sugarplumkitty ([personal profile] sugarplumkitty) wrote2005-06-24 04:19 pm

Guess I'm a fairly decent rat mommy!

I just spent $50 to find out that Braticus doesn't have an infection on his back at all. He's bald and gummed up back there from being an intact male. It's called "buck grease" and has caused his fur to fall out. The vet said he could fix it if we neutered the little guy, but admitted it would be a bad idea to do it just for cosmetic reasons. He's bald on his underside because he's so fat he drags himself when he walks and it wears the fur off. He is showing a little weakness in his back legs and that's a typical older rat problem.

Treatment? More lab blocks, less seeds and smaller meal portions of our food.

I forgot to mention he weighs 7.9 grams which is about 1.5 pounds.

** cross-posted in [livejournal.com profile] ratties **

[identity profile] aikoheiwa.livejournal.com 2005-06-24 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
I'd say you were a good mommy. :)

Looks like Braticus is on a diet!

[identity profile] sugarplumkitty.livejournal.com 2005-06-25 12:18 am (UTC)(link)
Oh yeah! :)

[identity profile] chasingserenity.livejournal.com 2005-06-25 12:04 am (UTC)(link)
Glad he is ok!

[identity profile] sugarplumkitty.livejournal.com 2005-06-25 12:18 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks!

[identity profile] honeyswtrose.livejournal.com 2005-06-25 12:09 am (UTC)(link)
Glad you are okay... and you are a GREAT rat Mommy, much better then eye :(

[identity profile] sugarplumkitty.livejournal.com 2005-06-25 12:17 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, I don't know. If I were a great rat mommy he wouldn't be obese!

[identity profile] sun-berry.livejournal.com 2005-06-25 08:15 am (UTC)(link)
in my experience the more you are around them the less stressed they are

[identity profile] sugarplumkitty.livejournal.com 2005-06-25 07:12 pm (UTC)(link)
I spent a couple hours in the computer room with him in the mornings. Sometimes he came out, and sometimes he didn't. Those times are gone. He died during the night.

[identity profile] sun-berry.livejournal.com 2005-06-28 11:41 pm (UTC)(link)
what a cutie, I love rats they are so smart and loving

[identity profile] donnickcottage.livejournal.com 2005-06-25 08:48 am (UTC)(link)
I wouldn't be posting that header in the local newspaper if I were you:)