How Will Ivory Feel?

[babygirl12]

How will Ivory feel when she no longer has her sister Lily, when she gets pts? Will she feel sad and need more attention? What will happen? just wondering.

[scout]

Many rats appear depressed when they lose a cagemate. They aren't as interested in eating or interacting with their human. They may not be interested in things they've always enjoyed before. It's important to spend as much time with a bereaved rat as you can. Some rats may recover within days, other rats may take a few weeks or even a month. Sometimes a bereaved rat may even become ill, so watch carefully for any signs of illness.

Many people think it's important for the surviving rat to see the body of the rat who has died. It's recommended that you place the deceased rat in the cage with the surviving rat and leave it until the rat shows no further interest in the body. I wouldn't leave the body more than an hour, and I would pull the body out if the surviving rat shows an inclination to eat the body. It's an instinctive reaction - a way that rats dispose of bodies and protect themselves from potential predators. But we humans find it gruesome.

Take care of yourself as well. People are sometimes surprised to discover how deeply they grieve over the loss of a rat, even when it's expected.

[reesesgma]

sounds like scout covered it all. Im so sorry that you will need to have your baby pts. Give Ivory lots of lovin and extra goodies from us all.

[babygirl12]

Thank you so much, and because i never would have known to leave the body in there, for something like closure. But dont you think if i take her out of the cage and take her to the vet to have her pts, then i bring her back and just leave ivory the body;; wont she think that it was me that did something to Lily? And usually when i open the cage Ivory expects to get treats or food or to come out to play, and she will just get this? I hate to think of it, but it seems like it would be horrible for her.

But i guess what has to be done has to be done..
But thankyou.

[wonderrodent]

I had to do this with my girl (have her PTS and then bring her back). Don't worry, I doubt rats can "think" that way. When you bring the body back, give Ivory treats first or take her out for a while and then show her the body.

What is wrong with your girl?

[Nokithis]

when i had noki euthanized, thistle traveled with her.  she saw noki after and got to say goodbye.  i let her tell me when if was time to leave noki. 

[lilspaz68]

I don't let my rats see the body after a euthanasia anymore.  I found that the sensitive ones were even more depressed afterwards or I was the one upset when the cagemates seemed to care less.  I have found that I do better not letting them see the body afterwards.  Its a personal choice IMO.

[KoalaLou2]

I definitely feel it is a personal choice.  When I put Minski to sleep I brought him back so his brothers could see him.  But by this time he had been living in a different cage for awhile (he had PT).  They only wanted the baby food that had gotten stuck to his fur due to his lack of coordination in his final days.  They could care less about the body, to them, Minski had left weeks ago when he no longer recognized his brothers.
But if I had a cagemate PTS that was still living with the others, then I would let them see the body and they can react however they want.  Ivory may not care about the body at all or she may have a better understanding that her friend is gone.  Whatever her reaction, do not feel bad or judge her for it. 
If you choose not to show her the body, it can lead to confusion as to where her friend went, but as lilspaz says, it can also lead to more severe depression to see the body.  It is something you should think about and talk about with those close to you.
Spend as much time with Ivory as possible because she will be lonely and depressed.  She could bounce right back and be okay right away, others have had the surviving mate get very sick from the loss.  It is never easy to lose a loved one.  Sending big hugs your way!

[babygirl12]

Do you think that we could get Ivory a new friend to make her happy? or would she be territorial? just wondering

[whtnyte]

Dilbert was with his buddy Mad-Eye when Maddie boy passed (he had been very sick with a major infection that didn't respond to medication) Dilbert literally came to get me and let me know that he had passed. After I cuddled my departed buddy and shed some tears over him, I showed him to Dilbert so he knew I wasn't able to revive him. Dilbert gently gave Mad-Eye one last groom and then went on his merry way.

Another companion is always preferred. We can never take the place of a rat buddy. Dilbert loves having buddies to cuddle with, so he now has 3 youngsters that are his "boys" he grooms them, sleeps with them, teaches them the fine art of pea fishing and is generally happy to have his little "nephews" even though he's 30 months old.