When it rains it pours

[nancyo]

As you all know Guinea passed away almost two weeks ago. Tonight my little dumbo rattie passed away. Her name was Daisy and she was so sweet. Female rats are unfortunately prone to mammory tumors which she got and which had gotten huge. Even though I knew I was losing her she would still try to get up and see me. That's how devoted and sweet she was. RIP little Daisy.

Nancy

On a happier note I recently got a new rattie named Callie. She joins Iris my rat that is 1 year old. Rats are super sweet - unfortunately, they just don't live very long.

I think I've had my share now of losing pets.

[Paula]

Crap, Nancy, that sucks about Daisy. I have a friend who has several rats and she has all of her females spayed, in part, because it reduces their likelihood of developing tumors later in life.

Anyway, sorry to hear about your girl but congrats on Callie!

[Sef]

Oh no, Nancy. I'm so sorry about Daisy. I have always heard that ratties are so prone to that stuff...poor little things.

I'm so glad you got Callie. Pictures??

[bugsmom]

I'm sorry about Daisy. It's hard losing something you love. I hope Callie gives you joy.

[brendab]

So sorry Nancy!

[vanillapooh1979]

I am so sorry! It is not fair that our ratties have such short life spans.

[nancyo]

Thanks everyone - Daisy had a good life.

Paula I thought about spaying because I've heard it can cut down on the risk as well, but once I inquired about neutering my male rats and my exotic vet charged a frickin arm and a leg. It was ridiculous. I might call and ask though. Guinea's stone surgery was about $1000. It's such a rip off because my exotic vet is located at a 24 hour ER so the price is 2-3 times higher.

Nancy

ouch - I just called it's anywhere from $314 - $364 for just one rat.

[Paula]

Nancy that's nuts! Our vet charges $130 for a rattie neuter and like $150 or $160 for a spay. That includes anesthesia and everything! The only thing it might not include would be pain meds and subcue fluids, which are like about $10 and $18 respectively.

That is just insane. I can't believe they charge you that.

[sabrina]

I'm so sorry about Daisy. Rats are so darn cute. The dumbos have ears on the side of their head, right?

Congrats on Callie! I hope her and Iris will be bestest friends.

[cali2]

Sorry to hear about the loss of Daisy. Hopefully Callei will bring you joy just as Daisy did.

[nancyo]

You guys are so wonderful. Even though this is a guinea pig board I knew I could post about my rat because you all understand. Thank you so much everyone for the kind words.

Paula, it's like that everywhere in San Diego regarding pet care. My dog became obstructed in April. He had major abdominal surgery to the tune of almost $4,000 (thankfully, I have pet insurance). I was talking to some folks on my labrador forum that had gone through this, but they live in different states. Anywhere from $900 - $1800 for obstruction surgery. Honestly, how are we suppose to take care of our pets? I called my old exotic vet clinic and they charge $280.85 per rat. I may contact the lady in charge of a rescue for guinea pigs and rats and find out where she gets her rescue rats spayed. Sheesh.

Nancy

[Sef]

Ouch, Nancy! Those prices are awful! I know the cost of living is a lot lower here in the Midwest, but Sebastian's stone surgery was "only" $300. Actually, a little less than that...I think it was around $260.

I do seem to remember that a buddy of mine in New Jersey paid around $1200 for a guinea pig spay.

Yikes.

[vanillapooh1979]

I payed 50 per girl for their spays in Virginia. However that was through the rescue. Our Vet in NM was always s reasonable it is safe to say I had sticker shock at the vet in Virginia with my dog even with her VPI the things VPI doesnt cover are more expensive than I was used too. Now we are in Florida and it seems like the vet I am using is pretty reasonable. It is 80 dollars for a Guinea pig spay or neuter and the same for Ratties and Rabbits and cats.