I JUST discovered that my blue hooded rat, Holly died while in labor. I knew that she was due in the next few days, and when I checked on her and Mrs. Snuggles (in maternity tanks next to each other), she appeared to be in that sprawled out on her tummy, very pregnant momma sleep.

I was just changing everyone's water, and she didn't move from her slumber. Tapped on the glass and nothing, reached in and she was cold. I took her out and she had some blood around her vagina as if she had started to give birth.

I feel horrible!

Out of three blue hoodeds, I only have one left, JoJo. You may remember Noel's struggle a few months ago with repeated vet visits. I'm beginning to wonder if the blue hoodeds have something in their genetic make-up that makes them not do well health-wise.

This would have been her second litter. She had no signs of illness prior to her death.

RIP sweet girl - you'll be missed!