Post by Mil on Oct 30, 2011 11:58:36 GMT -5
Transferred from the TRRQ Discussion Board Formerly on Facebook:
Chuu Mong
I have found, almost without fail, rats I get from a local pet store do not live past 2, if at all. While they are healthy enough looking (physically as well as mentally) as babies, they fail to reach a robust adult size regardless of what I feed them, and are prone to renal failure (the leading cause of death in my house) and other congenital conditions. This does not apply to every rat I have owned, but the great majority of them(as I am a sucker for buying feeders), and certainly all from a specific pet store.
I believe this is because these little guys were bred to be snake food, and since they were never intended to live past 6 months, lots of the adult- and late-adulthood- conditions were never 'bred out' of the strains, because the breeders were either unaware due to animals not living long enough for onset of the conditions, or simply do not care, because they are not catering to pet owners who want long-lived ratty companions.
People who breed rats as a Fancy(does it apply to rats? I know among us guinea pig breeders it is referred to as a "Fancy" to separate lovers of cavies from commerical breeders), however, do not want Rats who waste away from chronic congenital conditions, and will breed these tendencies out, making a rat with better mid- to late-life health and increased longevity. These rats are born because someone wants them, and they have great chances of their long life being a happy one with someone who loves them.
Which do you guys prefer? A genetically healthy rat who will be with you for longer, or a shorter-lived rescue who was condemned at birth to die?
about 8 months ago · · Report · Delete Post.Chuu Mong
Personally, while it breaks my heart, I am content with my saved ratties who have abbreviated lives (though I wish they were fatter... I love fat rats!).
I feel that even if they only live 18 months, that is 16 months longer than they had been fated to live, and if I can give them a good life in that brief time, I have done right by them...
While I really wish I could have a rat that lives longer, and would enjoy a well-handled baby from a breeder, I know these rats are more likely than not facing a rosier future than the feeder babies, and I do not feel I am failing a Show Rat by passing it by, whereas every time I walk away from a feeder baby, I am probably condemning it to a terrible fate.
While it hurts every time I lose a rat, I feel it is worth it in order to give just a few of these babies a chance to enjoy a happy existence before they pass on. Short and Sweet for me!
about 8 months ago
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Dantes Zaatara
waiting for good info/replies on this excellent post !
about 8 months ago
-----------
Carol Weekes
Not all pet store rats live short lives. Most of my rats (I've had almost 50 in the last ten years) came from pet store stock and most lived to between 20 and 29 months of age. At least half a dozen lived to 33 - 35 months old, even with tumors. So, it may have to do with the particular stock from the store where you're buying rats; they may be inbreeding too much and not out-crossing enough for healthier lines (not surprising with pet stores).
You may want to try to boost their immune systems with some natural products like turmeric, grapefruit seed extract, coriolus mushroom, inositol, etc. A strong immune system from the time they're young will give them more of a fighting chance against myco and other rat-related diseases.
Do whatever you feel your heart leads you to do. Pet store rats are sweet rats; as sweet as any other, although breeder rats are usually more handled from the time they're born and often less nervous; but pet store rats come around quickly enough.
And I agree; no matter what lifespan a rattie has - if that timeframe has been filled with love and good care, then it has been a successful life - which is what counts.
about 8 months ago
------------
Dantes Zaatara
thank you, i will ! & i'm going to try those for me, too ! -- i have late-stage'' lyme disease.. uh oh- do rodents suffer from tick borne disease ? is 'myco' a ''zoonoses'' ?---------- i have come to believe almost everything is, no matter CDC i've travelled to many tropical, wild places..acquired several v strange -hard to detect/cure 'things' i use alot of 'astragalus', neem- know of safe way to bathe using some other than pharm stuff to rid them, & cage of any 'intruders? does anyone 'worm' routinely? ivermectin ? thanks so much for reply !
about 8 months ago
Chuu Mong
I have found, almost without fail, rats I get from a local pet store do not live past 2, if at all. While they are healthy enough looking (physically as well as mentally) as babies, they fail to reach a robust adult size regardless of what I feed them, and are prone to renal failure (the leading cause of death in my house) and other congenital conditions. This does not apply to every rat I have owned, but the great majority of them(as I am a sucker for buying feeders), and certainly all from a specific pet store.
I believe this is because these little guys were bred to be snake food, and since they were never intended to live past 6 months, lots of the adult- and late-adulthood- conditions were never 'bred out' of the strains, because the breeders were either unaware due to animals not living long enough for onset of the conditions, or simply do not care, because they are not catering to pet owners who want long-lived ratty companions.
People who breed rats as a Fancy(does it apply to rats? I know among us guinea pig breeders it is referred to as a "Fancy" to separate lovers of cavies from commerical breeders), however, do not want Rats who waste away from chronic congenital conditions, and will breed these tendencies out, making a rat with better mid- to late-life health and increased longevity. These rats are born because someone wants them, and they have great chances of their long life being a happy one with someone who loves them.
Which do you guys prefer? A genetically healthy rat who will be with you for longer, or a shorter-lived rescue who was condemned at birth to die?
about 8 months ago · · Report · Delete Post.Chuu Mong
Personally, while it breaks my heart, I am content with my saved ratties who have abbreviated lives (though I wish they were fatter... I love fat rats!).
I feel that even if they only live 18 months, that is 16 months longer than they had been fated to live, and if I can give them a good life in that brief time, I have done right by them...
While I really wish I could have a rat that lives longer, and would enjoy a well-handled baby from a breeder, I know these rats are more likely than not facing a rosier future than the feeder babies, and I do not feel I am failing a Show Rat by passing it by, whereas every time I walk away from a feeder baby, I am probably condemning it to a terrible fate.
While it hurts every time I lose a rat, I feel it is worth it in order to give just a few of these babies a chance to enjoy a happy existence before they pass on. Short and Sweet for me!
about 8 months ago
------------
Dantes Zaatara
waiting for good info/replies on this excellent post !
about 8 months ago
-----------
Carol Weekes
Not all pet store rats live short lives. Most of my rats (I've had almost 50 in the last ten years) came from pet store stock and most lived to between 20 and 29 months of age. At least half a dozen lived to 33 - 35 months old, even with tumors. So, it may have to do with the particular stock from the store where you're buying rats; they may be inbreeding too much and not out-crossing enough for healthier lines (not surprising with pet stores).
You may want to try to boost their immune systems with some natural products like turmeric, grapefruit seed extract, coriolus mushroom, inositol, etc. A strong immune system from the time they're young will give them more of a fighting chance against myco and other rat-related diseases.
Do whatever you feel your heart leads you to do. Pet store rats are sweet rats; as sweet as any other, although breeder rats are usually more handled from the time they're born and often less nervous; but pet store rats come around quickly enough.
And I agree; no matter what lifespan a rattie has - if that timeframe has been filled with love and good care, then it has been a successful life - which is what counts.
about 8 months ago
------------
Dantes Zaatara
thank you, i will ! & i'm going to try those for me, too ! -- i have late-stage'' lyme disease.. uh oh- do rodents suffer from tick borne disease ? is 'myco' a ''zoonoses'' ?---------- i have come to believe almost everything is, no matter CDC i've travelled to many tropical, wild places..acquired several v strange -hard to detect/cure 'things' i use alot of 'astragalus', neem- know of safe way to bathe using some other than pharm stuff to rid them, & cage of any 'intruders? does anyone 'worm' routinely? ivermectin ? thanks so much for reply !
about 8 months ago