A few days ago I was addressed with the information I provide on my pedigrees for my rats. I was told that having incomplete pedigree's are unethical, and that rats with respiratory issues are not something you want to breed. I was also questioned on a few other things, in a not so nice way. I wanted to publicly address this, as I feel this is important.
Firstly, Yes not all my rats have a complete pedigree. However as I have always said and have stated on my website, I am striving to breed for genetic strength, Health and temperament. I am working foreword to improving my rats for both breeding and pets for public members, working toward to improvement is why I am breeding. Granted that Yes, breeding rats from already established lines is amazing and you know more about the animals it does not guarantee that there will never be issues with your lines or rather the lines you have adapted to as your own. I started with lines that came from hobby breeders, over 4 years ago. Before I moved to create my rattery I was giving away the animals to friends, family and or public, for little to no cost as I was still LEARNING. I have a very good hold on rat health and the understanding of the anatomy, while I do not know everything I can never expect to. However I do expect myself to continue to learn if I wish to continue my rattery, and so far I have been doing so. Yes, not all my animals have complete pedigrees. Some that I do know the pedigrees to I have just not been able to access NARR for a few months, only until this past 2 weeks I was able to re-enter the website after switching my router.
Secondly, Rats are born with Mycoplasma. Mycoplasma lives IN THE LUNGS! It causes and or allows the lungs to be susceptible to Upper Respiratory infections as well as other secondary infections. I strive to promote ethical pet ownership as well as breeding, this includes correct vetting (Providing medical care from a vet). I use Dr. Munn at greenwood, before that point I use the vet I previously worked for in conjunction with medications I had purchased myself. Common medications I use and carry are Doxy (Doxycycline), Baytril (Enrofloxacin) and Amoxi (amoxicillin). So yes, I have bred rats that expressed respiratory distress at some point in their life. However, I clearly state that with Mycoplasma you can get these issues or side effects and it is sadly inevitable. While most of my rats that expressed respiratory issues do so while getting older, this common as the rats immune system starts to fail as seen in other animals and humans. In adjacent, I have had No rats die under the age of 1 to 1.5 years old due to respiratory destress or problems. I also have not have rats die on their own due to repository issues either, this is with the exception of my 4 year old female Ice Cream who was put down this past Feb.
Ice Cream was one of the first breeding females I used before I started to use online pedigree options, her information is on a paper copy hand drawn into a format similar to NARR pedigree's. Ice Cream was 4 years old, born in December of 2012. I had gotten her from a hobby breeder who has used her once to produce a litter himself, at the age of 7-8 months (estimation) I used her for one last litter of my own before retiring her and keeping her as my heart rat and closest most meaningful companion. In the September of 2015 Ice Creams back end started to show considerable deterioration, and around the time of death she was completely unable to use her hind end which resulted as another main reason of her Euthanasia. Slowly going blind from age, she was then accompanied by a growing memory tumor. Tumor, blindness, Respiratory stress as well as walking issues the choice was clear. The day I made the final decision I had found a rather large hematoma (a solid swelling of clotted blood within the tissues) on her hind end more then likely from falling or trauma from the lack of use in the hind end. It took me a few days to come to terms with the choice but I do not regret it, I did this for her and to keep her alive would be selfish.
Furthermore, I was questioned on a few deaths I have had.
Willow, my black self female was killed in an accident 4 months after she had her first and last litter. While playtime was in session and I was cleaning Willow being the crazy happy girl climbed the baby gate I had set up, Sadly it came loose and fell on top of her. She panicked in my arms as she was gasping or air, shortly after she passed. I did an autopsy and found a broken rib lodged in her lung with extreme chest bleeding compressing the lungs, which was the cause of death. This was a mistake, totally not expected and really yes my fault. And I do blame myself as anyone would when a pet dies under their care, however she is gone and with that I hope she rests much better now.
Ducky, Dobby and little foot. All 3 had been a hairless throw from a litter, with no experience with healthy hairless I was already stressed about their care. Being the runts of the litter I strived to supplement, sadly Little foot died at only a few weeks old, ducky was soon to follow due to getting far to cold. Dobby was a fair age before he passed away, with no explanation or signs.
Mink baby, this kit (or pup) was in perfect health. Sadly, while a family member was holding the litter she slipped from the pile. When I returned and put them away the head count showed she was missing, I heard screaming from my dogs mouth. Yes, my dog had gotten her she was alive but died the following day from her injuries. Mistakes happen, and dogs are predators as rats are pray. I would expect nothing else but this to happen as the dog just took the opportunity. I have learned from this and I am much much more careful.
I do not claim to be perfect, nor have I ever or will ever. I strive for my animals, they mean so much more to me then just "Money" or a "Hobby". They are FAMILY, and as such this is why I take so much time into finding good homes. My contract and application is put in place to help ease my mind into allowing them to be adopted, trust me when I say. If I could keep all my kids (Rats) I would, but to continue to provide the best care I can I much keep my number manageable.
