In Memoriam: Sable, the Dumbo Rat (Pictures)

[Doug]

I had a rather sad day today. I took my 2-year-old rat, Sable, in for her tumor removal surgery this morning. She had a fast-growing mammary tumor that had been getting quite large. They called earlier this afternoon to tell me that she'd come through surgery okay and was doing fine, and scheduled a pick-up time of 4:30. Then, about an hour ago, I got a call from the vet saying that about 30 minutes after her surgery, she passed away in the incubator.

It was really shocking because Sable was so bouncy and alert when I took her in this morning; it's a pretty routine surgery -- nine times out of ten, the tumors are benign -- and I've had several pet rats in the past that have come through it with flying colors. The vet seemed competent and caring, and said they average about 5 of these surgeries a month; she's the only exotic vet in the DeLand area. She also said she thought the tumor was cancerous and had become infected -- she said she'd poked it and it was full of puss, which possibly caused a septic reaction -- but they'll be doing a complimentary necropsy to make sure. Nonetheless, the bill was still $140, and I had to come home with an empty cage.

My other rat also needs the surgery, and now I'm a little scared to take her in. But I guess it's inevitable. Such is life -- especially with pet rats, whose life expectancy is only about 3 years. Tumors are almost guaranteed if you have a female pet rat that lives longer than 2 years.

Anyway, I wanted to post a picture of Sable as I remembered her: fearless and vivacious!

[Gus]

Doug, we're sorry for your loss.

God bless you and Sable.

[Doug]

Thanks, Gus. Losing a pet is never easy! Especially when it doesn't seem like it's their time to go.

[Suzanne C]

:(

[Maria de los Angeles]

So sorry, Doug! I'm sure Sable enjoyed her life with such a great and caring daddy.

[Doug]

Thanks, Maria. It's really amazing how much personality these little creatures have...and how they can be regarded as vermin yet be so lovable.

[Wants2GotoFL]

Hi Doug:

Sorry about your baby! It is so hard to lose them.

Feel better soon,
Cathy

[MiamiRentsAlot]

I'm sorry to hear your beloved Sable crossed The Rainbow Bridge. Pets are family too.

[Tere]

Oh Doug, I'm so sorry. Pets are members of our families, and their loss is always so painful and sad. My thoughts are with you!

[Doug]

Thanks, everyone. She will be missed. Part of the reason I wanted to share it here was to possibly hear from other people with pet rats or vets that have had/performed the tumor removal surgery. I was curious to know if this was an unusual outcome. I was wondering because she was so alert and active when I took her in. She was snatching crackers away from her cagemate when I fed them earlier that morning. The notes said she was under anesthesia for about 45 minutes and that the tumors were filled with "purulent" material, that she may have been septic or had other organ dysfunction. They also gave her a pain/anti-inflammatory injection. It was just odd that she was so lively going in, only to pass away 30 minutes after the surgery, even though the tumors (there were actually 3) were really quite large and required an 8 cm incision with 2 layer closure. I have to take the cagemate in next, because she needs the surgery, too, so any feedback would be really helpful.

[Suzanne C]

Talk about rock and a hard place...

I say Doug, since they have such a short life span and you did say it improves the quality of their life, take the cagemate in. You can't avoid the inevitable you know...Whether it happens at the vet's or in her cage, sadly her time will come too. :(

What's the other one's name?

I still have pics up of my first (and only) bebe to pass: Oakley. She was my furry furball who loved to give love. I acquired her in Gainesville with my calico Chabot. She too was rescued from a noisy, stinky kennel where she was sticky from pee and crap. I wasn't allowed to have pets in my apartment at that time but I couldn't stand seeing her so little and abused there. She was striped with a white diamond patch on her chest and so fluffy. She would sit on my lap, shoulder, face- whatever, every chance she got. This crazy cat would even jump in the bath tub- no cares about the water (NOTE: I bathe my cats regularly so they are not afraid of water). She drooled too; was gross- SUPER gross, but I wish she was still drooling on me today. I can't tell you how much I STILL miss her daily and it's been 8 years. She got out one day and was attacked by a loose dog. I almost killed the dog with a broom; not one of my finer moments but at least only one animal died that day. I buried her behind my apartment building so she's still 'close.'

[Doug]

Hi Suzy, the other one's name is Periwinkle (pictured below) with Sable. I know her time will come, too, soon enough, but I just want to be sure I'm placing her in capable hands in the meantime.

Sorry to hear about your cat. I had the same cat for 16 and a half years and he just died a few years ago, so I can relate. Having them go in a violent or unnecessary way is all the more disconcerting.

[Maria de los Angeles]

OMG the rats are so adorable. I had no idea they could be so cute, Doug. Yes, please take Periwinkle in and let's all pray for the best outcome.

Suzy, I am so sorry to hear about that.

I once found a dying cat in front of Tantra on South Beach. I took it to be euthanized at a late-night animal clinic. It cost me money I didn't even have. I don't remember every crying so much - and it wasn't even my pet!

[Doug]

More sad news. I took the other rat, Periwinkle, in this morning to the same vet to have her tumors removed. And I just got a call that she also passed away -- three hours after the surgery. The vet, though young, seemed very professional and caring -- so I am baffled about why this would happen again. I think this will be the end of pet rats for me, at least for a while.

[Maria de los Angeles]

Doug, my heart goes out to you. I am so very sorry.

[Suzanne C]

So very sorry to hear about your babies Doug.

:(

[Doug]

This is supposed to be a pretty routine surgery. One death might be a fluke, but two has me wondering about the vet's competency, even if her heart is in the right place. One advantage to living in a larger city is being able to find more options for veterinary care.

[Tere]

Oh, so sorry; what sad news.

[Wants2GotoFL]

Poor babies! Definitely time for a new vet.

[ratlover33]

sorry to hear about your loss.