it probably has a very advanced respiratory infection, and isn't very well off. I would humanely euthanize it. Rats can get edema in their chest and belly just like dogs with congestive heart failure can. It may be an older rat with alot of problems.

    Sorry to be so blunt like that...
  • 05-23-2007, 07:49 AM
    frankykeno
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    Sweetie I have to be straightforward like Becky and warn you this likely isn't going to end well. Healthy female rats don't pant in labor, they normally give birth with no muss, no fuss and very little blood or mess. It's possible she's panting due to a hot ride home in the car though, rats don't do well under high heat conditions so first get her settled in a cooler spot, out of direct sunlight and alone with food, water and clean bedding. Watch her closely, if she appears to stay distressed and struggling put her down humanely. If she recovers then just let her be, feed and water her and just keep a close eye on her. Even if she does survive, oftentimes female rats found heavily pregnant at the pet store don't have successful litters as they are not in great shape in the store to get preggers and are stressed and fighting for food and water during the time they are carrying. I don't want to worry you but feel I must be very honest in that this just isn't a situation that sounds good at this point. Please let us know how it goes.
  • 05-23-2007, 08:01 AM
    MeMe
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    Thanks Ladies. ;)

    Well...I think I could have chosen my words a little better.

    I guess it could be called heavy breathing.

    As opposed to panting.

    I mean I didn't see her tongue all laying out and what not.

    I have her in a tote right now with water and some yummies.

    I am going ot keep an eye on her and see how she does.

    I will take pics once I get back from dropping all the kids at school.

    o yea..there is no blood.

    She isn't even breathing heavy now. She seems to be ok.

    I think you were right in that it may have been due to the heat and stress.

    Thanks again and I will keep y'all posted!
  • 05-23-2007, 08:27 AM
    Ginevive
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    We would need to see a photo. If it is a sick rat, I would keep it away from any other rats that you may have, and quite honestly I would take it right back to that store, demand my money back, and never shop there again.
    Preggo rats are large, pear-shaped, and look like they have swallowed a small apple that is sitting in their belly.
  • 05-23-2007, 08:57 AM
    MeMe
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Ginevive
    Preggo rats are large, pear-shaped, and look like they have swallowed a small apple that is sitting in their belly.


    Ok I just got back and I am on my way now to get a few pics.

    She is pear shaped. and you can see a few lil buldges on the sides of her belly.

    I had a pregnant rat once before a long time ago and come to think of it I got it from the same place. Then, I wasn't wanting all those babies since I only had Prince and so I took Mom and her pups back to the store. She had them over night and I counted at least 12. I didn't move them around to get a precise count.

    I have been shopping at this pet store for a long time now and have not ever gotten a bad feeder.

    But if I did they would gladly return any monies.
  • 05-23-2007, 09:25 AM
    frankykeno
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    May well be just stress and heat then hon. If she's settled just let her be and watch her. Don't be surprised to find her flat over on her back as the heavily preggo females will do that to relieve belly pressure (sometimes non-preggo's or males do it if they are overly warm during the summer). Best of luck with the upcoming litter!
  • 05-23-2007, 09:31 AM
    Reediculous
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by jeffnme
    Ok I just got back and I am on my way now to get a few pics.

    geeessss! you don't mess around....what store do you know that is open at 8am.?
  • 05-23-2007, 09:57 AM
    MeMe
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by reediculous
    geeessss! you don't mess around....what store do you know that is open at 8am.?


    huh? :confused:
  • 05-23-2007, 10:15 AM
    MeMe
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    ok so here are a few pics of lil fatty...

    i have more pics but my batteries died so these are the few that I did get from it.

    http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...3Image0056.jpg


    http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...3Image0055.jpg


    http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...3Image0053.jpg


    http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...3Image0054.jpg


    O and I tried to wiegh her :giggle: and she almost got away!

    But it read 438 grams. does that even sound right? :confused:
  • 05-23-2007, 10:20 AM
    Laooda
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    Looks knocked up to me!!! :D Maybe a little young? Can't really tell....

    I have limited rattie knowledge. Except that they are cute.... but you knew that..... :P
  • 05-23-2007, 10:53 AM
    SatanicIntention
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    She does look really young...
  • 05-23-2007, 11:10 AM
    recycling goddess
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    if you hold her up just under her arms she'll literally look like a pear. her belly will be very round.

    how old do you think she is?
  • 05-23-2007, 11:18 AM
    MeMe
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by recycling goddess
    if you hold her up just under her arms

    I don't think I can do that. :rolleyes:

    I am not really a rat person but I just didn't want to hurt her. :aww:

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by recycling goddess
    how old do you think she is?

    I have no idea how old she could be.

    I have been watching her and she does have a pear shaped belly. especially when she stands on her hind legs.

    I'll get a couple better pics up in a few.
  • 05-23-2007, 11:45 AM
    MeMe
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    ok...she won't cooperate for very long and then she decides she wants to hide in the bedding from the camera so here are 2 pics where you can see her belly better.

    What is it that makes you think she is a young rat?

    I am just curious because I have no clue how to tell.

    http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...3Image0073.jpg


    http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...3Image0072.jpg
  • 05-23-2007, 11:48 AM
    Freakie_frog
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by jeffnme
    ok...she won't cooperate for very long and then she decides she wants to hide in the bedding from the camera so here are 2 pics where you can see her belly better.

    What is it that makes you think she is a young rat?

