The Story of Caffiene and Cool Whip

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WARNING: There are some opinions I express that you may not agree with, so please...don't start a huge argument about. Also, there are some pictures of Cool Whip that have given small children nightmares.

I went in on Tuesday, it was a normal day. There was a Euthanasia coming in at four and it was a rat. I thought to myself that Chipotle really needs a friend, if the tumor (the reason for the euthanasia) isn't too bad, I'll put the rattie through surgery and have a friend for Chipotle. This rat is named Caffiene.

The woman comes in with her son in tears. I looked into the cage and there are two rats! ...I don't need two. I can't even spend enough time with the one I have! ...she then looked at me as I weighed them, and asked what I was thinking. I guess it was obvious I was contemplating something. I told her that I had a rat in the Doctor's office named Chipotle, who was pretty lonely. I told her that I'd been thinking about asking her to sign the rat over to me and I'd see what I can do to help them. As she signed, I made sure she knew that euthanasia may be unavoidable as the two girls were not in good shape. She agreed, and told me that she'd rather not know what I've done. So, they became mine and she gave me some history. She said they were both sisters, and have been in her classroom since she bought them. She said the tumor on Caffiene has only been there since Friday, and that she brought Cool Whip in because parents were complaining that their children were having nightmares.

So, I took them back and sat their cage next to Chipotle's and took some pictures.

Caffeine (the tumor is on her left hip, it looks like an extra rat) and Cool Whip (the mauled face)

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd182/tdyannd/Chipotle%20and%20Chamomile/S5007891.jpg

THERE WILL BE A FEW MORE POSTS BEFORE I'M DONE, SO DON'T POST YET :]

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I was torn...I didn't know what to do with these two. They were a mess, they smelled, and they looked neglected. I knew that I needed to call our Exotics Vet, and so I did.

In the meantime, the two regular doctors and I sat down and discussed my options. We decided to poke Caffeine's tumor to see if we could see under the microscope if it was Cancer or not. The doctor looked, and saw some 'questionable' cells, but nothing more than that as there was so much blood.

We also got some drops for Cool Whips face, as maybe it's justan infection.

Here, you can really see the tumor on Caffiene.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd182/tdyannd/Chipotle%20and%20Chamomile/S5007895.jpg

And, here's a close up of Cool Whip's face.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd182/tdyannd/Chipotle%20and%20Chamomile/S5007894.jpg

More coming, hold on!

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So, I took the babies home and did a lot of thinking. Putting a two year old rat under for surgery for as long as it'd take to remove that tumor...it'd be extremely risky. Then, it seemed very, very attatched, and we weren't sure if there'd be enough skin left to close her back up. Also, having only grown since Friday, if that's true or not (it is possible), is pretty dangerous. Rattie didn't seem to be in pain, more uncomfortable. The next morning, I decided it best to go ahead an Euthanize her. After the aspirating (poking the tumor with a needle) it had become ver inflammed and grown larger.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd182/tdyannd/Chipotle%20and%20Chamomile/S5007932.jpg

We will bury her this afternoon.

The exotics vet came by while we were dealing with Caffiene, and she said that yes, it would be best to her go. The tumor was too involved. She also looked at pictures I had of Cool Whip and said I needed to worry about viral stuff and possibly skin cancer. Albino animals are prone to skin cancer more so than any other.

So, I called the previous owner. I asked her if they'd ever sat in front of a window in her classroom, and she said they hadn't. Then, I asked how long Cool Whip's face had been this way, and she said four months. >:|

...so, I decided that in a week, I'll decide what will become of Cool Whip. I'm medicating her twice a day with antibiotics and some drops, but I stopped the drops this morning, as she washes them off and is really irritating the wounds. If she's not better, it may be the end of the line for her as well. She's incredibly sweet, definitely a much nicer rat than Chipotle, but Chipotle and I are definitely getting there.

Here Cool Whip is as of this morning...

