Goosemoose Pet Portal

I had not updated my spreadsheet before the board went down.  My last update was on 02/17/03, and these are the last few rats I recorded:

Pearl   F   28
Latka   M   33
Ruben   M   25
Sylvester   M   28
Petey   M   23
Punkin   M   26
Baby   F   24
Christopher   M   24
Homie   M   21
Hope   F   35
Topher Alan Piglet   M   11
Irving   M   3
Lily   F   24
Mousie   F   23
Ric   M   27
Floyd   M   30

If you're not sure if I recorded your rats, please PM me, and we can figure it out.  If you've had a loss, or haven't recorded your rats' information, post here.  

The goal of this is to get a feel for how long pet rats live.  I've seen 2-4 years, but the average seems to be far closer to 2, than 3 or 4.  

Just 1 to add:

Claire   16 months  (pituitary tumor)

Redds 37 months [tumor]

Tuesday    Male - aprox 8 months (age unknown,  cause of death unknown)
Skyler       Male 18 months (seizure of unknown cause)

Barney - 2 months , suspected brain tumour.

I had one pass during the crash...

Thunder, Male, accident litter at pet store
14.5 months, inner ear infection/cold

My rats's lifespans, with cause of death, and I've tried to note where rats were related, as well as breeds and where they were acquired.  I've also noted my still-living rats, with medical conditions.

Samantha - female, standard coat, privately owned pet store(ships rats in), sister to Hannah - 31m (ruptured tumour, hemorrhage)

Hannah - female, standard coat, privately owned pet store(ships rats in), sister to Samantha - 39m (multiple causes, including cancer, multiple benign mammory tumours, ruptured tumour/cyst on neck (was healed at time of death))

Vivianne - female, standard coat, privately owned pet store (ships rats in - same store as Sammy and Hanny) - 10m (sudden acute resp. distress, cause unknown - possible acute myco flair-up.)

Mira - female, standard coat, privately owned pet store (extremely poor conditions, reported to SPCA.  Bred rats on-site) - 24m (unspecified neurologic disorder - involved seizures)

Moiraine - female, standard coat, privately owned pet store (breeds rats on-site) - 18m (systemic infection secondary to cyst on neck, also had a benign mammary tumour)

Joan - female, standard coat, chain pet store - 10m (suspected brain tumour - became progressively more aggressive over several months prior to death)

Isabelle - female, standard coat, novice breeder, sister to Raizel - 18m (cause of death undetermined, possibly intentional starvation, refused food after death of sister.  also had benign mammary tumour.)

Raizel - female, standard coat, novice breeder, sister to Isabelle - 18m (suspected cranial tumour (possibly in sinus)).

Phoebe - female, velour, privately owned pet store(acquired rats from reptile show), mother to Elf, April, Random, and Chance - 26m (suspected lymphatic cancer.  also had benign mammary tumours.)

Elf - female, rex, mother was pregnant from pet store, daughter to Phoebe, sister to April, Random, and Chance - 26m (uterine hemorrhage, suspected pyometra/uterine mycoplasmosis.  had a benign mammary tumour removed at 18m of age.)

April - female, rex, mother was pregnant from pet store, daughter to Phoebe, sister to Elf, Random, and Chance - 27m (euthanised due to severe necrosis of benign mammary tumour, which measured 4"x5" at her death.  Tumour was not removed due to obesity/risk of anesthesia.)

Chance - male, rex, mother was pregnant from pet store, son to Phoebe, brother to Elf, April, and Random - 14m (died under anesthesia while undergoing removal of 3"x3" mass from neck/jaw - composition of tumour unknown, suspected lymphatic cancer.)

Random - male, rex, mother was pregnant from pet store, son to Phoebe, brother to Elf, April, and Chance- 10m (sudden, accute resp. distress, cause unknown - possible insect sting.)

Abigail - female, hairless, privately owned pet store(bred rats on-site) - 24m (suspected heart failure secondary to severe active mycoplasma infection.  Survived 7m on antibiotics w/ steroids after initial onset of active myco infection.)

Kayah - female, rex, privately owned pet store (bred rats on-site - indescriminate breeding, poor conditions), cousin to Kia - 7m (euthanized due to squamous cell carcinoma of the brain/ear canal, which was discovered, upon removal, to have ruptured her skull.  Had benign polyp previously removed from same ear canal at 5m of age, recurred.)

Kia - female, standard coat, privately owned pet store (bred rats on-site - indescriminate breeding, poor conditions), cousin to Kayah - living at 18m.  Obese, possible borderline diabetic.  Recurrent porphorin discharge from eyes, resistant to antibiotic treatment.  

Fern - female, standard coat, privately owned pet store (acquired by store from breeder), sister to Ivy - living at 7m.  Had possible myco flair-up following Abby's death, porphorin staining of nose.  Responded to Baytril, very occassional recurrence of porphorin staining w/ stress.  Otherwise very healthy.  

Ivy - female, standard coat, privately owned pet store (acquired by store from breeder), sister to Fern - living at 7m.  Possible myco flair-up following Abby's death, porphorin staining of nose.  Initially responded to Baytril but still very sensitive to stress/environmental changes, porphorin staining of nose recurring.  Otherwise healthy.  

Emma - female, standard coat, SPCA - living at 12 weeks.  No known health problems; was malnourished in infancy due to being abandoned (acquired at 3.5 weeks).

Lizette - female, velour/hairless?, privately owned pet store (bred rats on-site) - living at 6 weeks.  No known health problems; had lice when acquired.

-Sonya

Kevala: aprox. 37 months, suspected liver failure, internal bleeding, tumor. Cause of death was euthanasia.

Loki...18 months...stroke.

BA... 27 months...pnumonia following neurological problems and a fall.

Honey...Approx 12 months (rescue) Sudden onset of pnumonia. PTS.

Isabel: aprox. 12 months, cause of death unknown. (My shortest-lived rat. She died in 2002.)

Sugar: aprox. 60 months, cause of death unknown. (My longest-lived rat. She died several years ago.)

Christopher, M, 27 months (myco)

Conrat, HoRatio, and Ratmaninoff were all about 2 when they died (not sure of their birth dates).

A.J.

Bob- 5 months approx, cause of death unknown.
Randy- 7 months approx, cause of death unknown( Bob and Randy were brothers from the same litter, 2 months before Bob died the breeder I got them off lost nearly her entire rat colony due to unknown causes )
Bacardi- 12 months, died during surgery to remove a tumor.

Daisy, aged 20 months.  Pet store rat.  Tumor. PTS.
Cheddar, aged 20 months.  Pet store rat.  Tumor.  Died in her sleep.

One died on March 16th and one on the 17th.  They weren't done playing with each other, I guess.

Snarf :heart: male, 18 mos - natural
Spooky   :heart: male, 25 mos - natural
Miko   :heart: male, 18 mos - fast growing tumor in abdomen and allergic to carrots ( :huh: )
Argo   :heart: male, 21 mos - had a small benign tumor on back, but I do not believe it affected his quality of life

 :'( Here's a new one to add from the Spiralrats.

SPR Saxon, male, 18mo - cause of death, complications from an abscess

Fred - 13 - myco

Anubis - 21 - pts due to complications from myco

euripides/moose - 27 months. suspected pituitary tumor (pts)

This is my first addition...

Moe 3 mths 1 day :(  Breeder bred rat.

Cause of death:  Heart Attack after surgery to remove a throat tumor.

Litter of 3
2 boys. Unknown cause of death. 1 Day old
Girl Unknown cause of death 2 days old
From a litter of 6
Lucksy~Internal bleeding 1 day
Punkin~Unknown 1 day
Hipster~Still Born
Freddy~Still Born
Fudge~Attacked by my evil doxie
2 months

 Still living that may soon cross the rainbow bridge

Mocha~2 yrs~3 Tumors Inside Stomach and Cold or Pneumonia
Pepper~8 mths~Broken Leg~Respiratory Infection~Eye Infection~Leg Infection~Pneumonia

We are fighting for and with them but so far not much good has been done from it.

