Anyone have Ratties?

[MammaKim]

I have 3. A 2 pound BIG boy named Fugly and 2 females, a double rex dumbo hooded and a blue top eared. Monica, the blue, had to go to the vet yesterday for pyometra. Does anyone have any experience with this? She is being treated with Sulfatrim twice daily. The vet is also recommending having her spayed, and thinks she may be a hermaphrodite! Funny thing about Monica is that about 2 weeks ago, her fur started getting what appeared to be testosterone oil on it, and now she has brownish/reddish spots of thinning fur. The vet had no clue why...nor do I. I have had rats since I was a kid and never had anything like this happen. So, anyone ever experience this or having their rattie spayed? (My male was a rescue and had always been a sole rat, so he is without a cagemate.) Also, she is housed with Sophie, is there risk of infection? I did ask at the vet, but no one was really sure. (I have a feeling that not many rats are treated...)

Anyway, thanks for any feedback. I love my ratties! They live in a double ferret nation cage, my male on the bottom and the girls on the top. They sleep (eat, poop, pee...lol!) on fleece, although the girls are pretty much box trained. Fugly however, not so much!

[Emmilyy]

Hi ! i don't have any advice as to what to do with Monica, but just wanted to say that I love rats too! I used to have a big boy named Waffles, but he died a few years ago D: he lived to be about 3-4. He was a SWEETHEART. i dont think he EVER bit anyone! Rats are awesome, and i think its sad how most people dont understand they make great pets! Whenever people found out I had a rat, they were like EW! I would try to convince people they make great pets but i gave up because no one beleived me or wanted to listen to why they make such great pets. I would LOVE to have another rat, or even a family of them, but i dont think that will happen anytime soon.. :(

You should post pics of your ratties! This was Waffles, i miss him.. D:

[MammaKim]

Waffles is adorable!!!! I will take some pictures of my crew...I lost them all off my computer about a week ago when I lost everything! Fugly is an older rat. We have had him for about 2 years, and he was (I was told) about a year when we got him. None of my crew are agressive either. I hear you about the ick factor froom other people! I worked at a job that I was not *allowed* to share that I owned rats! The owner thought it would look bad on her for some reason... They are such great companions and such wonderful pets!

[Falsk]

Aww, while I can't help with your question, I will say in college I helped my friend adopt a baby rat at our local shelter. I didn't know much about them, but I was grateful to learn through my friend. She was dubbed Tumblepumpkin and was the sweetest thing. He wore a bathrobe while at home and she would either perch on his shoulder or curl up in the breast pocket. There were eight of us living in this big house in Philly and while watching TV she would run across all our shoulders for little pets.

It broke our hearts when she died suddenly only six or so months later. We buried her in the front lawn and had everyone come over a service. She was definitely a great a pet and changed how I thought of rats (though who could think ill of them after seeing 'Ratatouille'? ;) )

[Ashling]

I had two rats when I was younger- Icubee (white) and Abadon (black and white hooded). They never bit anyone either and were big fat couch potatoes. I would take Incubee to the park to run on the grass and out to shopping centers hidden in my clothes. I also made little clothes for him and he loved the attention. I really do miss having rats, it's a shame they have such short lifespans. I hope your girl gets better sorry I can't help.