Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / March 2005

Sorry to hear that Dave, I've had a few sudden deaths of what seemed to be
healthy rats - but it is rare.  My friends have always maintained that
whenever they've had very hyperactive rats, they haven't lived very long -
almost as if they burn out very quickly.  The only consolation is that he
had a happy, if short, life and that a protracted illness wasn't his fate as
it is with so many.  Very nice photos too - he looked like a real character!

Marian

OH NO!!!!!  How horrible!  Dave I am so sorry.  This just stinks.  All I can
say is that at least Louie had proper care and love at the end of his life.
This almost exact thing happened to me last fall when I adopted "Hailey", a
1-year old female.  She was with me just a month, had a terrible lice
infestation for which I treated her, made several trips to the vets etc.  I
finally introduced her to Maggie, they were together about a week and then
one night I took her out for play time, put her down on the floor, she had
some type of siezure and was dead in about 30 seconds.  I was absolutely
horrified and felt a strange sense of loss.  Even though she wasn't with me
long, I had high hopes of getting to know her, and then that was taken away.
I too was told that this kind of sudden death among rats is rare, but I just
got unlucky I guess, as did you.

The work you did with Louie to make his last days good is to be commended.
Again, I am very sorry.

Meghan

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Thank you for sharing him with us.
You sound like a wonderful man!

Hugs,
Lynn
kitty

OMG... I'm so sorry. :(

"David Baxter"

That should always be ones reaction to
dying..."What the hell?" <hugs> <scritchies>

Oh no, I'm so sorry.  It's never easy losing a pet but when it happens so
out of the blue like that it's particularly hard.  Louie was lucky to have
been rescued by you for his last few weeks and you did a stoical job with
him.  It's just a shot in the dark, but I wonder if maybe Louie had some
sort of neurological disorder that caused his tempermental behaviour and
then eventually killed him.

Rest in peace little Louie.  And take care Dave - I hope you will consider
rat rescuing again one day as you were so patient and caring with Louie.

Tracey

Oh David - I am so sorry to hear of Louie's passing ;o(

I've been so busy in my personal life recently and haven't had much time to
come in and chat, but I've lurked lots and have followed your posts and
admired how you were trying so hard to tame little Louie.

My thoughts are with you tonight x

So sorry to hear, David.  I lost my lovely Jack nearly the same way a number
of years ago.  I still miss him.

My sympathy Dave. I lit a candle for Louie.  At least he knew love.

Julia
and the Rat Pack