Marley - PetSmart rat - 26 mos. - respiratory distress of unknown cause (opacities observed in lungs on radiographs)

Cashew - from a seedy pet store - 34 mos. - lung abscess caused by a highly antibiotic-resistant bacterium (Pseudomonas species)

Jimmy - PetSmart rat - 3 mos. - complications (cause unknown, very fast heart rate) during anesthesia while being neutered

Bianca - 9 mos. feeder rat. no signs of illness at all.

Ruby nearly 2 - rescue.  no signs of illness at all

Oreo - 25 months (died hours after surgery for a cancerous tumor - too attached which resulted in a lot of blood loss, and we didn't expect her to get much more time without it being removed anyway)

Puff - 24 months (sister of Oreo, she'd never gotten over the death of Snow White 7 months earlier and eventually just wasted away)

Snow White - 20 months, CHF and asthma ending up with a burst vessel in her lungs or heart and her dying in a panic in under a minute (her death made me resolve to never go to Petsmart again in my life)

Marshmellow - 20 months (1 week exactly after her sister SW died) of cancer throughout her body which we assume shut down her kidneys in the end

Monchichi - 30 months, natural causes (born in 1998)

Rose - 15 months, myco (born in 1999, only rat I've owned to actually show symptoms of myco)

Rizzo- M- 2 years, 2 months- respiratory failure due to myco

Nicodemus- M- 2 years, 5 months- respiratory failure due to myco

Isabella- F- 2 years, 7 months- combination of abcess and pituitary tumor

OshKosh- M- 2 years, 8 months- combination of myco, tumor, and infected wound was too much for him to handle

Buckwheat- M- 2 years, 9 months- respiratory failure due to myco

Fletcher- M- 2 years, 9 and a half months- combination of myco and a tumor

Templeton- M- 2 years, 10 months- myco and old age in general

Marigold- F- 2 years, 11 months- immediate cause of death unclear, did not seem to be myco-related. Found with belly and underside of tail covered in blood, not sure of the source, apparantly had a seizure and died shortly after.

(The above rats were wild/domestic cross)

Geraldine- F- 1 year, 8 months- Pituitary tumor

Miranda- F- 1 year, 10 months- Had cancerous tumor removed, incision became infected, 3 months later visible tumor returned, likely had internal spread of cancer as well.

(Geraldine and Miranda were pet store rescues)

Angel -- Female 24 mos  Pituitary tumor, pts.
Patches -- Female 23 mos -- Pituitary tumor, heart and lung problems, pts.
Ditto -- Male 4 mos respiratory problems

Lily - petco rat - approx. 18 months developed inoperable tumor under spine which caused paralysis.  Euthanized @ 20 mos.

Sam - snake food - 18 mos, stroke or heart failure.  

Lola - unknown, vet rescue - approx. 2 yrs, pituitary tumor.

Daisy - vet bred - approx. 2 yrs., gradual hind leg paralysis.

Jack - born w/ one eye; irresponsible breeder, not weaned properly, probable neurological damage w/ degenerative paralysis - 3 mos.

Toby - rescue brought to us recently neutered.  Within two weeks left us due to abscessed internal damage (we are still not clear what happened).  Est. 3 mos.

Spike - Jennie's only boy; neutered.  Sudden onset pneumonia @ approx. 20 mos.

Lucy - petco rat - myco infection.  Escaped outside & lost for 5 weeks, then found.  Six months later died from alien internal parasite @ almost 2 yrs.

Jennie - vet bred for hawk food (vet staff made me take her), pregnant @ approx. 6 wks old when we brought her home.  She was a remarkable and wonderful mother.  A high-strung PEW, survived pneumonia as well as a very weird throat swelling that closely resembled a tumor.  Left us @ approx. 28 mos., combination of myco and spinal degeneration.

Lucita - beautiful angel, rescue from AZ, long-suffering myco.  Est. 2-1/2 yrs.

I hope, wish, and pray that this is it for long time.  

It's been awhile since I've posted here, good to see everyone is still here :)

My Sprague-Dahley lab rats lived for quite a long time.

Duffy- 29 months

Itty Bitty- ( I swear this is the truth) 39 months,
she eventually passed on from cancer.

Both my boys now, Larry and Moe are going on 22 months.

Ratty (adopted from 5th grade school project) - roughly 38 mo

Scruffy (adopted from Humane Society) - roughly 35 mo

Marble (adopted from high school project) - roughly 26 mo

Daphne    18 months    complications from SDA

Pipsy ,black hooded,  female 5 years old - old age
Ginger , cream hooded , female 2 weeks - SDA

Snowmizer - 4 years, 8 months - old age
Charlotte - 2 years, 11 months - ovarian cyst
Isis - 3 years, 11 months - apparent old age
Sisi - 3 years, 2 months - mammary tumor
Munch - 2 years, 10 months - brain tumor causing radically agressive behavior
Madeline - 1 year, 10 months - mammary tumor
Retsae - 3 years - lung tumor
Evan - 11 months - stroke
Rhys - 2 years, 2 months (brother of Evan) - stroke

New one from Spiralrat Rattery to add to the list:

SPR Selki - M - 2 years, 3 months - kidney failure

I don't have exact dates, as most of my rats I had were when I was much younger. But most of them lived to be around 2 years old. Some died earlier. None lived to be too old.

Unforunatly I have one to add. :'(
RATC Brie, 12/1/02 - 4/28/03 cause of death, broken tooth impailed nasal cavity when in to surgery and didn't make it.

Tiny: M app. 3 years, could me something to do with excess porphyrin and or a respiratory infection.

I miss him!! :'(

Hudini Lived to be 4.5 years. Furball my daughters rat 5 years both died of cancer tumers. They where brothers both bought from a petstore.

Baxter- 6 months (Bad pneumonia)
Nike- 4 months (Same Case)
Adidas- 14 months (Fight with another rat, his stomach was ripped open. :'()

Charlie: 23 months. PTS. Scared lungs, could no longer breathe
Cappuccino: 28 months. PTS. had severe bumblefoot and scared lungs
(these two were brothers who were mistreated by original owner and came to us with scaring on the lungs)

Sebastiana: Unknown date of birth - died about 10 weeks. Was pet shop rat who found ratsack. was with me only 20 mins :(
Gerbil: 3 Months of age (died of unknown cause)

Myst: Died 12 months of age. PTS. Had massive internal tumour, suspected form of Leukaemia (yet to be confirmed) had already started suffering internal bleeding.

I was just reading all of the short lives rats spend with their owners. How can you deal with their deaths when you only have them for a short time (other than the obvious of charishing all the time you do have)? Just wondering. I'm already dreading the undeniable.

This story has always helped me:

Why Rats Are Only With Us A Short While (by Anonymous)

One day, some angels went to God and asked if they might spend some time on Earth, to learn and perhaps to teach. He answered that some of the people might be frightened of the angels, that His children's idea of beauty might not be His own. The angels replied that maybe those who could look past the differences deserved the blessings that they could give. But God was still concerned. The angels needed Heaven's air to breathe; they would suffocate down on Earth. The angels promised to hold their breath as long as possible,and would return when they could not hold it anymore. God agreed and sent down the angels.

Many people were frightened of these creatures, despised them, and tried to kill them in large numbers. However, the few who recognized the angelic qualities in the beings took them in and sheltered and fed them. In return, they received more joy and laughter than they could possibly imagine. But alas, soon the angels could hold their breath no longer. After just a short time on Earth, they left to go back to Heaven. But they were sure to tell the next group of angels exactly who to seek out when they went down.

Gana, white rat, addopted, cuz my girl saw they want to give her away as food for a snake, and buy it at that time. - Lived 54 Months (4 and 1/2 years). Cause of death was euthanasia, since she couldnt move her back legs normal anymore, and was looking like "plz, save me i want to walk again, in RatHeaven"..

