Rat Stuff

Yesterday two of my rats died from different illnesses, so I've decided not to go to a gaming day today. Too sad and a little on edge regarding a couple of the others. My oldest rat, Ash, a solid black gent whom I adopted not long before Christmas last year, is getting on for fragile and elderly. I've had to do triage as I don't have enough antibiotic for everyone, though several are wheezy, and give it to Ash, until I'm sure of being able to get to my regular vets (on holiday) and stock up.

Ash is a rather shy rat who doesn't put himself forward but has belatedly discovered he enjoys being petted and will sit on my shoulder for as long as I'll let him.

Then there's Benny, my youngest rat at about 18 months, who has lost weight and become congested. The vet believes it isn't myco, but rather that Benny has an internal problem, perhaps a tumour. This sort of guessing is par the course as far as rats go, since they're too small to do most of the usual medical stuff.

Two girl rats have just arrived to stay for a week while their owner is away. They're charming and bouncy and I think have already scented the boys across the room. Owner has been warned that my boys have no sense of responsibility and don't pay child support!