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What is the proccess of a rat dieing of old age2007-11-24 22:17:38

Male rats suffer from spinal cord degeneration which causes their hindquarters to become paralyzed. Females get mammary tumors (these you can see) and pituitary tumors.

My very first rat, Willow, died on her first birthday from Myco. Myco is the #1 killer of pet rats and this disease can catch young and old rats alike. Some rats die without ever showing clinical symptoms of this disease. Some rats die of sudden heart attack without ever showing clinical signs.

The majority of my rats die peacefully at home, among family and friends, with the help of holistic means. They go into a coma-like state.

Edit: I want to add, it was 3:00am when I answered your question, it was nothing that you did or didn't do to cause your rat's death. It just is with rats. We enjoy every moment we can with them for as long as they are with us. I know it hurts, I never get over it, and you are questioning life and death, but you will know in your heart when it is time to bring other rats into your home.

spazrats

"my life has gone to the rats"

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I'm sorry to hear of your loss. The life span of a rat is usually longer than 1 year. There is not much information about your rats behavior. If ratty was coughing, sneezing or wheezing rat may have had a myco infection. If ratty had large visible tumors I think you would have mentioned it. Maybe ratty fell from a shelf and seemed fine at the time but had internal injuries. Sometimes they get pituitary tumors. Sometimes they can have a stroke. If the nutrition was way off, a dietary need for certain nutriments is a possibility. If ratty was very overweight it could have been heart failure. If the little rascal did not have a companion, perhaps loneliness. If you get another rat make sure you get 2 of the same gender. Good luck!