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd182/tdyannd/Chipotle%20and%20Chamomile/S5007950.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd182/tdyannd/Chipotle%20and%20Chamomile/S5007961.jpg

I have also brough them home. We have a small room off of ur car port that they stay in, and I take them out in the day for fresh hair. So, in a week...if there's improvement with Cool Whip, I will purchase another cage and let them live in one cage together as right now they are seperated.

Okay, I'm done.

[CatsnRats]

Poor ratties... Caffiene reminds me of my rat Impatient before I had to have her put to sleep... Tumor in the same location and everything. She held on for a while though. As long as she was happy, healthy, and getting around without difficulty, I let her stay with me. She was two and half when I took her into the vet.

And poor Cool Whip! I had a rat that her sister ripped off some skin on her neck, right before I had to go into work. Called in, said I'd be late, and treated her with regular antibiotics and then quarantined her in a cat carrier. I can't see how anyone could leave one of these beautiful little angels to live like that and not even care.

She is a gorgeous PEW though. Best of luck with her.

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...we were wondering if perhaps Caffiene had bitten Cool Whip, and then the excessive grooming or dominance grooming wasn't letting it heal. We'll see, though. I'm hoping she does well...she's sooooo sweet. I'm about to post more pictures in a second, so you'll have to check back. :]

[krazy4birds]

Poor Cool Whip she looks rather pathetic right now but I think she will heal. I hope you have good luck with her.

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Thanks. :] I hope so. I tried not to get attatched as I'm very Pessimistic, but I couldn't help it. She's so nice and cute...if you can see past the wounds. :]

[Ltlpistol]

It's almost scary the way her eyes glow when you take a picture! But best of luck with her.

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It is creepy. There's one...the last picture, where you can see her little pupil! It's downright creepy. I'm not a big fan of Albino's, but seems no one really is. My motto: ...the ugly one's need love too. :]

[katiem]

WARNING: There are some opinions I express that you may not agree with, so please...don't start a huge argument about. Also, there are some pictures of Cool Whip that have given small children nightmares.




I think I would have nightmares too, if I had a teacher who would let a problem like this persist for 4 months! What a woman!:mad:

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I think I would have nightmares too, if I had a teacher who would let a problem like this persist for 4 months!

Agreed. I was floored when she said, '...hmm, about four months.' There was an awkward silence. Cool Whip is otherwise healthy, so I'm hoping for a good recovery.

[nanamouse]

Four months? I hope she doesn't have pets at home!

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...they do have other pets. Cats and dogs, I think. They're nice people, sometimes good clients. I'm just worried as to what else is dying in her classroom?!

[nanamouse]

I always thought the purpose of classoom pets was to expose kids to taking care of animals. I hope the poor little things make it, they're cute, actually.

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...well, I put Caffiene down already. :( But, Cool Whip is coming along slowly.

I do agree that the purpose of classroom pets are to educate...just think of all the kids that have seen these poor things. I wonder what she said when they asked what was wrong with them.

[nanamouse]

[QUOTE=TIFFERS]...well, I put Caffiene down already. :( But, Cool Whip is coming along slowly. QUOTE]

Oops, I must have missed that bouncing back and forth between forums! Just a stressful day, I noticed the kids looking at me funny while I was fixing my plate at supper and realized I'd just put grated parmesan on my salad instead of my spaghetti! And it tastes pretty good on ranch dressing too!:p

How attached were Caffiene and Cool Whip? Will it be a problem that she's alone now?

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It's okay, with your daughter's situation, I'd be a bit flustered, too. :]

I'm not sure, as I only had them together for a day before I made the decision put Caffeine down. Cool Whip's cage is right next to Chipotle's, so she's not entirely alone. I hope she won't get too depressed.

[CatsnRats]

It's okay, with your daughter's situation, I'd be a bit flustered, too. :]

I'm not sure, as I only had them together for a day before I made the decision put Caffeine down. Cool Whip's cage is right next to Chipotle's, so she's not entirely alone. I hope she won't get too depressed.

Careful with letting them get that close so soon! If Cool Whip has any sort of illness you don't want Chipotle getting it too. Generally the recommended quarantine period is three weeks, to make sure the new rat isn't ill. Obviously she is injured and you will need to keep them seperated until that heals but there's also respiratory infections, myco, and other airborne illnesses that spread from rat to rat.

