This morning started off with a sad note. Tweek and Zelda, two independent rattie girls were PTS this morning. Dr. S. at SWAH helped them to the bridge for me with the wonderful tech, J. This was my first experience with the anesthesia chamber. I think I do like the sedative better but this was ok for these girls, particularly Tweek as due to her heart condition, was congested so it was a better way to do this. Zelda joins her sister Samantha at the bridge. Tweek joins her cage mate Ruthie, and of course Zelda, at the bridge.
Their remains were immediately taken to the Oregon Humane Society for private cremation.
This cage of girls is survived by a single member, Sprite. She herself suffers from chronic respiratory issues and takes medicine twice a day and will for the remainder of her life. Luckily she is really good about it and holds the syringe to her mouth herself.
Today I did my first home visit for Little Mischief Rescue. I was honored that they asked me. I hope this brings a pair of girls in rescue one step closer to their forever home. So the day for ratties wrapped up on a positive note.
Rest in peace Tweek and Zelda.
The lives of the lovable vermin of F.A.T.E.
Showing posts with label -d_Zelda(r). Show all posts
Showing posts with label -d_Zelda(r). Show all posts
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Sunday, November 23, 2008
0410 Hours, Ruthie Departs
I usually sleep downstairs in my recliner due to my back and acid reflux. When I have sick ratties, they also sleep in the cage right next to me. At about 0333 hours, I woke up to a noise of crying. I looked in the cage. Sprite, another little sick girl, was dancing around the cage, clearly agitated. I located Ruthie on the other side of the igloo. Her eyes looking sadly back at me. My heart started to cry. I picked her up and cuddled her close in a blanket. I told her how happy I was she came into my life and that I hope her friends had made her happy. The nearest 24 hour vet is at least 20 minutes away. And like Mr. Chuckles, I would rather she have me hold her than be scared in a car with no one holding her. So here we sat. She passed at 0410 hours.
Ruthie came to me in a round-a-bout way. A woman had contacted Quality Cage asking about rat information and they referred her to me. I spoke with her and eventually she asked that I take Ruthie. Ruthie didn't get on very well in my one cage of girls, so I made her boss of another cage. She lived with Tweek and Sprite. Eventually Zelda joined them when her cage mate passed.
So Ruthie will await private cremation at the Oregon Humane Society. I refused to take a picture of Ruthie after she became sick because she never held still long enough for me to take shots when she was healthy.
The only shot I have is with her in her cage after her and her cage mates decided to make a tent with their first hammock. They eventually learned that snuggling in the hammock was a lot more fun than making a tent. She is tucked in there right next to the "tent."
Rest in peace little Ruthie. I'm sure you'll get as many sunflower seeds as you want now.
Ruthie came to me in a round-a-bout way. A woman had contacted Quality Cage asking about rat information and they referred her to me. I spoke with her and eventually she asked that I take Ruthie. Ruthie didn't get on very well in my one cage of girls, so I made her boss of another cage. She lived with Tweek and Sprite. Eventually Zelda joined them when her cage mate passed.
So Ruthie will await private cremation at the Oregon Humane Society. I refused to take a picture of Ruthie after she became sick because she never held still long enough for me to take shots when she was healthy.
The only shot I have is with her in her cage after her and her cage mates decided to make a tent with their first hammock. They eventually learned that snuggling in the hammock was a lot more fun than making a tent. She is tucked in there right next to the "tent."
Rest in peace little Ruthie. I'm sure you'll get as many sunflower seeds as you want now.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Samantha and Tweek News
Well, Tweek gave us quite a scare on Monday. Doctor called and said he was prepping her for surgery and after he shaved her, she stopped breathing. He brought her back and said he wanted her on heart medication for a few days and then they would try the surgery again. Her tumor was a damned if you do and damned if you don't tumor as it was already getting very large and it would kill her sooner than her heart would. I gave her medication, Lasix and Enapril. Diuretic and a blood pressure medication. She had her surgery rescheduled for Thursday. I asked if they could see Sam then (Sam's appointment was made for Saturday). They moved her to Thursday too.
I was anxious at work while I knew Tweek was going under. After lunch I just couldn't wait any longer so I called them. Tweek had made it through surgery and was waking up. Phew. Doctor was examining Sam.
Doctor called about 10 minutes later. Tweek was waking up fine and was still a bit groggy. But Sam was the bad news. Her tumor was really bad news.
I originally noticed a slight oddness in her walk and in the alignment of her leg. When I made Tweek's surgical appointment, before the Mercer Island, Washington rat show, I tried to get Sam in to be seen that same day but no openings. But I was able to get her in when Tweek went in for her second attempt. By the time she got into the vet (2 days before her original appointment), the "oddness" with her leg had gotten bigger and worse. The news from the doctor was grim.
