Oliver

**Little Cricket** · 08-21-2009, 03:46 PM

I came home to find one of my rats, Oliver, dead. He was born around January of '08, so he wasn't very old, and last night he seemed totally fine when I let him out and put him away.

He was never very friendly and I never really held him because I'm pretty allergic, but I feel just awful. He wasn't acting old or sick, so I feel like it must be my fault...

**Barb** · 08-21-2009, 04:53 PM

Sorry to hear it LC. But I doubt it was your fault. I didn't think rats lived much longer than a year or so anyway though...but I could be wrong.

**Lovebirdfan** · 08-21-2009, 05:21 PM

I am sorry to hear about Oliver. He probably had something wrong internally, such as a tumor. I'm sure you gave him a happy, loving home.
Hugs,
karen

**james' flock** · 08-21-2009, 05:23 PM

really sorry. its not your fault. i dont know about rats but birds dont show there sick untill theyre about to topple over pretty much, its nautral instinct.

**Limpyduckling** · 08-21-2009, 06:32 PM

sorry to hear about oliver

**Faithly** · 08-21-2009, 09:32 PM

Sorry for your loss, too.

Please don't blame yourself.

Rest well, Oliver.

**di_dee1** · 08-21-2009, 10:41 PM

Sorry for your loss.

**~Lori~** · 08-22-2009, 04:31 AM

So sorry LC

RIP Oliver.

He was actually getting old for a rat(16 months). On rodent forums, 2 years is good for rats. One I belonged to had a thread for "oldest rats" 2-3 years was less common, 18 -20 months was more common.

**Little Cricket** · 08-22-2009, 07:56 AM

I know that he was getting into the danger zone, it's just such a shock because he wasn't acting old; no trouble moving his hind legs (common problem with older boys) and nothing else that would really make me think he was about to go... I guess considering that he was a rescue baby from a rat who gave birth in a shelter, I shouldn't have expected him to live to be 2 or 3, but when you hear about rats reaching 6 or 7, 1.5 seems really young...

**WyleeWhippets** · 08-23-2009, 09:21 AM

RIP Oliver. I'm sorry you lost him, LC. One of my boys, Mouse, only lived about 14 months. He, too, showed no signs of any health issues. I know how you feel. Some can live so long, unfortunately, most do not.

**bookfoxx1987** · 08-23-2009, 09:46 AM

I'm sorry for your loss, LC.

**rottncosmo** · 08-24-2009, 05:09 PM

Sorry for your loss.

R.I.P. Oliver

**boomer girl** · 08-24-2009, 05:29 PM

I am sorry for your loss. Oliver knew he was loved, anyone in your family of pets has to feel the love your family gives to them LC so never blame yourself, you give them amazing homes. HUGS!

**Stewieandkiwis'mom** · 08-24-2009, 09:44 PM

So sorry for your loss. I know how it feels to lose ratties as I had 13 of them at one point. I too felt your pain when my last two died what I thought prematurely. Ben and Socrates were brothers and a little over a year old when they died. I had put my older rat Spunky to sleep a week before because of a large inoperable tumor and he was the brothers cage mate. About a week later Ben died mysteriously with no signs of being ill, just curled up in his hammock like he was asleep. Needless to say I was devestated thinking that it was my fault somhow. I still don't know what caused his death except maybe a genetic heart defect? About a month after Ben my final rat Socrates passed on as mysteriously as his brother. They were very young and seemed very healthy in outward appearance so I believe it may have been congenital like a heart defect or something. I haven't had rats for a while bcause their lives are so short, but boy do they live it to the fullest. My youngest rat Darla died of a pituitary tumor at only 11 months old and my oldest old man rat died after a long life at 3 years 2 months so their lifespan does vary. I think I over did it though when I got so many so close in age. They all started getting old at the same time and for quite a few months I was losing them very close together. Having to make a decision to put them to sleep because they were suffering was the hardest things I had to do. It actually put me into a minor depression myself I believe. What almost threw me over the edge was when I had to put the last of my girls to sleep. Sugar and Willow had huge reoccuring tumors and little Buffy had severe bumblefoot. Thier quality of life was all going away and I knew that they wouldn't be happy without each other so I made the call to have all three put to sleep together, probably the toughest thing I had to do as a pet owner. I love rats and think they are some of the greatest pets that are often misunderstood, but I did have to take a break from them because of the deaths. The hardest thing was hearing, "it's only a rat" by many people. Don't let anyone tell you it's only a rat. They have some of the sweetest endearjng personalities in a small pet, the equivalent of a dog in some cases. Again I am so sorry for the loss of little Oliver. He has lots of ratties to welcome him at the rainbow bridge.

**sunbirdx** · 08-25-2009, 08:55 AM

I know exactly how you feel, LC. My last two ratties died way young, at least I thought so, they were both about 18 months old. Myco took them in about 4 days. I have had such problems with rats in the last few years, that I just decided to quit keeping them. I actually got Enoki as a "rat replacement"...that is, a small, cuddly pet that wouldn't die after a year.

I am absolutely sure it wasn't your fault, and we all know you take amazing care of all of your pets. I am sure Oliver knew he was well loved.