Thank you for the time, and understanding.
-Mikaylah
Firstly, Yes not all my rats have a complete pedigree. However as I have always said and have stated on my website, I am striving to breed for genetic strength, Health and temperament. I am working foreword to improving my rats for both breeding and pets for public members, working toward to improvement is why I am breeding. Granted that Yes, breeding rats from already established lines is amazing and you know more about the animals it does not guarantee that there will never be issues with your lines or rather the lines you have adapted to as your own. I started with lines that came from hobby breeders, over 4 years ago. Before I moved to create my rattery I was giving away the animals to friends, family and or public, for little to no cost as I was still LEARNING. I have a very good hold on rat health and the understanding of the anatomy, while I do not know everything I can never expect to. However I do expect myself to continue to learn if I wish to continue my rattery, and so far I have been doing so. Yes, not all my animals have complete pedigrees. Some that I do know the pedigrees to I have just not been able to access NARR for a few months, only until this past 2 weeks I was able to re-enter the website after switching my router.
Secondly, Rats are born with Mycoplasma. Mycoplasma lives IN THE LUNGS! It causes and or allows the lungs to be susceptible to Upper Respiratory infections as well as other secondary infections. I strive to promote ethical pet ownership as well as breeding, this includes correct vetting (Providing medical care from a vet). I use Dr. Munn at greenwood, before that point I use the vet I previously worked for in conjunction with medications I had purchased myself. Common medications I use and carry are Doxy (Doxycycline), Baytril (Enrofloxacin) and Amoxi (amoxicillin). So yes, I have bred rats that expressed respiratory distress at some point in their life. However, I clearly state that with Mycoplasma you can get these issues or side effects and it is sadly inevitable. While most of my rats that expressed respiratory issues do so while getting older, this common as the rats immune system starts to fail as seen in other animals and humans. In adjacent, I have had No rats die under the age of 1 to 1.5 years old due to respiratory destress or problems. I also have not have rats die on their own due to repository issues either, this is with the exception of my 4 year old female Ice Cream who was put down this past Feb.
Ice Cream was one of the first breeding females I used before I started to use online pedigree options, her information is on a paper copy hand drawn into a format similar to NARR pedigree's. Ice Cream was 4 years old, born in December of 2012. I had gotten her from a hobby breeder who has used her once to produce a litter himself, at the age of 7-8 months (estimation) I used her for one last litter of my own before retiring her and keeping her as my heart rat and closest most meaningful companion. In the September of 2015 Ice Creams back end started to show considerable deterioration, and around the time of death she was completely unable to use her hind end which resulted as another main reason of her Euthanasia. Slowly going blind from age, she was then accompanied by a growing memory tumor. Tumor, blindness, Respiratory stress as well as walking issues the choice was clear. The day I made the final decision I had found a rather large hematoma (a solid swelling of clotted blood within the tissues) on her hind end more then likely from falling or trauma from the lack of use in the hind end. It took me a few days to come to terms with the choice but I do not regret it, I did this for her and to keep her alive would be selfish.
Furthermore, I was questioned on a few deaths I have had.
Willow, my black self female was killed in an accident 4 months after she had her first and last litter. While playtime was in session and I was cleaning Willow being the crazy happy girl climbed the baby gate I had set up, Sadly it came loose and fell on top of her. She panicked in my arms as she was gasping or air, shortly after she passed. I did an autopsy and found a broken rib lodged in her lung with extreme chest bleeding compressing the lungs, which was the cause of death. This was a mistake, totally not expected and really yes my fault. And I do blame myself as anyone would when a pet dies under their care, however she is gone and with that I hope she rests much better now.
Ducky, Dobby and little foot. All 3 had been a hairless throw from a litter, with no experience with healthy hairless I was already stressed about their care. Being the runts of the litter I strived to supplement, sadly Little foot died at only a few weeks old, ducky was soon to follow due to getting far to cold. Dobby was a fair age before he passed away, with no explanation or signs.
Mink baby, this kit (or pup) was in perfect health. Sadly, while a family member was holding the litter she slipped from the pile. When I returned and put them away the head count showed she was missing, I heard screaming from my dogs mouth. Yes, my dog had gotten her she was alive but died the following day from her injuries. Mistakes happen, and dogs are predators as rats are pray. I would expect nothing else but this to happen as the dog just took the opportunity. I have learned from this and I am much much more careful.
I do not claim to be perfect, nor have I ever or will ever. I strive for my animals, they mean so much more to me then just "Money" or a "Hobby". They are FAMILY, and as such this is why I take so much time into finding good homes. My contract and application is put in place to help ease my mind into allowing them to be adopted, trust me when I say. If I could keep all my kids (Rats) I would, but to continue to provide the best care I can I much keep my number manageable.
Thank you for the time, and understanding.
-Mikaylah