Unfortunately we lost our little dear Lotta today :*(
Her foster noticed a few days ago that she wasn't quite herself and when she palpated her tummy she discovered a mass. She went to see the vet the next day who wanted to wait a day and see if it might be an obstruction that might pass. But she didn't get better and so we made the decision to send her into surgery today. We knew there was a good chance that she wouldn't survive surgery or that there was nothing that the vet could do but it was a chance we had to take as she was in discomfort and something had to be done. Either to put her down or to take a chance. We decided to take the chance... As soon as the vet cut her open he realized that her belly was full of cancer. We made the decision to let her go and not let her wake up from surgery.
People's reaction to her death is "Why Lotta!?!?!". Every single rattie is special, no doubt about that. But some ratties in rescue went through such horrible things in their past that you just want them to be healthy and happy for a long long time so that we can all try and make up a bit for the horrors they went through. Lotta was one of those ratties.
She was seized by the SPCA last February from a woman who was found guilty to cruelty against animals back in 2008 and as per court order is not allowed to have any pets for 10 years. Clearly she was in violation of that court order and we are glad she was caught and that the SPCA seized the rats. The SPCA asked us to please take the 6 in which we gladly did! All 6 rats were in rough shape, they had fur and mange mites, respiratory problems, their coats were a mess. Lotta and Helga were in a cage with Harold so both girls needed emergency spays.
When they first came in
While Helga, Arja & Helmut recovered quickly and were adopted, Lotta and Harold kept on having issues - They were urinating blood. Eventually a urinalysis showed that they had a rare bacteria in their intestines that was resistant to most common antibiotics out there. Once we finally had the right antibiotics they got healthy and at least got to enjoy a few months in foster care where they were spoiled rotten and much loved. Despite everything she went through, she was just a wonderful, sweet girl! And now she's gone and it's just not fair :*( RIP little girl, we already miss you!
Meanwhile Harold her partner in crime is left behind all alone. Those of you who have/had bonded pairs know how extremely hard it is for the rattie that is left behind. We are urgently looking for a forever home for him with one (or more) spayed girls. We don't think he'd be ok with another male but he is really kind and attentive to his spayed lady friends. Please get in touch with us if you think you could offer Harold a forever home! He is a wonderful sweet, gentle, handsome boy!
