RIP Holly

[rabernet]

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!

[tigerlily]

Oh Robin I'm so sorry. She was such a pretty girl, and I know how excited you were when you found her. Sending hugs your way!

[SarahMB]

I'm sorry to hear that, Robin
She was a beauty, and lucky to have lived her life with someone who cares as much as you.

[Laooda]

So sorry Robin.... I'm sure she had a great life with you. *BIG HUG*

[Gooseman]

I'm really sorry to hear about your loss. I know how it feels to lose a little beloved rodent, whether it rat or mouse. They're just so darn cute it's hard to not get attached to them.

[dr del]

Awww that sucks.


She was really pretty too - I always heard blues were prone to breeding problems but didn't know if it applied to blue hoodeds or anything else.



dr del

[recycling goddess]

that is so sad to you robin

[mlededee]

oh no robin i'm so sorry. she was such a beautiful girl.

[rabernet]

Thanks guys, I'm still sort of in shock about it, and apalled that I didn't realize earlier that she had passed on. She looked like she was sleeping peacefully, waiting for her delivery date, that it didn't register that there was something wrong. I suspect she passed some time during the afternoon while I was at work.


I did take time to say goodbye to her and stroke her soft fur and apologize to her for causing her death (if she had not been carrying this litter, she'd still be with me). She had a difficult labor with her first litter, but I assumed it was because it was her first, and she did fine after delivery was over. Had I the foresight to know this would happen, she never would have been bred again.

She was a real sweetheart - my favorite memories are of her and Mrs. Snuggles together in the same enclosure during their resting period after weaning their litters and dumping their food bowl so that they could curl up in it together and snuggle while they slept. They even did that in "Caesar's Palace" and drove Caesar nuts!

[frankykeno]

Awww hon I'm so sorry to here about Holly. Wish I knew what to say to make it in anyway not so awful for you. Remember you gave her a wonderful life for a colony rat and unfortunately this stuff just sometimes does happen (just doesn't make it one whit easier to deal with though). Big, big hugs dear.