Irish Rat Club
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

Surprise Pregnancy!

3 posters

Go down

Surprise Pregnancy! Empty Surprise Pregnancy!

Post by Bruxelle Wed Dec 11, 2013 11:08 am

Hi everyone. So I bought two rats a couple of months ago to add to my large new enclosure and two resident males. One of the new ones had been keeping to itself but it came out of hiding for a peanut today and is huge and very obviously pregnant.

It is quite apparent now that I had been sold 2 female rats and had them in with the males the whole time. I'm pretty pissed off with the pet shop as now I'm going to have a litter on my hands, or quite possibly two litters if the other one is pregnant too. I have the females separated into a different cage now from the males.

I think I'm going to have to give back the two females to the shop where I got them as I don't have the space to keep two separate enclosures.

Just wondering if anyone has any advice regarding care or how to deal with the pet shop that missold me my pets? I'm pretty pissed off as I have grown a bit attached to these two females now but i've no other option really.

Bruxelle
Newbie
Newbie

Posts : 4
Join date : 2013-09-28

Back to top Go down

Surprise Pregnancy! Empty Re: Surprise Pregnancy!

Post by DJF Wed Dec 11, 2013 11:47 am

This is really awful and I am very very sorry that your introduction to your two new rats has been so stressful.

Regarding the raising of a litter, Zoundz here will have all the information you require. Eoghan and Smokierat have also been through the accidental litter scenario and may have some advice for you.

I noted from your later post that you wish to rehome the girls and the litter instead of returning them to the shop. I commend you on this and hope that we can help you in any way we can with the rehoming. A member here called Bridgetc is looking for two male rats that you may be able to rehome to her. Another member, moomin, is also seeking some rat companions. I gather that the pups have not been born yet?

I get that you are frustrated and angry and I would certainly suggest going to the petshop to demand the extra cages and supplies you need to house the two females and litter. Others may have suggestions on the best way of doing this.

Please keep us updated here and I am sure that people will do their utmost to help and advise you.

Good Luck!
DJF
DJF
Oldie
Oldie

Posts : 311
Join date : 2012-12-19
Age : 39
Location : Dublin/Tipperary

Back to top Go down

Surprise Pregnancy! Empty Re: Surprise Pregnancy!

Post by Zoundz Wed Dec 11, 2013 12:00 pm

Where are you based? I'd be happy to take the two does and raise the litter and home them for you Smile I really would not recommend giving them back to the pet shop, they could end up in truly dire circumstances Sad

xx
Zoundz
Zoundz
Administrator
Administrator

Posts : 2043
Join date : 2011-09-25
Age : 39
Location : Clonakilty, West Cork, Ireland

http://www.irishrats.co.uk

Back to top Go down

Surprise Pregnancy! Empty Re: Surprise Pregnancy!

Post by Bruxelle Wed Dec 11, 2013 12:15 pm

Hi thanks a million for the offer its very kind. I'm very far away is the only problem. I'm in Leitrim and I dont drive so finding a lift would be difficult. I will definitely consider though. Would you still be interested once they are born? I would really like to keep two males as I have always found it impossible to find any well socialised rats. The only option is pet shop around here which I'm learning is such a bad way to go.

Bruxelle
Newbie
Newbie

Posts : 4
Join date : 2013-09-28

Back to top Go down

Surprise Pregnancy! Empty Re: Surprise Pregnancy!

Post by Zoundz Wed Dec 11, 2013 9:41 pm

The best option for good, well socialised, healthy rats, with good support throughout their lives is to go to a good breeder or good rescue. In Ireland at the moment, there is only us with regards to good breeders, and currently no active rescues (though there are people who do dabble a bit).

If these can be got to me I will take them to foster the litter(s) - and you'd be welcome to two boys back from the litter(s) however, I wouldn't want to take them all after they'd made it to 6 weeks, as it's not fair on them to upheave them all and their mums at that delicate stage, and I would rather they had been raised to my exacting standards if I was homing them using my normal procedure.

However, feel free to ask questions as much as you like re. feeding, and sexing etc - and we'll help you out as much as we can. You will need another couple of suitable birthing cages/tanks for the does though - and I suggest you demand them from the petshop, it's the bloody least they should be doing  Angry Angry  You need good sized cages (about 60cm minimum in length) with 1cm or less bar spacing (any larger and you will lose babies) - or good sized tanks of the same measurement.

I can help you raise them online, I can help guide you through it (probably best idea is to add me to Facebook too as I'm more quickly reached through there).

I presume you've taken them away from the boys already? Smile As for homing, you are welcome to advertise them here, and I will also give you my application form and contract if you want to vet the homes Smile

xx
Zoundz
Zoundz
Administrator
Administrator

Posts : 2043
Join date : 2011-09-25
Age : 39
Location : Clonakilty, West Cork, Ireland

http://www.irishrats.co.uk

Back to top Go down

Surprise Pregnancy! Empty Re: Surprise Pregnancy!

Post by Bruxelle Wed Dec 11, 2013 9:52 pm

Thanks so much, you are amazing! Theres no way I can get them down to cork though, even though i know they would be looked after there. I'm not working at the moment and I do love caring for them so if I can get an enclosure from the pet shop I think I will try to do it myself.

They had been in with the males since late aug and it seems that one of them is only pregnant a couple of weeks give or take a few days. The other one doesnt look as if she pregnant and one of the males was sniffing around her and pinning her yesterday after I took the pregnant one out.

So my question is, is it normal for them to be in with males that long and not be pregnant? I can't understand how I've had them over 3 months and this is only happening now. Im still holding out hope that the other one isn't pregnant!

Bruxelle
Newbie
Newbie

Posts : 4
Join date : 2013-09-28

Back to top Go down

Surprise Pregnancy! Empty Re: Surprise Pregnancy!

Post by Zoundz Wed Dec 11, 2013 10:05 pm

No - it would be unlikely alright. Can you get pictures of their genitalia? Smile

xx
Zoundz
Zoundz
Administrator
Administrator

Posts : 2043
Join date : 2011-09-25
Age : 39
Location : Clonakilty, West Cork, Ireland

http://www.irishrats.co.uk

Back to top Go down

Surprise Pregnancy! Empty Re: Surprise Pregnancy!

Post by Sponsored content


Sponsored content


Back to top Go down

Back to top

- Similar topics

 
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum