A Lab Rat's Last Meal?

[jatango]

So i'm taking this Lab Animal Science techniques class here at Rutgers, and tonight is Castration night. *winces* We put the boys under anesthetic, castrate them, and then give them an overdose of anesthesia to send them over the rainbow bridge.   (This is in case we botch the surgery. It'd be cruel to let them die of peritonitis.) My question is, what should I sneak to my lab rat as a last meal? Since they can't vomit, it shouldn't be an issue with the anesthetic. I just want the last human act they witness to be one of kindness.

Any ideas?

[flannel]

How about a thousand and one yogies? Chocolate ice cream? I understand why you have to do what you have to do.  How tough for you. Be strong, ok? Give the little guy lots of scritches and kindness - that will go a long way for both of you.

[Ingwall]

Chocolate ice cream sounds about right. Something very delicious and notoriously unhealthy, rich in fat and sugar. Let their last day be as pleasant to him as possible. May their souls rest in peace.  

[Adventure Rats]

Bring a bag of Chocolate and Peanut Butter chips in with you. It'll be easier then chocolate ice cream. Be stronge and give the boy plenty of loving to let him know his life has benefited other lives to come after his. (((HUGS))) to you cause I'm sure this will be very hard.

[buffynewbie]

Spaghetti & metballs w/ sauce & parmesan cheese!!!!!!!!!!

[xedra77]

Buffy, I just had a visual of someone trying to sneak a plate of spagehtti and meatballs into the animal lab.  .  .

How about popcorn - my kids think its the ultimate treat.

BTW I've been there too and I'll be thinking of you

[Falls City Rattery]

I did not know it would be Moe's last meal..

But he had the treat of Chicken bones.

Jennifer

[jatango]

Thanks for the support guys. I managed to sneak a meatball, some cheese, and this weird cookie cereal stuff out of the dining hall and went an hour early to feed him. It was really rough. I originally picked him because he bruxxed whenever there were people around. He was doing that while I fed him, while I gave his IP injection, and even under anesthetic! (My prof. says some do that, it's just a reflex.) I castrated him and drew some blood from his jugular, sutured him up and gave him some scritches. Then DR. Katz sent him over the bridge...unfortunately he didn't use an OD of drugs like I thought he was going to. Let's just say it was not fun. But the little guy is in little rattie heaven now, eating all the meatballs he could get a hold of. (He LOVED the meatball!)

Thanks again for your support, guys.

[jessiree]

Thanks for the support guys. I managed to sneak a meatball, some cheese, and this weird cookie cereal stuff out of the dining hall and went an hour early to feed him. It was really rough. I originally picked him because he bruxxed whenever there were people around. He was doing that while I fed him, while I gave his IP injection, and even under anesthetic! (My prof. says some do that, it's just a reflex.) I castrated him and drew some blood from his jugular, sutured him up and gave him some scritches. Then DR. Katz sent him over the bridge...unfortunately he didn't use an OD of drugs like I thought he was going to. Let's just say it was not fun. But the little guy is in little rattie heaven now, eating all the meatballs he could get a hold of. (He LOVED the meatball!)

Thanks again for your support, guys.

*hugs*  sorry you had to go through it, but i understand the necessity.  I don't want to think about how he went if it wasn't an OD of the anesthetic..but it doesn't sound very professioanl of your teacher....I'm sure that was hard for you, too..we'll always be here if you need to talk about things like this...

[buffynewbie]

Where are you going to school? I am surprised they don't have other alternatives to live animal usage. It does sounds like you are a very humane person and the last meal was a very sweet gesture. I belong to PCRM, "Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine". They can be a good resource for you and maybe you can be that person which makes the difference in your school and its program.

www.pcrm.org

Best Wishes,
AL

[DragonTamer]

you're very strong.... I would never be able to handle something like that........

[jatango]

Where are you going to school? I am surprised they don't have other alternatives to live animal usage.

I go to Rutgers University in NJ, and we do have MANY programs and alternatives to animal usage. Unfortunately, a computer or even the best SIM can't replace the way living tissue moves and works under the hands. Believe me, if there was another way that was just as good, i'd be all over it, but I need to learn as well. Unfortunately it seems you spend all undergrad having to PTS things and all vet school unlearning that behavior. *sigh* I feel bad for the ratties, but they've helped me immensely. Since you don't get much exotics training in vet school, this may be my only opportunity to practice rodent restraint.

Thanks again guys, you rock!

[huskee]

.... on a totally different topic. You go to Rutgers University? O.o So do I! I actually withdrew from this semester but I am attending Mason Gross School of the Arts.

[SaniTsPlayground]

I just came on this post today and I am siting here crying.  I am graduating this spring, but enrolling in vet tech school next fall just cause English is NOT my dream career....isn't even a career at all...LOL.  Anyhoo, I feel like you did that right thing and I only hope I can be so strong when presented such situations in the next couple years.