After about 3 months of vet trips and medications, I found my rat Charlie dead today. I bought him less than a year ago for $1 as a weaned feeder rat, my other rat Lucky who I hand raised as a pup needed a companion. Charlie was very shy at first, but has grown so well and became such a sweetheart. I noticed about 3 months ago that he had myco stains around his eyes and seemed to be losing weight. He was battling something. Antibiotics seemed to help for a few weeks, but then he got worse. He lost visibly noticeable weight, and his fur started falling out. I immediately took him back to the vet, in which they found lice. He was put on a stronger antibiotic and treated for the lice, which were gone within days. His wounds from scratching were healing, and he was really doing better it seemed. Finding him dead today was definitely a shock.

I know especially with feeder rats, genetics play a large roll in how healthy they are. The only way I can get over this loss is to blame his genetics. I really tried to help him. Throughout all of this, my other rat Lucky showed no signs of sickness in any way, and is still thriving. I gave Charlie a lot more time on this Earth than he would have had if I had left him at the shop. He lived a comfortable life with his buddy Lucky for quite a long time. I'm glad he's not suffering any more, I just wish he had given me more warning. RIP little buddy, you will be missed




I have better pictures I'll have to post later...just on a different computer right now