Problem is also, i see what ALL pplz describe here at couses of death.. here, the vets just give them vitamin injections, and there was not a single case of a vet checking the REAL couse of sickness by rats.. that's Slovenia.. if for nothing else, i hate this country cuz of that. I think EACH anymal should get the full healthcare, no matter if elephant, cat, dog or a def. cuter and smarter of those all, a rat. ;)

Peace!

pIkI

Sadie        20 months     tumour
Kayla          7 months     tumour
Meg        23 months     tumour
Rosie        15 months     respiratory
Holly        32 months     old age/paralysis (euthanised)
Libby        20 months     facial abcess  
Abbey        22 months     old age
Willow        20 months     old age/respiratory
Tess        25 months     respiratory
Stella     still with us at 34 months        

* some ages are 'best guess' as they are all rescues

Zia- female, 17-18 months, pet store, myco.

I just talked to the breeder I buy my blues from and she said she has a rat that is 6 years old!! :bdaysmile:

Whoa!  That's impressive.

Ellie: approx. 2 1/2 years old, pituitary gland tumor
Kaela: 11 months, PTS b/e of pneumonia
Piper: 11 months & 5 days, myco and what I think was a broken heart

 :heart:

if only they could have lived to be six years old......

Oreo - 1 year 2 months, my babysitter dropped him on the floor :(
Sylvester - 1 year 4 months, rolled into a sleeping back by an unsuspecting family member
Cottonball - 1 month, cause unknown
Eeyore - 2 years, 5 months mammory tumors
Kirkpatrick - 3 years, 1 month respritory infection

Huidini died at 4.5 years old. and My daughters rat Furball died at 5 years old.

Most of these ages are approximate, since most of them are rescues of one form or another.

Ronnie (from a junior high dairy council experiment) - 2.25 years, died of old age (and he really missed his brother  :'()
Ricky (Ronnie's brother) - a shade over 2 years, died of a tumor.
Eddie - 2 years, unknown illness.
Tina - 3 years, mammary tumor.
Hitty - 32 months, mammary tumor.
Tabby - 33 months, unknown illness.

I also know of someone in the area who has a rat that's 5 years old...they've re-named him Methuzelah. ;)

Just by the way..  i saw on TV, it also depends of where's the rat from, how long will live.  ;D

Barby

The people I got Minnie from just had their pet Mouser die at 4.5

I am really hoping Minnie is as lucky...oops I mean I hope I  am as lucky and Minnie lives that long

Sebastian - M - Petsmart rat - 28 months - Tumor
Ferris - M - Pet shop - 2 months -  unkown cause

MamaRat female rescue approx. 24 months old pts last week.  :'(++

Cindy - F - Feedstore - ~40 mos - old age
Rascal - F - Feedstore - 32 mos - respiratory
Pepper - F - Feedstore - 35 mos - unknown
Cassie - F - Feedstore - 1 month - killed by Pepper during intro
Roo - F - Feedstore - 21 mos - dog knocked cage over while I was on vacation, died from internal injuries  :'(
Dinky - F - Feedstore - 2 weeks - suspected birth defect
Shady - F - Pet World - 28 mos - tumour
Kaycee - F - Feedstore - 28 mos - tumour
Fleck - M - Unexpected litter - 1 week - unknown

Since my boys were all adopted, their actual age is not certain, so I?m giving an approximation:

Jade:  F, 34m, passed in her sleep

Jewel (Jade?s sister): F, 34m, passed about two hours after Jade

Fiona:  F,  7m, reasons unknown

Baloo: M, 24m, reasons uknown, but shortly after a temperment change. Possible brain tumor.

Mr. McSquishItz:  M, 21m, complications from abcess

Nicodemus: M, 22m, I was told myco but I have doubts.

Victor: M, 36m passed in his sleep

Jade and Jewel lived long ago. But still, I am surprised by HOW they aged vs how Victor aged. In Victor?s geriatric time, he got that hippy old-man look. We spoiled him rotten with 10 different kinds of food trying to keep the weight on him. Jade and Jewel remained robust until the day they passed.

Lilith Ratson: Female: Approx 3Yrs (Rescue): Ovarian Cyst/old age.

 :heart:

Aileen

Jasmin-Female-Gray hooded rat-3 years (old age)

I forgot about this thread!

Harley-Quinn- Bought at Petsmart.  ~2 years (mayne 2.3)  Already thinnning- went on vacation, didn't eat, came back kinda started eating again, but wasn't the same.

I'd say he died of old age... but I think he missed me too.

Eliza - 5 years died of stroke :'( :'( :'(

We just lost Clark (m) at 19 months.

He was happy and healthy as far as we know. Suddenly acted as though something had happened to him, and couldn't walk. Held him and massaged him for an hour till he had an "episode", like a seizure, then he relaxed and in a few seconds was gone.

We'll all miss him, especially his little family. :'( :heart:

Merlin- 20mo? (petworld)my baby! he's showing his age a bit but still going strong!
Morgain-12mo?- (drop off)
Machiatto-8mo?(pet world)
Echo-18mo?(rescue)
Shout-18mo?
Pongo- 8 weeks(rescue)unknown cause
Lucky-6mo-18mo?(rescue) no way to determin his age but he's got a slight eye infection and is underweight but he's got a vet visit for tomorrow and is slowly gaining weight now!
10 babies-two weeks old(echo's kids)
Swirly-three days -somehow squished by the mom when they were three days old. since there's nowhere to burry ratties around her i asked my boyfriend to do it at his work, instead he flushed the poor little thing (and slept on the couch for a week cause of it)

Here are the ages for the rats I have lost:  

Kumquat  28 months (m)
Pickle 26 months (m)
Brie  12 months (f) - very sudden, still don't know what happened

I still have -
Raisin 30 months and counting (m)
D'mue 18 months and counting (f)

ANd there's Smudge, but I just adopted her and no one knows how old she is!

I do know someone who has an honest to god 5 years plus rat named Mortimer- has the store receipt to prove it.

My rat lifespans (not counting one who died a week after I got her from the pet store):

Claire 10 mos. (Dec. 1996-Sept. 1997)
Laura 18 mos. (Jan. 2000- July 2001)
Joan 30 mos. (Jan. 2000- July 2002)

First two died from unknown natural causes; Joan died from a bad fall.

Weird fact: Both Laura and Joan died within a few days of Tisha'b'Av (fairly obscure Jewish holiday of mourning and fasting, when observant Jews remember misc. Jewish tragedies throughout the centuries).  (Even more weird coincidence: this pattern of death dates only occurred after I became observant enough to do something about Tisha'b'Av).    (Twilight zone music plays ominously in background).

Barnie (male) 17 mos - pts due to complications from myco

Sprinkles - male aged 2 and a half years - tumour.

So sad  :'(

here are my ratties to add

Peggy Sue F 54 months (immunodeficency and pneumonia)
Chucky M 18 months (tumor)
Tommy M 32 months (tumor)
Lilian F 9 months (fit)
Valerie F 15 months (lung problems)

Godiva, rescued from Rattie Ratz rescue
01/15/02 - 07/05/03 - 18 months old
Godiva was euthanized due to a pituitary tumor making her unable to stand, walk, eat or drink on her own.

I guess i'll add my baby

Pinky 9 weeks (seizure of unknown cause)

Matilda-3 months.
 :sad2:

Pippin, 16 months, who was purchased at Petco before I knew how awful they are. PTS due to complications from cancer in his abdomen, lymphoma, and liver failure.

My rat, Willie, male, lived about 24 months. He just died. :( :( :-[ :-[

jon - 20 months - lung problems (tumor? scarring?). pts.

Timmi-21months-died due to conjestive heart failure  :'(

I'm somehow completely missing my original post on this thread, so I can't update it. (Must need more coffee)

Blue - 14.5 months (April 2002 - 29 July 2003, cancer throughout body (including in her uterus, which was when we realized the previous "mammary" tumor with a thin membrane must have been cancer)

Tinkerbell (pet store) approx 14m
Rose             "              also 14m
sisters

passed away within 2 weeks of eachother

 :'(


Bear, male neutered, just two days before his second birthday, of an unknown illness (he was put down).