At the very least he would have to amputate the leg. But he was certain he couldn't get all of it and he was really certain it was one of 2 cancers, possibly three. The tumor was very deep and so wrapped around the leg he was certain it was already in the body as well. He said he'd do the surgery, but he couldn't promise anything. I asked how long she had without the surgery. He said possibly 2 months. So we made the choice to give her hospice. I want her last bit of time on earth to be happy with her sister and helping her sister adjust to getting used to new ratties so when Sam has to leave, Zelda would be ok.
So here it is, late Saturday night, and I'm rearranging the rattie room to accommodate this tragedy. The upside is that I'm glad Sam and Zelda have been with me since 6 months of age. I originally adopted them from the Oregon Humane Society and we got off to a rocky start but they're wonderful little girls. They are now only 13 months old.
By rocky start I mean I didn't take the cage with them when I adopted them from the Humane Society. That was a mistake. Zelda pouted for 18 hours. As long as it took me to get her home and in her new cage until the next evening when I got home from work and went in to check on her to see if she was still pouting as she was that morning. I broke down and went to Petco and found the same cage only bigger. After putting her in that, she stopped pouting. Now she is completely out of that cage, but has a similar wheel--that's how she keeps her girlish figure. Of course Sam usually runs on it with her. Now Sam doesn't run on the wheel, but she does get on it and walk.
I hope Zelda is okay when Sam has to go. I think this time will allow Sam to prepare Zelda. I think they know.
I've lost one mouse by walking in and finding that he had passed. I lost my very first rat, Pokey, in 1994, when I walked in and she had died at 9 months of age. I've lost 2 senior boys adopted this past July. One passed in my arms at home, the other at the vets when I had him PTS. I honestly can't say it is easy, but I do prefer being there when they pass so they know they aren't alone.
I wish this was a happier post. I thought I would be happy about getting the room done this weekend, but it isn't as exciting with the knowledge that Sam won't really get to play in it for very long.
One saddened Rat Slave says goodnight.
I was anxious at work while I knew Tweek was going under. After lunch I just couldn't wait any longer so I called them. Tweek had made it through surgery and was waking up. Phew. Doctor was examining Sam.
Doctor called about 10 minutes later. Tweek was waking up fine and was still a bit groggy. But Sam was the bad news. Her tumor was really bad news.
I originally noticed a slight oddness in her walk and in the alignment of her leg. When I made Tweek's surgical appointment, before the Mercer Island, Washington rat show, I tried to get Sam in to be seen that same day but no openings. But I was able to get her in when Tweek went in for her second attempt. By the time she got into the vet (2 days before her original appointment), the "oddness" with her leg had gotten bigger and worse. The news from the doctor was grim.
At the very least he would have to amputate the leg. But he was certain he couldn't get all of it and he was really certain it was one of 2 cancers, possibly three. The tumor was very deep and so wrapped around the leg he was certain it was already in the body as well. He said he'd do the surgery, but he couldn't promise anything. I asked how long she had without the surgery. He said possibly 2 months. So we made the choice to give her hospice. I want her last bit of time on earth to be happy with her sister and helping her sister adjust to getting used to new ratties so when Sam has to leave, Zelda would be ok.
So here it is, late Saturday night, and I'm rearranging the rattie room to accommodate this tragedy. The upside is that I'm glad Sam and Zelda have been with me since 6 months of age. I originally adopted them from the Oregon Humane Society and we got off to a rocky start but they're wonderful little girls. They are now only 13 months old.
By rocky start I mean I didn't take the cage with them when I adopted them from the Humane Society. That was a mistake. Zelda pouted for 18 hours. As long as it took me to get her home and in her new cage until the next evening when I got home from work and went in to check on her to see if she was still pouting as she was that morning. I broke down and went to Petco and found the same cage only bigger. After putting her in that, she stopped pouting. Now she is completely out of that cage, but has a similar wheel--that's how she keeps her girlish figure. Of course Sam usually runs on it with her. Now Sam doesn't run on the wheel, but she does get on it and walk.
I hope Zelda is okay when Sam has to go. I think this time will allow Sam to prepare Zelda. I think they know.
I've lost one mouse by walking in and finding that he had passed. I lost my very first rat, Pokey, in 1994, when I walked in and she had died at 9 months of age. I've lost 2 senior boys adopted this past July. One passed in my arms at home, the other at the vets when I had him PTS. I honestly can't say it is easy, but I do prefer being there when they pass so they know they aren't alone.
I wish this was a happier post. I thought I would be happy about getting the room done this weekend, but it isn't as exciting with the knowledge that Sam won't really get to play in it for very long.
One saddened Rat Slave says goodnight.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Tumors Suck
I'm so bummed. I found a tumor on Tweek and she is having surgery on Monday, March 17th. Today, while doing the weekly check on Sam, I found a tumor on her back leg. I'm so bummed. Sam will go for her pre-op appointment on next Saturday. Poor little girl. I feel bad because her cage mate, Zelda, will be by herself. I'm thinking I should introduce her to the other two girls so she can start bonding with them and then introduce Sam and Tweek to the three of them. That would be good for all of them to have so many companions of varying ages. We shall see how it goes. Tumors suck. I don't care if they are benign or not, they suck.
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