Soft Goodbye - Proper Rat Euthanization by a Vet
Like 4 Dislike 0 Published on 1 Nov 2014
PLEASE READ - This is one two basic ways that vets use to put down PET rats. Anesthesia should be used so your rat simply sleeps and feels nothing (their eyes will stay open which is normal. when humans go into surgery, their eyes are taped shut for the same reason).
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Many vets still simply jab a needle into your rat while he or she is wide awake to feel all the pain, the lungs collapsing, and the terror, just because it is cheaper.
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Don't be afraid to ask how your vet intends to help your friend pass on, especially since you may not be allowed to watch due to different policies of different vet offices. If they say "a quick and simple heart stick" demand that your pet rat be anesthetized first. It will cost a little more but it is worth it.
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In the video, you will see Elise gasp for air at one point, but that is because she was on her side and her tumors were compressing her lungs. If she hadn't been anesthetized, she would have fought to get back on her tummy immediately.
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Elise was 36 months old in this video. She had three large tumors and various small ones. Normally, i would have had the tumors removed from my lovely rat but hers developed when she was about 32 months old, and she would not have made it thru the surgery because of her age. Tumors are not an instant death sentence, and in most cases are not painful for the rat, just an annoyance.
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I have heard from many people of their rats living 5-6 years. My rats are all adopted from rescues, given a second chance to have a good life. They usually come from homes that don't give them good care, bred from parents living in the worst conditions with no concern for their health so I feel blessed for whatever time they can be with me.