Naomi- about 19mos, respiratory illness.

Mapback--  25 1/2 mos (age, illness, infection :'( )

I found this interesting link:

http://www.fancy-rats.co.uk/information/health/life_expectancy.php

I can't believe they have such a short life span!  :(

Furman- 2000-  died from cancer July 7th 2003 :'(

Patterson (Furmans brother) 2000- August 8th 2003- stroke and seizure died in my arms. I am still heart broken......so very sad.  :'(

Found out their mother is still alive and is close to 4 years old! They must have good genes!   :heart:

Nikki, 18,  unexplained respiratory failure, most likely pneumonia

My lost loves-
Georgie - ?????(respiratory)
Tinky - 26 mos (estimated) (respiratory)
Squirrel - 18 mos (?healthy, just dropped dead one day)
Rocket - 22 mos (respiratory)
Monkey - 19 mos (tumor)
Nellie - 29 mos (tumor) (pts)
Ladybug - 24 mos (respiratory)
Whisper - 7 mos (tumor, from very tumorous line, sold
                 as feeder only) (pts)
Taz - 13 mos (tumor) (pts)

LaLa, female, blue, part rex, 22.5 months (9/20/01 - 08/11/03), advanced myco

Sparky, F, 3 months: Respiratory infection, plus poor immune system (we think she was the runt of the litter as well as weened a week or two early)

Astra, F, 23 months: Respiratory infection. Weak immune system after not fully recovering from a lump removal (2nd removal, returned 3rd time before she passed on.)

Zelda-- pet store female, approx. 18 months, fluid in chest hiding internal tumor or heart failure, euthanized.

Daisy (F) - PetCo (before I knew better) - 26 mo. - tumor
Lily (F) - Rattie Ratz Rescue (adopted at 6wks) - 25 mo. - unknown cause

Eloise - 28 months / lymphoma

Here is my information:

From 2002 when I was hit with Myco or SDA:

Willow - 2 months  
Mara -  1 month
Dona - 1 month
Skye - 10 months
Piglet - 10 months
Hairy - 10 months
:heart: CoCo - 10 months (also had Tumor removal, died only 7 days after)  :sad2:
Asia - 18 months - (also had a Tumor)
----
Minnie - 2 months - Unknown causes
Bootsy - 22 months - Tumor, euthanized
Tantor - 14 months - Uknown

Bella - 26 mos - either uterine cancer or liver problems

Ruby 13 monthes ( mammary tumor removel)

Maizie: 39
We had to put him down because he was not oxygenating

Mrs. Norris.  Age, unknown.  Cause, unknown.  Very sudden, no suffering, nor sign of illness.  Not even a sneeze or hiccup.

Zora- Eight months, lung disease of unknown kind. Decided to have her put to sleep when she didn't respond to any meds...  :sad2:

Oliver, agouti hoodie, Abbi and Sara's sister 5-6 weeks old. Died the day after I got them, unknown cause. (2-8-03 to 3-17-03)
(http://cyberpawz.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10018/oliver.jpg)


Abigail (aka Abbi), black hoodie, Sara's sister: approx. 3 months old. Unknown cause. (2-8-03 to 5-03)
(http://cyberpawz.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10018/abigail.jpg)

Sammy, cream with brown points on nose, and base of tail: about 4 mos. old. He came down with an unknown illness about a month after I got him, and was PTS, after meds. did not work. (2-4-03 to 6-13-03)
I got him on 5-9-03.
(http://cyberpawz.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10018/sammy.jpg)

Pippin, agouti hoodie I got him from a lady that was moving. She had bought Pippin and his brother Merry about 2 yrs. before she gave him to me from Petsmart. His brother Merry died about 2 weeks before I got Pippin.
I was bringing Pippin to a friend of mine, because Pippin was lonely, and at the time I didn't have any other male rats, so she was going to take him and try to intro him to her other male rats. Even though my windows were rolled down, and I had the air on, by the time I got to meet her, he was already in the comatose state. He died from a heatstroke, and possibly from old age. I had him 3 months before that happened.
(http://cyberpawz.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10018/normal_pippin.jpg)

Ilias, agouti berk. (06.02.03 - 02.15.04) Sara's son. He passed away from myco and I don't know what else was wrong with him. He was on Baytril and Doxy and the vet seemed to think he would get better, well he didn't... I found him lying in the bottom of his cage, in his tube hammock. He was my favorite rat ever.
(http://www.cyberpawz.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10018/normal_adorableIlias.jpg)


:heart: Rest in Peace all my angels.. I miss you. :heart: :'(

Males
Pinky 11 months after having 2 strokes
The Brain 14 months stroke and myco
Baby Mac 23 months horrible testical infetion
Mouse 19 months myco
Ivan 22 months kidney failure
Little Lee 15 months myco
Females
Emma 18 months cancer
Daisy 18 months eye infection, 2 mamary tumors, stroke and myco.
Casey 11 months small mamary tumor and myco.
Zoe 7 1/2 months cancer
Penny 16 months myco
Amanda 18 months 3 large mamary tumors
Francine 19 months stroke
Hannah 20 months myco
Kate 22 months heart failure
Blue 9 months she had a bad heart since birth.

I also had 1 litter of 3 (Hannah was the mom) died the same day they were born and 1 litter of 6 (Molly was the mom) 2 were still borns and the last one Bajeera died at 15 days.

I lost two standard boys this summer to breathing disorders.  Both were about 18 months old:

Maynard, male, 18 months
Mr. Tom, male, 18 months

I want to add some, too...

Milka: approximately 2 years and 4 months. Got her as a rescue when she was about 2 years old. She was already bleeding in her vaginal area when I got her. She had a tumor in her uterus. She was treated with abtibiotics, but then became lethargic. She was helped to cross the Rainbow Bridge February 17, 2003

Stubette: Milka's sister. She had a very fast growing tumor on the side of her belly (between the front legs and the hind legs). She was helped to cross the RB Bridge March 31, 2003

little girl: sister of the above. She had an extremely fast growing tumor on the end of her spine (closer to her tail).
She went the same day Stubette went, so they were together.

Full-Stripe: sister of the above. She was the only one of in total six ladies who never had anything. She was always skinny, but healthy. She developed pneumonia and died within a week. She was fortunate to peacefully cross the RBB in her sleep amongst her sisters Half-Stripe and Brownie who fed her and kept her warm even after her death.

Vino: He was approxiamtely born at the end of November 2001. My love was limping, so he was treated with antibiotics. Then, he got worse, didn't move his hind legs anymore. More antibiotics. He felt better after a steroid shot and additional treatment with Meloxicam. He was moving his legs again, tried to walk on all four of them. His behaviour was normal, as usual. He ate and drank just fine, was active again... September 6, he got another steroid shot, very unprofessionally. The vet assistant must have hit a major nerve or something else. She killed him. For the next 24 hours, he was restless, didn't drink, didn't eat, didn't lick anything off my finger. He just wanted to be in my arms. As if he was chased by something in his cage. He died in the 25th hour after the shot. He was burried yesterday and I miss my baby. Angels in heaven have him back.  

One day, I will be with all of you and I will be happy again!

Liza

Jerry, female, @ 34 months, pet store rattie, brown agouti hooded, unknown cause - seizure, stroke ? Couldn't move except for head and forelegs, wouldn't eat or drink. After staying up with her for half the night, and not expecting her to make it through the night, was surprised to find her still breathing in the morning.  Had her her pts.

Lost another one last week.

Magellen, age 26.5 mos.   :'(

Age related failing, I believe. She lost weight, but acted okay. Suddenly got very lethargic, soon became cold (feet a little blue). Put her on heating pad, she revived for a few hours, then died in my daughter's hands.:(

Her mom is still going strong! Her brothers have started to pass away, and one of her sisters has benign tumors, and the other is beginning to fail.

