This section may be painful for many people, but - sadly - it is something we may all have to think about at some time. Our beloved rats need our support and comfort more than ever at the end of their lives. Let's not fail them.
The hardest part of caring for a beloved companion is knowing when to let go. Your rat may let you know when he’s had enough, and will stop eating and drinking. If he shows no interest in life and has no quality of life left, if he is suffering or in pain, and if you have tried every option to make his life easier and improve his health, you have to offer one last kindness … and let go. Although we all want what's best for our rats, I sometimes wonder if we are not a little too hasty in having them put to sleep. Just because a rat is old and less mobile, even paralyzed from the waist down, it doesn't mean it's the end of his life. If your rat is not in pain, if he is still interested in food and doing the things he used to do, and if you can put in the time and effort - he can live happily for many months. Virtually all of my rats over the last couple of years have died at home, in my arms, and that is the way I believe they would have liked it to be. The stress of traveling to the vet's surgery, all of the strange sounds and scents, and being removed from the home he is comfortable and safe in - that can't be what your rat would want. A disabled rat can be helped by you, even to wash himself and feed himself. Neurological diseases, including some pituitary tumors, can be treated (although not cured) with steroids and your rat can live happily, if a little wobbly, for weeks or even months. You will need to give him a lot of time and attention, but I believe it's the best way. Take a look at the section on Caring for the Elderly or Sick Rat.
Here is my beloved Morpheus, who was almost 4 years old. He lost all use of his hind quarters, but lived happily - with my help - for the last few months of his life. He passed away, peacefully in my arms, soon after this photo was taken. He was a magnificent rat, a real Babe, and I miss him to this day!!! One common, but barbaric - in my opinion, form of euthanasia is an injection directly into the heart or liver whilst the rat is fully awake. Most of the needles are far too large and it is very painful and distressing for a small animal. After all the suffering your rat has gone through, it is far kinder to allow him to go to sleep – with a little help. Ask your vet to put your rat into the oxygen tank and to let in the anesthetic slowly. Make your rat comfortable, with his bedding, and in his own nest box if possible. Alternatively, a hood can be placed over your rat’s head and anesthetic administered while you hold and stroke him. When your rat is fully anaesthetized, your vet can then administer the injection. Your rat should be fully anaesthetized at this point so that he won’t feel anything. Grief is a very natural and important stage we all go through after the loss of a loved one, and make no mistake about it – losing a pet is a tragic bereavement and we need to grieve for our loss. Don’t be afraid to show your feelings. It is not a failing to have cared for and loved a companion, whether he be human or animal. Your rat will always be in your memories, and in time you will remember the good days. How he used to play with a particular toy, or gnaw through your favourite book. These are the good memories. No one can take those away. Rats also grieve for their cage-mates, and will often rush around looking into the places they used to snuggle or play. A bereaved rat can suffer just as we do. Give them extra love and snuggles to help them get over the loss too. Some say it has helped their remaining rats if the body of the deceased rat is laid in the cage with them for a short while. This way, they learn that their friend hasn’t simply deserted them. Of course, this is entirely up to you, and some people may not feel comfortable with this. This is completely understandable. Guilt is also a normal reaction, and we all feel that we didn’t do enough, or we should have done something differently. Don’t beat yourself up with guilt. Remember, you gave your rat the greatest gift when it mattered. You let go. |
