RatPalace.com - Pet Rat Care and Discussion

Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:29 am

Hi, I am new here. I just worried about my 11 week old female who is due to give birth in 2 days. I know she is young. What are her chances of complications? I am very new to rats, I have enjoyed them immensely! If anyone can tell me their opinions. I dont want her to encounter any problems. I probably wont be home when she gives birth, My son will be in the hospital recovering from sugery and i will be with him. Am i being over worried? Thanks in advance!

shauna

Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:42 am

Many rats will deliver fine, though being young isn't ideal. We had a post recently about birth complications - http://www.ratpalace.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=23412&highlight= has some suggestions and links.

Often, they will go ahead and birth rats while you are out or overnight.... and hopefully she's large enough at 11 weeks to have no problems (and hopefully a smaller litter). Be sure to have her in a comfortable birthing tank by now, so that she will be on her own - I don't know if you have her with another rat, but they can mate with 24 hours or so of delivery, so make sure she's not going to be able to get close to any male rats.

Good luck with your son, and the rat birth - and welcome to RP.

_________________
Andy & The Rats

~ Darwin ~ Maisie ~ Ella ~ Zak ~

~ Finn ~ Malachi ~ Azrael ~ Newton ~ Charlie ~

Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:48 am

Hi, thanks for replying.. Yes, i put her into her own cage just tonight. She is very active, and is used to having an open cage with access to our "play table". Her belly isnt too big, I assume only a few babys in there. I dont plan on letting her get pregnant again. I already got my male and female separated. I got a younger male just last week to stay with my older male, so he wont get lonely. I am still hoping to see the birth, but really just want it to go well. I guess i am worrying for nothing. I will post in a couple days if all goes well. Thanks

shauna

Mon Feb 13, 2006 3:50 pm

Good Morning! It looks like my pregnant female might possible have a couple babies today. She has some light pink discharge this morning. I assume she only will have a couple babies since her stomach is quite small. I would like it better for her to have a small litter considering her size. Is that blood i saw this morning her water breaking?, should i let her out of her cage today for play time? any advice would be great!,, thanks again

Mon Feb 13, 2006 4:00 pm

Morning - hopefully that spotting means things are on the way.

I'd leave her in the hospital cage, if I were you, and keep an eye on her until you have to head off to the hospital. Hopefully she's well on her way now, but it might take up to a day if you've only seen a little spotting so far.

http://www.worldofrats.com/ROUSBreedingFAQ3.html
http://ratz.co.uk/breeding.html#Pregnancy%20and%20Birthing

Is there anyone that can keep an eye on her while you are with your son?

Crossed Fingers

for a small, yet healthy litter and a healthy mom.

_________________
Andy & The Rats

~ Darwin ~ Maisie ~ Ella ~ Zak ~

~ Finn ~ Malachi ~ Azrael ~ Newton ~ Charlie ~

Mon Feb 13, 2006 4:16 pm

Well., I should be home tonight because my sons surgery isnt til wednes morning. We do have a pre-op appointment in about 2 hours, then we will be home. She isnt having contractions right now, just a lot of running, and digging in her box. She actually seems quite happy, but does want out of her cage. I just checked on her now, and she is sleeping. I just hope she is a good mom, and takes care of them when they come out. I got my video camera ready and plan on taping it. I notice you all have a video section, can videos be uploaded to it?

Tue Feb 14, 2006 4:14 pm

okay, its been over 24 hours since pinkish discharge, should i worry now? She is acting completely normal this morning. Any help would be nice! thanks

Tue Feb 14, 2006 10:42 pm

Do you know exactly how many days pregnant she is, or is it only a "best guess"? Is she continuing to produce any discharge or blood?

I'm really not at all sure - hopefully some of the breeders can help. Crossed Fingers

_________________
Andy & The Rats

~ Darwin ~ Maisie ~ Ella ~ Zak ~

~ Finn ~ Malachi ~ Azrael ~ Newton ~ Charlie ~

Tue Feb 14, 2006 10:50 pm

Hi, she got pregnant on the 23rd of Jan, and today is her 22nd day. I watched very carefully after she went into heat again that time, and she never did again, so I was assuming she was pregnant. No more spotting at all since yesterday morning. I am not noticing any contractions, or discomfort either. I check on her at least ever 30 minutes. Her tummy didnt grow overnight at all, i was hoping she would have an overnight baby growth, but she hasnt. I will wait it out a couple more days. She is my first rat, and I am not used to all this baby drama! I am just as much worried about her as my son having major surgery tomorrow. I will keep you all updated. Thanks again

shauna

Tue Feb 14, 2006 11:40 pm

Aye she still has a couple of days to play with. Sometimes, frequently peering in and disturbing them can cause stress for momma, so keep the checks discreet.

And it's not unheard of for the breeders to end up calling their rats "withholding hussies" because they're taking their own sweet time to go into labour. LOL

Remember the old adage... A watched rat never pops. wink

_________________
Andy & The Rats

~ Darwin ~ Maisie ~ Ella ~ Zak ~

~ Finn ~ Malachi ~ Azrael ~ Newton ~ Charlie ~

Wed Feb 15, 2006 12:05 am

oh, i am being patient along with the stress. She seems to think she lives on my shoulder, and she wants to be picked up constantly. She is even trying to jump out of the 20 gallon tank, and has latched on the rim a couple times, then falling. Hopefully she wont get hurt. I just visited her mom at the pet store today,and her mother never showed much signs of pregnancy either, and only has small litters of 4. It made me feel better. Thanks for your words of encouragement. I am sad to hear the website will be closing. I really could make myself at home here. Cry

Wed Feb 15, 2006 4:18 am

Hopefully that's just her genetics then, and she'll have a nice small litter.

And aye - RatPalace is something special, for sure. Check some of the threads in the Casual Corner - there are plenty of links mentioned there to other forums. Hopefully one of those will become home for you instead. Hug

_________________
Andy & The Rats

~ Darwin ~ Maisie ~ Ella ~ Zak ~

~ Finn ~ Malachi ~ Azrael ~ Newton ~ Charlie ~

Wed Feb 15, 2006 4:55 pm

I will be sad to see this place go Sad

Laura

_________________

RIP Curly My Little Friend

Thu Feb 16, 2006 4:24 pm

Hi, just an update.. Its been 3 mornings since she had bleeding and still no babies. Its day 25. Her stomach has grown only a bit. I am hoping that she possibly went into heat one more time after that first time on the 23rd of Jan, and i just didnt see it. If she did it must only have been a very short event. And if she is truly on her 25th day, maybe she is just overdue, or the babies are stillborn and she could be reabsorbing them(i hope not). I am still hoping today is the day. She is really hyper right now, tearing up her cage. Wish her luck!