Seems about 2 years is average. I've noticed those that are bred seem to last a bit longer. Anyone else see this? We had one hit almost three, but most go between two and three (closer to two).

I had a vet recently really give me heck about this. He maintained rats could live until four or five and ought to. I wondered what planet he was from. I've seen three rats in my whole life that hit age four.

I'm not going to post all ages just the oldest. Too many have passed over the years.   :sad2:

Cookie: 41 months Congestive Heart Failure

Sunshine (her sister): 42 months Congestive Heart Failure

Frances: 38 months, still very healthy and kicking, the little fireball

Arnold: 37 months, still alive and healthy

All were bred here. There are probably are more but the records have been lost. Cookie and Sunshine were from 2 pet store rats. Our first rats quite a while back.

Met a lady in Rhonda, NC claiming she had a 10 year old rat, still skeptical because she wouldn't let me see him

Ruby 13 monthes ( mammary tumor removel)

Kirby Champagne Hooded Rat F 26 months

About 3 years lived Freckles a pet store rat!!! :'( :-*

anchovy -- 27 months, F - lymphoma, euthanized for prolapsed uterus though.
gobo, sister to anchovy. 28 months, F - died from broken heart i believe (seriously - went downhill fast after her sister died, they had never been separated)

OSED uno -- 23 months - CNS infection, F

acorn - 17 months, F -- necropsy pending

ayla - F, 23 months- euthanized for mammary tumor

mia - F 19 months, respiratory infection

nova - 19 months, F - pituitary tumor, euthanized

some of my rats and also rescues, and the roomie's rats...

Hazel - 18 months, female, mammary tumor - pts
Thorne - 23 months, male, passed in his sleep
Samara - 4 months, female, poisoning?
Chloe - 20 months, female, heart disease
Ghijed - 25 months, female, pituitary tumor
Merna - unknown (2-3 years), female, myco related respiratory infection - pts
Pippin - 14 months, male, pituitary tumor
Goran - 17 months, male, chronic respiratory problems - pts
Syenne - 10 months, female,  heart & lung problems
Poe - 15 months, female, pituitary tumor
Xara - 15 months, female, heart disease
Waco - 28 months, male, respiratory problems
Zen - 29 months, male, died naturally
India - 17 months, female, mammary tumors - pts
various baby rats - 4-8 weeks, male and female, megacolon, pts
Merlin - 19 months, male, heart condition, pts
Webster, 18 months, chronic severe lung problems, pts
Beans - 7 months, severe aggression due to neurological problems, pts


I will add to this as I think of more...

I don't think I responded to this.

Poppy, female black hooded - approximately 29 months, respiratory infection (put to sleep after a serious gasping attack).

Lupin, female black capped - approximately 32 months. Put to sleep after a respiratory infection, abscess and recurring tumour became too much.

Bless my babies.  :heart:

Warner - 6 months, Myco

Emily - 18 months, tumour  :BlueDumboBigEyes:

zylah: female berkshire rat, adopted, dyed at a young age of 1 year, *tumor*

Louie - male - ??? to 10/1/03 - died of what seemed to be old age.
Brie - female - ??? to 10/4/03 - Louie's longtime companion. Contracted sudden and severe upper respiratory infection the day after Louie died. She was of old age as well.

I am truly sorry for all of your losses. Too bad we can't genetically engineer a rat to live 20 years!

I'm probably being an idiot. But doesn't this thread have a bar graph to go with it? I swear I saw a bar graph along with this thread-- but where it is I don't know. Can't find it tonight.

Is my senility acting up?

Bucket 2.5 years - died peacefully, although he'd been wasting away for the last 5 months.

Bucky 3.6 years - died about 3 months after successful tumor removal of sudden, FAST respiratory distress

Fuzzy Ball and Bucky 2 - Petco rats, showed signs of myco 2 days after getting them, treated right away, but lived life of on-again off-again sickness for 1.2 years and 1.8 years respectively

Bullet - Petsmart rat, lived only 2 months - same as above, tried treating them ASAP after sneezing noticed, but he just wasted away right before our very eyes, each day getting worse, the vet trying all the big gun antibiotics, to no avail.  A sweetheart to the end, though, and he helped us learn about breeders that raise "healthier" rats.
 

Unfortunately I have one to add.... :'(

Sarah-- age unknown, female, rescue (bred for feeder rats before I got her as part of the HSSV rescue, died of Myco, with suspected underlying problems due to her background.

I had a bar graph posted on my website in the original thread.  I updated the graph in September, but my scanner putzed out.  Now, I have a new scanner, but have been working 10-12 hour days, 6 days a week.  I have no idea when I can update again.  But, keep the information coming.  

Haven't posted mine yet...

Ratberry - 2 years, 8 months, female, from breeder. Developed several tumors and suspected to have passed from secondary problems (when we had sendai here, she was very old, so her immune system was already pretty weak)

Phoebe - 2 years, 1 month, female, from breeder. Developed tumor that became infected, and I made the decision to have her euthanized.

Bluejay - 1 year, 4 months, male, from breeder. Of sencondary infection (passed when we had sendai)

Dennis - 2 years, male, from breeder. Suddenly, unsure why.

Maybie - 3 months, blazed male, from breeder. Late onset megacolon. :(

Moonstone - 1 year 2 months, female, from breeder. Of myco (as secondary infection, also lost when we had sendai)

Furman: rescued when he was about 33 months. Died just over three years old from cancer. He was a pet store rat that had free roam of the pet store. Was bald and had skin disease that did not respond to medical treatment. Got better when he came to live with me. Vet not sure how he got better but I say it was from getting alot of love. I say his problem was from stress.
Died July 2003

Patterson- Furmans brother. When rescued he was already paralyzed in back legs. Could not walk at all. Would drag himself around. This was from an injury he sustained when he fell about 4 feet off of a bird table at the pet store! :sad2: They were often ignored for days upon days and sometimes when I went in to the store the owner had said she "had not seen them for days!" When the store went out of business she was going to have them destroyed at the vets saying nobody would want them in their "poor condition"  Instead of slapping her silly I offered to adopt them!!!!!!!

After about 2 weeks of love and affection he started to "propel" around on his belly. Was very brave and strong and thrived well and learned how to get around. LOVED to be held. Was a champion bruxer!!!  He died in my arms at the age of 3 years and 1 month from complications due to old age. Stroke and seizures.  He was a wonderful brave little rat full of personality. No other rat like him other than my Louie who is 24 months. Patterson LOVED PEOPLE! He went everywhere I went if I had to go out of town. Was a great hotel rat! LOVED to run around the hotel room!! LOL  Left raisins for housekeeping but we left nice tip for her troubles! LOL
I miss him so much!
Died one month after his brother Furman- August 2003

I know it's not practical, but it would be great to see along with all the ages and origins, what they were fed, bedded on etc.  Maybe that would give us some clues as to how to keep our little ratters healthier.  I am currently involved in discussions about long-lived animals on pine and wondering why that is if it is so bad for them.  Just want to look at all the angles....you know?

Well, here's another one, sadly.:(

Mornea (Mor-nee-ay), approx 20 months,  likely  heart (possible respiratory).

edit- Flannel princess, I just read your note. Please see my thread titled "if your rat lived three years" which discusses this (unless you are already posting on it- I'm forgetting the names).

Mornea, like our others, was bedded on Aspen, Carefresh, and sometimes newspaper (when we were out of the others). Cages changed several times a week. Fed harlan-teklad lab blocks, some rodent mix, and "human food" such as cereal (total, and raisin bran), spaghetti, rice, veggies (esp frozen veggies in the summertime when it was hot).

She had two cage mates, and received a lot of attention and had a lot of "out of the cage" time... sometimes free ranging for a few days at a time.