    I am just curious because I have no clue how to tell.

    http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...3Image0073.jpg


    http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...3Image0072.jpg


    Yea your going to have a popper too.. It'll be intresting to see if they are live and healthy
  • 05-23-2007, 12:06 PM
    MeMe
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Freakie_frog
    It'll be intresting to see if they are live and healthy

    I think it will be also.

    I think I am a lil excited! :D
  • 05-23-2007, 12:11 PM
    SatanicIntention
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    Her face and how it is shaped tells me how young she is. I'm guessing maybe 8 weeks, maybe 10 weeks... When they are kept in feeder bins with their brothers and fathers, you're bound to get rats pregnant at 5-6 weeks old... Yes, it happens.

    Just be aware that her pelvis may not be properly formed yet and babies could get stuck, resulting in death of the mother and the babies. That's why they should be only be bred after they reach 4-6 months of age and over 250g.
  • 05-23-2007, 02:25 PM
    jknudson
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by SatanicIntention
    Her face and how it is shaped tells me how young she is. I'm guessing maybe 8 weeks, maybe 10 weeks... When they are kept in feeder bins with their brothers and fathers, you're bound to get rats pregnant at 5-6 weeks old... Yes, it happens.

    Just be aware that her pelvis may not be properly formed yet and babies could get stuck, resulting in death of the mother and the babies. That's why they should be only be bred after they reach 4-6 months of age and over 250g.

    Won't their pelvis fuse if they aren't bred before a particular age?

    I had purchased some "older" females thinking that they would make better breeders (They had never been bred, 325 gram females)...one died after passing four pups, the other looked like the female pictured, she died before giving birth....pups could not pass through her pelvis....likely due to a fused pelvis because they weren't bred close enough to sexual maturity.
  • 05-23-2007, 02:45 PM
    SatanicIntention
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    I'm really not sure, I will ask my vet though. I do know that if the pelvis isn't stretched before a certain time, the ligaments become stuff, therefore the pelvis won't stretch during birthing. Hence, stuck babies.

    In young females, such as in horses, their pelvis just isn't big enough to do diddly(such as birthing), so the babies become stuck and the female can get injured and possibly die(ok, not possibly, usually...).

    Just remember, rats CAN get pregnant at 5 weeks of age. And any good pet store will have the males separated out at least by 4 weeks. Would you want your 10 year old to get pregnant? Just because they can, it's not the best thing for them.
  • 05-23-2007, 04:52 PM
    frankykeno
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    She does appear to be a quite young female rat if you look from the belly bulge forward. She has the thinner, leaner build and face structure of a younger female. I've bought females from the pet store and found out one was pregnant far too young, it does happen and that one looks ready to pop at any moment. Give her lots of quiet time, good food, clean water bottle and bedding. You might want to add in some thin strips from an old telephone book, they love making those into a nest for the babies. She may do just fine. It's not good for them to deliver so young but at this point, what's done is done so best to just support her and give her the tools to hopefully raise her litter. My young preggie female, Squeekers, had 8 that first time out and raised them up just fine though they were on the small side. I gave her a long rest after that litter, let her grow up properly before she was re-bred and she's now a wonderful part of our breeding colony.
  • 05-23-2007, 05:00 PM
    MeMe
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    Thanks Jo!

    She is in a tub and has a clean water bottle and lots of bedding, but I will add some shredded papers. She has plenty of food. and it is fairly quiet in here other than the clicking of my keyboard and the t.v.

    now if and when she has them what would be a good weight for them?

    Will she refuse or neglect them if I handle them?

    :giggle: I just looked in on her and she is happily laid out on her back!

    that is cute! :aww:
  • 05-23-2007, 05:03 PM
    Mina
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    I don't know if a rat's pelivc bones will fuse if they don't give birth by a specific age, but I do know that guinea pigs do.

    It is possible, but I'm just not sure. Well one thing I am sure about, she is very pregnant!!!!! Good luck with the babies!!!!!!
  • 05-23-2007, 05:11 PM
    frankykeno
    Re: I got a fat rat!
    You know funny enough I've never yet weighed a rat pink LOL. I really should do that one day. Basically as long as they are breathing, bright red at birth and shortly thereafter you see milkbands then they are doing fine enough. They will lose the really bright red look very quickly but you can see visible milkbands for the first week or so prior to them getting their fuzzy coats in around day 8.

    Pictures to illustrate:

    Female with young that are less than 12 hours old (note the top baby with the big milkband....good momma rat!)....
    http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...eandbabies.jpg

    Pinkie rats with milkbands in the red circled areas (these are pinking up and are more than 24 hours old)....
    http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2.../Milkbands.jpg

    These babies are about 4 days old, you can see their eventual coat patterns developing in their skin colors and they are now pink instead of the bright red of their birthing...
    http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...withlitter.jpg

    Rat fuzzies at about 8 or 9 days of age....
    http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...izasLitter.jpg

    The female should normally deliver them without a lot of blood loss. You may see more issues because she is young and perhaps not in the best physical condition and she may lose some of them. Unless she's in major distress do NOT interfere. Wait until she's completely finished birthing and then quickly and quietly remove any stillbirths and bloody bedding if she's kicked them/it from the nest area.

    My females are used to me handling and checking their young within 24 hours of birth but since this rat does not "know" you, you might want to be careful there. She's not as likely to reject her litter if they carry your scent but she may be quite aggressive to you.
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