New home needed - for a hairless rat!

[JackSpratt]

How sad. Although again a breeder problem.

I am entirely in agreement with you, Ela. His age meant any medical treatment under anaesthetic would put pressure on his body. If he hadn't been that specific breed, it's unlikely he would've needed corrective surgery for his eye. I think that although the surgery was necessary, and he was recovering well his body just couldn't quite cope. It's extremely sad, and as you said yet again down to people wanting an animal to look a certain way(breeder problem). (Did you know domesticated rats are prone to respiratory issues, so the fact that humans bred these rats without fur makes them more susceptible to colds etc?)

Anyway, sorry - rant over! I just feel it's a little unjust on all the Franklins in the world! As I said before he really was very sweet, and I find it frustrating that he had to suffer due to human vanity.

[Ela]

How sad. Although again a breeder problem.

[Yvonne]

So sad to hear this 

   Franklyn

[Sam (Fussy_Furball)]

  Ahhh poor little lad.

RIP Franklyn xxxx

[Sue P (Paddysmum)]

That's very sad.  Poor little feller.  RIP Franklyn, baby

[JackSpratt]

Well, I did get a few updates about Franklin but the most recent one is pretty sad.

Here it is:
"2 weeks ago, Frankie had his electrolysis to remove some of his eyelashes. All went well and he was healing up lovely. Went to get him out to
 bathe his eye this morning and he was in a very distressed and distressing state. He had obviously had a stroke and his entire left side was
 paralysed. I took him up to the vets where we decided that the kindest thing was to let him pass on and so he was PTS.

Thank you so much for letting him come stay with me, he was such a little treasure."

I think it's awfully sad that Franklin only got a small amount of time in what sounded like a wonderful home for him. But at least he got that time.

RIP, Franklin. You really were a sweetie.

[JackSpratt]

I hope so, Lynn. It was one of the conditions of him going to her!(Or indeed, anyone!)

[CurlyCatz]

wow im amazed he bit her, i do wander if it is more to do with all the ratty smells she probably had, hopefully he'll be a good boy and not do it again.

Looking forward to updates if she gives you one.

[JackSpratt]

Well, Franklin was picked up today. I got a bit teary eyed (sad, I know.) and said goodbye to him.

Just got a message from the lady who's taken him on, and apparantly he bit her when he arrived.....probably the travel to be fair to the little guy! He's keeping the name Franklin which surprises me, but I'm happy he's with knowledgeable people. He has a problem with his eye, and it's more serious than I had first realised, the lady that took him on has had experience of the same problem with a previous hairless rat and is fully prepared to pay what it costs to rectify. (She was  told of the problem before she took him, so I didn't sneak a "problem animal" on her!)

She's hoping to send me a photo of him settling in later. If she does, I'll try and put it on the thread!

Thanks for the answers, Sam and Lynn.

[CurlyCatz]

Fantastic news for franklin, and i hope she keeps his name as it was rather cute i thought.

[Sam (Fussy_Furball)]

Great news ... sounds like "baldy" it going to be in rat heaven.

[JackSpratt]

He has somewhere. A lady with 22 rats and a room that's just for them! The room is fully rat proofed and due to him being hairless she even said if I was worried about her wanting him for breeding she'd have him neutered!

It sounds ideal. He's being picked up Wednesday by a chap to take him half of his journey. I'll miss him, actually.

[JackSpratt]

Ok, he's here! He's a lovely thing, a bit unsure about handling, probably due to not getting much of it! But he hasn't tried to bite once. I've called him Franklin, because everything needs a name.

[JackSpratt]

Hehe! I had rats for years, the last one I had developed a tumour though and it was terribly traumatic. (She was an ex breeder rat too.)

My partner doesn't like seeing animals caged and has already compromised with the other rescue rodents I'm taking on.

If anyone knows of anyone who they think might be interested, you can give me their contact info and I'll get in touch with them.

[ccmacey]

Rather you than me Jack, sorry dont like the little furrys.

[JackSpratt]

I've mentioned this little guy already in the general discussion section.(How to catch a mouse post) Basically, he's a breeder rat and it's been decided that due to his manky eye he isn't "up to standard" genetically to do his job.

He's shy, but not aggressive - I've handled him and he sat in my coat most of the time!  And I think he's approximately a year old. The pet shop owner has said I can have him for free and I would keep him, but I've already agreed to take on a couple of other rescue rodents and don't really have the space or finances!

If you feel you can help, please PM me and I can give you location details etc.