-edit-

Last night we lost yet another one, Nienna, age 28 months, respiratory illness (pneumonia- did not respond to two course of antibiotics).

She was fed and kept in the same manner Mornea was.

Hmm...lucky me gets to post in this thread for the first time...  :-\

Albert, male, 23 months old, died suddenly overnight.  He was a pet store rat, who I got when he was dumped back at the pet store at 9 months of age.  Bedded on towels which are washed in nappy-wash.  The staple diet of the rat cage is Suebee's diet.

My neighbor's rat:

Cutthroat- 2.5, unknown causes.
Found dead in his cage one evening.

He'd been fine, no signs of illness, but his cage mate died about a month or two ago and he was alone.

Bedded on Aspen, lots of attention, fed lab blocks and kaytee rat food, plus Vitakraft sticks as treats.

Hava -- 12 months. Cause of death unknown.

Mr Nosey - male- 35 months (seizures following removal of benign tumour)
Jerry Jam(brother)  - male 38 months (natural causes)

Betty died at age 47 months natural causes, and Mattie died at age 34 months natural causes.

Tinkerbell, female, 25 months, blue/lilac self, standard, part rex; enlarged spleen and swollen lymph nodes - likely cancer.

snuffy- ~25 months. from a feeder tank. congestive heart failure (pts)

My Charlie Rat: 28 months (Lung Cancer)

And Billy Rat: 36 months (Old age)

Nia F : petstore rat. Lived 26 months. died of a combination of respiratory problems and old age.

Guy M : petstore rat. Lived 24 months. Euthanized due to hip displasia.

We had to put our baby patches to sleep last week, the tumors were starting to get to her. She was appx 42 months. She had lost all movement of her back legs as well.

Taz, male, 31 months, died naturally in his sleep.
 :(

Mung, male, 6 weeks, seizures

Pandora. Female pet store rat, 35 months. Euthanized due to excessive tumor growth.

Luther-- shelter rat, approx. 13 months, half of his chest was filled with fluid.

Mamite, female, 18 months (suspected pituitary tumour) pts :'(

Blackie male 27 months old age

Fliss/Ratty
Female
Aged 24 months died today.....
Cancer probable cause of death
Black hooded rat

Miss you.

Hobbes 5years and 1 month  Obviously just died of old age.  he just died.  he was my first :-[

Another Spiralrat resident to report.

RFR Soybean - F - 8/12/01 to 11/21/03: 27+ months - cause of death: abscess in lower jaw and incisors

Carmel and Cream. Petstore. Born approx: 6-12-00. Died 12-1-03.
Old age and tumors (put to sleep).
Both are female. 3 years, almost 3 1/2. 41 months+

Just lost my first baby...  :'(

Circe, F, 10 months (unknown malady -- possibly tumor)

Iska F about 30 months. Unknown cause.
Trickster F 30 months. Chest infection and senile demensia
Tinsle F 21 months. PTS due to severe illness.
Stonehenge F 21 months. Tumour
Nicodemous M 20 months. Chest infection.
Honey F 18 months. Unknown cause.
Scabbers M 15 months. Chest infection.
Dreama F 13 months. Unknown cause.
Nastelia F 2 Weeks. Neglected by Tinsle(who was barely out of ratlethood herself) and I wasn't bottle feeding her properly.

My baby Milo, at two years old, only young in my eyes.

Sadly, another one to add....

Roger, mismarked black (well, dark brown) berkshire. Rescued as a baby with his two brothers after being dumped in a playing field.
Put to sleep one week before his second birthday after a struggle with lymphatic cancer.

Bless you Roger the Dodger  :heart:

agatha (hairless) - 11 months: myco p.
abby (double rex hairlress hima. ) 23 months: died in sleep (reason unknown)

Peanut- 07/03-12/11/03- multiple mammary tumors and hindlimb paresis

Teewey 7/7/01 - 11/25/03 -- PTS -- inoperable cancerous tumor on jaw.

Cinder 6/27/01 - 12/07/03 -- PTS -- multiple mammary tumors; sudden hind end paralysis and disorientation.

Simon 24 months- respiratory illness  

Nova 8 months - severe headtilt and neurological problems

I lost Frodo too, but can't list his age because he was an adult rescue and I have no clue.

Betty- 25 mounths, weak heart
Wilma-7 mounths, weak heart
Peanut-26 mounths, natural
mocca-11 mounths, namonia
Hariat-24 mounths, absis on face
Brandy- 25 mounths, tumor on side
Elle-round 13 mounths, epilectic fits
Pebels-15 mounts, tumor on side
Sherry-18 mounths, namonia

Two more over the past two days:(

Pearl- 21.5 months, sepsis (sp?), multiple infections, possible pituitary tumor, pts.:(:(:(

Isabel- 30 months,  malignant tumor hemorage

I can't believe I've never posted in this thread..  ???  Well here goes...

Thelma - 27mos, breeder rat, breathing trouble
Louise - 22mos, pet store rat, throat abcess/infection
Spring - 5mos, shelter rescue, died rather suddenly
Patch - 23mos, pet store rat, died suddenly (no ill health)

-Melina

Dizzyboy Brown - male - 26 months- Respiratory problems most of his life! Died peacefully in his sleep.

Hi,

We're new here, but we wanted to add Sally to your survey.  She passed away three years ago and was 4 years old...cancer.

Booberry, 4/02-01/04.  Tumor & other issues.  PTS.  Came from a less than reputable rattery.

Keebler 8/02-01/04.  Stroke.  PTS.  Came from a pet store.

Yavanna, about 36 months. :sad2:

Cookie - agoutti female aprox 30 months (give or take a few weeks.)  :'(

The Professor

Oct? 2001 to Jan 13 2004 That would make him 27 months, maybe more.  PTS due to Aggressive lymphoma.

I rescued him from some bumpkins who originally bought him at a pet store.

Bob, male, retired lab rat. Born ~ September 2000, died Jan 17 2004. PTS--fluid in lungs and failing heart.

 :heart:Percillla- 5.5 years
 :heart:Sasha (Percillas sister) -5.5 years
 :heart:Monday- apox. 18 months
 :heart:Java- apox 4-5 monts

Choco - late April 2001- 22 Jan 2004. ~33 months. Congestive heart failure.

Tofu - 22 April 2003 - 25 Nov 2003. 6 months. Possible complications from an undiagnosed SDA infection before we adopted her from the breeder in August.

Buddy - m - neumonia/heart failure - approx. 10 months

chedder female 16 mo. unknown....i posted a topic about her symptoms if anyone has and idea please let me know.

Merry, M, 23 mos. Died of what appears to have been congestive heart failure. He was purchased at PetCo before I knew better.

Blizzard female- 20 months- confirmed Pituitary tumor via necropsy- from a breeder

Daniel-aprox. 7 months, pnemonia, cancer, pet store rat, fancy hooded rattie :'(

Goddess 26 months...no apparent illnesses just got old and slowed down
Haley 12 months...psumonia
Iggy 10 months...psumonia
Jay 10 months...psumonia
Kimba 9 months...psumonia
(bad time all died wihin a week of eachother :'( )
Munkie 18 months...unknown
Nemo 5 months, age unknow...had over growing teeth, kept him alive for 5 months more then he would have been.
Quiggly 12 months...unknown
Rimay 25 months...tumor
Snuggles 23 months...put to sleep..tumor
Uggy 12 months...unknown
Yoko 18 months...unknown
Nanook 15 months...unknown
Keiichi age unknow, 12 months...unknown
Toe-Fu age unknow, 19 months...got old and slowed down
 :puppy_dog_eyes: :puppy_dog_eyes:

Moe. 3 years. Pet store. Cancer.

Oji -  25 months ish.  Just went down hill.... possible stroke?  Came from a pet store.

Scrud - 26 months ish.  His whole body was full of tumours.. Oji's brother/pet store tank mate.

Frip - 24 months.  Had abcess on face, nothing could be done.  Just got too much for him.   Pet store again.

