Question on my two youngest ones.

Mon Feb 13, 2006 11:19 am

My youngest rat Mewtwo has had a belly on her for about 3 weeks and she don't seem to be getting bigger.
have some belly shots.

She's not showing signs she's preggy.Was wondering if it was normal?

My second youngest Kikyo is about 4 months now but She about the same size as Mewtwo who is half Kikyo's age.

Can rats be smaller than others?
Thank you.

_________________
Cats:5 Raistlin,Deanna,Itty-Bitty,Cat,Maxine
Rats:5 Inyuasha,Sesshomaru,Grisom,Sidle,Kikyo
New rats:2 Marowak and Mewtwo
R.I.P
Cat:Mousie
Rat:Vertalus,Mew,Porygon,Cubone

Mon Feb 13, 2006 11:48 am

Yes, rats can be dramatically different in sizes, even related ones. She looks like a pretty normal rat girl with a pretty normal (in my experience) pot belly!

I had two brothers - one reached 800 grams, the other never got past 500 grams. There can be a dramatic difference in sizes and shapes of rats, depending on lots of factors. Sometimes illness can be a factor, but sometimes it's simply genetics. Do you know how much your two girls weigh (Mewtwo and Kikyo)? Has Kikyo had any illnesses, been pregnant etc in the past? Does she seem overly skinny or boney? She looks pretty slender there and a little scruffy, but that could be her coat (if she's rex) and just the way she is or the angle she's sitting at.

_________________
Andy & The Rats

~ Darwin ~ Maisie ~ Ella ~ Zak ~

~ Finn ~ Malachi ~ Azrael ~ Newton ~ Charlie ~

Mon Feb 13, 2006 12:02 pm

I'm not really sure on weight.
I got Kikyo at a pet shop when she was 1 month so I don't know background just that the girl who works there breeds the rats.
Kikyo hasn't been sick,not sure on preggy.She is rather slender for her.(feels like she's losing weight)
She's a rex but losing some of her fur in places.

_________________
Cats:5 Raistlin,Deanna,Itty-Bitty,Cat,Maxine
Rats:5 Inyuasha,Sesshomaru,Grisom,Sidle,Kikyo
New rats:2 Marowak and Mewtwo
R.I.P
Cat:Mousie
Rat:Vertalus,Mew,Porygon,Cubone

Mon Feb 13, 2006 12:50 pm

Perhaps try feeding her up a little? Offer her some extra protein/calorie rich food to help build her up? But if she's suddenly started to lose weight, you might need to get her checked over - make sure there's nothing obvious that is preventing her from eating - both physical (such as teeth, mouth, jaw, abdominal, respiratory, front paw problems etc) and emotional (such as signs of depression, bullying etc). If you don't have any, get yourself some kitchen scales to weigh her - they're not too expensive (or don't need to be). Check her every few days to keep an eye on her weight (or perhaps even daily) and if she is losing weight, then get her checked over by the vet.

As an aside, keeping an eye on their weight often gives you a clue that they're not well, even before there's any really obvious problem or symptoms. Very often, people say "He/She suddenly lost lots of weight" but sometimes it's more gradual, but so slow you don't notice until a lot has gone, and it seems sudden... other times, they do lose the weight quickly during certain illnesses.

_________________
Andy & The Rats

~ Darwin ~ Maisie ~ Ella ~ Zak ~

~ Finn ~ Malachi ~ Azrael ~ Newton ~ Charlie ~

Mon Feb 13, 2006 1:13 pm

She's been drinking ok.
One of our newest Marowak likes to pick on Mewtwo and Kikyo untill our Matrearch Sidle steps in and protects her two 'babies'.
I just really noticed her losing weight,she seems happy when with Mewtwo and Sidle.
Can go in morning and get some scales to keep track of her weight.Actully might do for all just in case.
Thank you for advice

*update*
I think I know problem.Kikyo's teeth are very long and she seems to have a hard time eating.She's going to see vet today

_________________
Cats:5 Raistlin,Deanna,Itty-Bitty,Cat,Maxine
Rats:5 Inyuasha,Sesshomaru,Grisom,Sidle,Kikyo
New rats:2 Marowak and Mewtwo
R.I.P
Cat:Mousie
Rat:Vertalus,Mew,Porygon,Cubone

Tue Feb 14, 2006 4:05 am

Update.
She has pneumonia.On Baytril and seclusion.
Have to go back Fri to get teeth done cause they too long

_________________
Cats:5 Raistlin,Deanna,Itty-Bitty,Cat,Maxine
Rats:5 Inyuasha,Sesshomaru,Grisom,Sidle,Kikyo
New rats:2 Marowak and Mewtwo
R.I.P
Cat:Mousie
Rat:Vertalus,Mew,Porygon,Cubone