I knew I was in for a string of losses due to having a few older rats, but having lost a couple unexpedidly It's beginning to tear me apart a little. Through the past 2 months I have experienced 2 sudden losses (young girls), 2 old girls come into rescue and passing before leaving foster care, 1 expected loss (a permanent girl with a large lump) 1 neutered buck whom age was unknown but unexpected and 1 older girl whom went downhill seriously and died in my arms last night.
When people say on here that you have to be aware of having a large group of the same age because of vet bills it is because that it is true! I had a very well bonded retirement group and after loosing the first oldie, the others gradually went downhill. I think grief acted as a catalyst for some of them. It's absolutely torn me apart recently because it seems to be one after another.
When I lost my 10 month old parkie (nearly alpha) my whole girl group went downhill. Several young and fit girls had a myco flare up due to the stress and haven't been themselves. They are only just starting to settle again now.
My bank account has been destroyed of late not only because of the vet treatment from the 7 that I have lost, but because of the grief and stress on the others. Over half of my rats have been struck by grief and upset. Luckily I am able to buy Baytril by the bottle so I can self treat and don't have to have a consult fee every time I have a myco flare up.
This is a waffle of a post. But I wanted to highlight the need of having an adequate vet fund, and the importance of having differing ages within groups. I've become so paranoid about my rats health at the momant, but saying that all my deaths have been of differing symptoms. I just had a lot of oldies whose time had come

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