All three were PTS.

percilla-5 3/4
sasha-5 3/4
monday- 18 months
java- 5 months  
all rats are still alive and doing good :bdaysmile: :cheeky: :party:

Scooter - 22 months

Frankenberry, female, cancer.  Age---23 months.

Dove-- six months old, rescue, severe myco.

Tinkerbell - black hooded - approximately 5 years - euthanized when a tumor became too much for her and ruined her quality of life - purchased at a pet store

Bootsey - feeder - gray and white berkshire - still living at 2 1/2.  In good shape after a recent tumor removal.  

I'm surprised at some of the short life spans posted here.  I guess I've been lucky.  

Itzy-14 mos. Rescue (accidental litter from petstore rat), died after a 7 month fight with myco, and had been on baytril/doxy the entire 7 months.

Dot-Black Berkshire satin coat. About 32 months. She had respritory problems. Could have been a tumor as she had a few tiny ones when she passed. I got her and Cookie at a petstore that uses it's own breeder.

Well, happened a bit ago. But I'm just now posting.

RATC Cassie-breeder. Kidney failure, tumor or abcess thing, had to be euthanized because she licked the thing, it caved in, and it smelled really bad (like internal bleeding my mom says). Our vet warned us about that. Either 13 or 14months.

Raisin - male 35 1/2 months. PTS.

My rat kahn lived to alittle over 4 years, he died of pneumonia mixed with old age. i actually had him put to sleep b/c of his age and he was in alot of pain tword the end of his treatment and it wasent working. he was a super sweet rattie.
my big rattie jehova lived till threeish and died of suspected heart attack, his cage- mate cocaine died abt two weeks later of unknown causes. we think it was depression/lonliness. they were the same age, and both super rats.

Alexander, pet store, 2 years and some days. Born around March 2, 2002. Teeth and various other problems. PTS.

Oscar and Chester - brothers/ both 28 months

I'll add mine...

Chica - pet store - approx. 15 months, cause unknown.
Lucy - pet store - approx. 3-4 months, escaped from cage and ingested pills
Cassie - breeder - 17 months, myco
Artemis - breeder - 25 months, kidney failure
Victoria - MSPCA - approx. 16 months, PTS after unknown neurological problems (possibly spinal tumor)

 :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart:

Wasn't my rat, but the oldest I've seen (i work at a vet..he came in to be put down cause his health was deteriorating..however he wasn't about to drop dead..still relatively healthy) was five years old.

My first two rats:

Cheeky, F, 23 months, uterus tumour
Nippy, F, 25 months, cause of death unknown

Both purchased at pet shop.

 :'(

Oldest rat: Oreo (black hood) 5 years 8 months never sick a day in his life. Died of old age with arthritus but other than that EXCELLETN health

Next oldest: Chyna (Oreos daughter w/Thelma) Albino  5 years 2 month, fatty tumor that kept coming back till surgery wasnt an option.

Next oldest: Mario (Oreos grandson out of Oreos other lady, Lousie)  just a few days shy of 5. 

Then I have had alot of rats between 1-4 but my ave is roughly around 3 but rescues through that number way off....For rats that I breed....about 3 years generaly; but not everyone notifies me when they pass away

John -- ?? at least 12 months. Abcesses in lungs and pituitary tumor. PTS. Operation Dumbo Drop boy.

Basil (M) 2 yrs 1 mnth. Petstore rat, died of old age.

Emily - 27 months
Anna - 23 months

Daisy (Aug 2001-Nov 2002) -- petco rat with severe myco; symptoms in august and she got progressively worse.

Bandit (Oct 2002-April 2003) -- Kidney tumor (vet said probably congenital); had to put her to sleep because she couldn't walk and had blood in her urine.  this happened within two weeks in april.

Smokey (Jan/Feb 2002- present) -- petco rat with severe myco; in sept 2003, a mammary tumor appeared and was removed (benign).

Lily (March 2003- present) -- she has myco; no other health problems.

Tiger (March 2003 - present) -- had severe pnuemonia when i got her; no current health problems.

Bubba (Jan 2003- present) -- neutered male; no health problems.

Mamma (??)  -- Mamma is Bubba's mother.  I got her and Bubba from the ASPCA rescue.  Mamma looks REALLY old though.  She currently has a mammory tumor that has not increased in size in the past 3 weeks. 

Big Boy (for obvious reasons)- 1 1/2 months Death- seasure.. (sp?)


Still makes me sad thinking about it.... :BlueDumboBigEyes:


Beth

Kito - Pet store rat.  30 ish months (give or take a week).  Possible kidney failure.  Died at home.

I have not posted my most recent rats that have passed.

Rowena born october 27th 2002-Died febuary 13th 2004 of respitory problems.
Hermione(Rowena's mom) Born in what I guess august or september 2002-Died March 14th, sudden onset heart faliure or something like it.
Pippin(My brother's rat, also a baby of Hermione)October 27th 2002-April 1st 2004, heart faliure I believe, it wasn't as sudden, he had been sick for a while but was recovering then fell Ill again.

To my knowlage Hermione's other 4 babies are all alive, though I know one has a tumor.

All were about a year and a half.

Coco
male
25 months

MoJo.  Son of Professor( see above).  32 months give or take a bit.  Had just finished battling resp. problems and was doing alright.  I suspect his heart failed him this morning  :sad2: as there were no resp. symptoms when he started gasping today.

Gadget (M)   21 months

 :'( I guess I need to add
Winnie-approx 27 months-Petstore-cause of death-?stroke

Sierra,  33 months, cancer and myco. Dark brown with white geet and belly.

Albert,
petstore. Died a bit ago, bu I didn't feel like posting about it. Not yet 2. Unknown. I'm guessing old age.

Evelyn (f) - tumor, PTS  2 1/2 years old

Caldecott (f) - tumor? respiratiory problems 2 years 7 mo.

They both passed on a while ago. Evelyn died last August and Caldecott this February.  :(

Spots (May 1, 2001 - June 7, 2004 ) -- 37 mos -- old age
Slinky (October 2002 - June 4, 2004) -- 18 mos -- tumor on throat

Mic- OFR-breeder- June 12,03 (off the top of my mind so I might be off a bit) to June 13-04

I'm not sure who I last posted about, as it was in the old thread.. but I'm guessing the last one was probably Cous Cous. New ratties to add...

Hobnob - female - pet store - 20 months: Died of a brain tumour which resulted in a massive seizure (she was put to sleep that same day, as it caused her to become completely paralyzed).
Lewis - male - pet store - 11 months: Died while in surgery. He had a tumour that was too large to remove, and was on the verge of rupturing. The blood supply to the tumour was about an inch across. We let him go while he was still under anesthetic.
Oswald - male - pet store - 16 months: Died from congestive heart failure due to a very weakened immune system brought on by lice and mites (though we're almost positive there was something else wrong with him, as everybody else had the same amount of mites and lice and nobody else reacted this way). He died suddenly in my arms.
Beans - female - pet store - 26 months: Died from a prolonged respiratory infection. She was put to sleep when it became nearly impossible for her to breath anymore.

Man.. that was depressing.  :-\

Vlad, male, 1 year, 11.5 months. Had tumors but weren't bothering him. I believe his heart just gave out. Went in his sleep. He had never been healthy -- respiratory issues. Pet shop. 
:heart: :-*

Makani, Female, black hoodie: 34 months, cause of death unknown. Died in her sleep. :BlueDumboBigEyes:

Elizabeth, from a shelter - approx. 22-24 months. Put to sleep, possible pituitary tumor.  Sister was also put to sleep for a similar condition. (posted previously)

  O'NIEL-18MONTHS-DIED FROM SOME SORT OF FIT?
 :BlueDumboSmileTongue: ARUCARD-MALE CURRNETLY 15MTHS OLD

Nym - 35 months - pet store - PTS when nasty tumor on his leg got too much for him.   :(

     Flo - F. 24 months - mcyo
     Jackie - F. 17 months - PTS after a month when she was lethargic and not eating voluntarily. Vet heard some resp. noise and treated that but I don't think that was the problem.

Luke- 18 months- Rex hooded from Petland- had myco since he was 1 year

Fatty, male, black berkshire (i think), from Petland, 19 months, died of some respiratory illness

it doesn't look like i ever added my last two guys who both went in april

bob - 29 months - from petco - pts for some kind of mass in his abdomen. he also had multiple mammary tumors and had just been through a disasterous surgery to remove two other masses.

teller - 21 months - rehome - seizures (suspected pituitary tumor)

Mog-aboutn 45 months

Kono: 11 September 2002 to 15 July 2004 (PTS due to spinal injury and resultant neurological problems).

I've had 13 rats over a span of 20+ yrs. I have never had a rat make it to 3 yrs. The average was 2yrs. and perhaps 3 didn't even make it to 3 mos. The majority died of tumors or cancer, some were inoperable and few had surgery, but grew new tumors....we don't have breeders around here so sadly they came from " rat mills". We tend to celebrate 1/2 birthdays, their lives are so short....

I know I haven't posted in a long while, but just to let ya know I'm still here, I thought I'd jump into this thread.  :BlueDumboSmile:

To the author of the original post, do you have a website link to your Rat Life Expectancy Survey? With your permission, I would like to link it to a project that I am working on for my site, Rat Biology and Anatomy.

I have one like yours of my own that is known as the  "Over 2 Club for the Dearly Departed"
http://spazrats.tripod.com/o2cdd.html

Sully - 21mos, son of pet store rat, died from deterioration after stroke
Serena - 23mos, daughter of pet store rat, cancer
Autumn - 16+mos, shelter rescue, sudden death
Sweetie - 25mos, daughter of petstore rat - old age/sudden death

-Melina (just updating)

Could we do a poll aspect to make charting the responses to this a bit more visual?  Or is there a way you can graph the information and post it for us?  I'm very interested in this topic.  My boys are still with me - three at approximately 29 months-ish (two of them pet store, one from a breeder), one at 17 months (from a breeder).

~Chris

Gah, sorry, I can never find my original posts in this thread to update them. (and really wish I never had to)

Choco - late April 2001 - 17 Feb 2004 - general old age
 
Sky - late March 2002 - 28 July 2004 - cancer and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Nicky   19 months  Pneumonia  petstore boy

Cleo     4 wks    cagemate killed her     daughter of petstore baby

I admit - I've been slacking on keeping up with the life expectancy thread - working 50-60 hour weeks limits my free time.  I do have a chart - somewheres on my webspace.  I'll work on updating on Sunday. 

I actually prefer if you put new posts to update, rather than update in an original thread.  I use the "new" button to get me where I last left off :)

Gosh, I just realized I forgot to post several rats:

Trelly, F, over 3 years old. Pts with giant mammary tumor that could not be removed. Peninsula Humane Society
Pepper, F, 33 months, pts for general problems with old age. Couldn't use back legs. Spayed, no tumors at death. Feeder rescue.
Starsha, F, 33 months. Tumors and respiratory infection. Died in her sleep 36 hours after Pepper died. Peninsula Humane Society.

"Rat", M, At least 2 years old but possibly up to 4. PTS with growing tumor (the harder smaller type) on his jaw. Taken from my brother, originally Petco.
Scooter, M, 17 months. Neutered. PTS due to either inner ear infection or brain tumor. SFSPCA
Fred, M, 22 months. Neutered. PTS due to respiratory infection. SFSPCA.

August 1- RATC Flash. Put to sleep. Tumor on neck and he was beginning to scratch it.

March 30-Chocolate-PTS after vet diagnosed him with osteo... I can't remember the name of it. He had bone growths going out of control. He was about 2 months old and a sweetie.

Adeline - approximately 16 months - liver disease
OSED Hurricane - 16 months - COD unknown
OSED Ocean - 23 months - massive malignant metastasized tumor centered in her bowels.

I added just over 200 rats tonight - bringing up the total to 915.  Please note I do not separate out rats that died from natural causes versus those lost in accidents, etc.  AND, I did not include rats that are still living - sort of skews the data set :)

I'm having problems getting a clear picture to post, but here's something (if you want to see it better, save and print the image). 

(http://www.kristinewickstrom.homestead.com/files/rats/ratlifesmall.jpg)

I forgot to add Bill and Margie and I'll also add Skeeter:

Bill M  24 months

Margie F  27 months

Skeeter M 27 months

One more.

Tovi - M - 28 months old.  Nasty yucky lump on face/resp issues/fell apart basically..

i knew a guy who had his pet rat for 6 years before it died! too bad that's not average  :(

our baby, Weaver approx 1 year - PTS for myco.

Bad Rattitude Rattery

Barney- pet store rat died of an absess at 36 months

Piglet, male, pet store feeder rat, 7 years old.  :'(  :'(  :'( miss him!

7 years!?!  holy crap!!!

i meant:
 ratty- 1 year

died three weeks ago :(
cause: tumor in his tummy :'(

*sneaks in quietly*



One to add unfortunately:

Badger, died at the age of 2 years and 8 months (32 months), pts after growing very old and weak.

Wain- 26 (approx.) months old age/tumors (?)

Weezil -- 40 months -- PTS because of stroke, decreasing appetite, paralysis, etc.

Ferret -- 41 months -- PTS because of congestive heart failure.

acrobat 1 years old put down from brain tumor

Gussy F 27 months  ???
Gizmo M 3 months (came from bad pet store  >:()

chewie - 28 months - unresponsive middle ear infection
yoda - 28 months - sent with his brother
andrew - 15 months - lung scarring

Fuzzy -- 12 months -- complications from stroke
Bonsai -- 16 months -- "old age" (poor breeding)
Trixie --  17 months -- PTS for what vet thought was complications from stroke
Peppy -- 22 months -- PTS due to rapid decline from "old age"

I hate that the ratty "old age" can be so young!  But every day we have with these sweet creatures is a blessing. . . .

Crowbar-4 months, her cause of death was unknown, but it was like she had a heart attack. Possibly from pine shaving bedding

Sophie (F)  28.5 months

Mona, about 15 months, PTS after severe complications due to a stroke/ oxygen deprivation. Extremely lethargic all of a sudden after initial improvement (because of steroids).

Lucy, about 15 months, PTS during surgery as she had a huge tumor growing inside of herself. That tumor grew around vital organs and main blood vessels. She wouldn't have had much more life after the surgery and she would have painfully died at home otherwise. We decided to let her go.
Both within 2 weeks.

Jakeroonie, pet store, slowing down and couldn't clean himself. He was 3 1/2

Cheyenne~~ F, rescue, 15 months, mycoplasma

max: male,  3 years and 9 months old (45 months old) though now i have reason to suspect he was even older than that (i got him from a petstore and unlike what everyone is saying about petstore rats he was an excelent rat) , reason of death is most likely old age though his amonia he got when he was 2's was part of the reason too

stripe: male 2 years, PTS because of a rupture in his bloodcells in his nose which meant everytime he sneezed blood would spew from his nose atleast htat was the reason according to the vet

Monkie: Female, Black Dumbo Berkshire.  23 months (estimate).  Pneumonia.

Angel: Female, Pink-eyed-white.  20 months (estimate).  Intestinal Tumor.

Both girls were spayed before 8 months old and neither developed mammary tumors.  They were both part of the rescue in Chicago in April, 2003.  Monkie died waiting for the vet to call us back.  Angel was PTS approximately 2 weeks later.  She was suffering from dehydration and an inability to digest food as a result of the tumor.

Thankfully, they're survived by all their rattie friends, all 8 of them, ranging in age from 6 months to 2 years.

Beans (M)    18 months

Olie: 20 September 2002 to 2 November 2004. Natural causes from complications of colon or rectal cancer. He was a happy and playful rat the morning he died, and I swear he didn't know he was sick.