Also I absolutely ADORE albinos. Ruby was my first(I called her my Ruby eyed Angel) and I loved her to death. And then Trisssha, Trisss, and Trissskette were the three I adopted from the humane society(and dad said I could only have one lol). Trisss was the one that got her neck torn up(I have pictures somewhere) and Trissskette was the one that did it. I know because Trisssha had bite marks too. But I loved all my albino girls. They are the sweetest little things.

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Careful with letting them get that close so soon! If Cool Whip has any sort of illness you don't want Chipotle getting it too. Generally the recommended quarantine period is three weeks, to make sure the new rat isn't ill. Obviously she is injured and you will need to keep them seperated until that heals but there's also respiratory infections, myco, and other airborne illnesses that spread from rat to rat.
They've been side by side since the two were signed over to me. Caffiene had no sort of lesions on her face, and Cool Whip is not sneezing, scratching, or have any discharges. We think it's a wound, be it from a bite from Caffiene, the obvious dominant, or a small cruel child in the classroom. But, we'll never know. It's also obvious that Chipotle's immune system is not as suppressed as Cool Whip's. But, the minute something looks funny on my kids, is the very minute I call the doctor. Seriously. I've got cell phone and house phone numbers for all of them and can drive up to work no matter the hour to get an injection or pills to start. :] So, trust me when I say that Chipotle isn't going to be allowed to get as far as Cool Whip.

[CatsnRats]

I trust you to take very good care of your pets. I'm just incredibly paranoid all the time. If anything seems out of place, I freak out.

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...I'm not as paranoid as I am pessimistic. I don't like to be disappointed when things go wrong, so I'm expecting Chipotle to catch something. In a sense, I'd feel better knowing I don't have to put Cool Whip down because she's not healing. Sure, it'd stink to have two sick babies...but, I'd at least know what it could be versus going in blind like we are now.

[Kaye]

It is creepy. There's one...the last picture, where you can see her little pupil! It's downright creepy. I'm not a big fan of Albino's, but seems no one really is. My motto: ...the ugly one's need love too. :]

I looove albinos (though albino rats do look a bit weird with their eyes being so bulgy). They fascinate me. :D

Sorry, just had to comment on that.

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The only thing that really bothers me about albino's is that their eyes glow in the pictures! Poor Cool Whip looks very scary in them... :[

[katiem]

I gotta say, and I mean this as no insult to anyone, but albino rats creep me out! And for some reason, to me atleast, they seem dirtier than coloured rats, as in they stain more easily.

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No offense taken, Katiem. Albino's aren't may favorite either. They just seem...I don't...weird. :] Oh well, the little dear needs some help, so here I am.

[freak]

Good luck with Cool Whip!! I think they are and were both beautiful, I'm sorry about Caffeine though. :-(

[CatsnRats]

Odd question but with the talk of albinos I thought I might ask...

Have any of you ever seen odd-eye rats? Odd-eyes are creepy lol. And I still think they're adorable. But rats were also my first love and therefore will forever hold a place in my heart, never mind how weird they may look.

Here's the AFRMA's standard pictures of odd-eyes: http://www.afrma.org/ratsoe.htm

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Odd-eye? As in one red and one black? I've seen one...I think it was a black hooded, but I'm not sure.

[CatsnRats]

Odd-eye? As in one red and one black? I've seen one...I think it was a black hooded, but I'm not sure.

Yeah. Either red and black or red and really really deep almost black ruby. Odd-eyes are creepy weird and fantastically awesome... although the gene that does that to their eyes also causes some medical issues... Just like the tailless gene causes problems and so on...

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...I've always wondered...why there are sooooo many labrats, when it's obvious that they're all bound to get Cancer and die from it. How do they know if a carcinogen really is, if it's in the genes to end up with cancer? :confused:

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...I've always wondered...why there are sooooo many labrats, when it's obvious that they're all bound to get Cancer and die from it. How do they know if a carcinogen really is, if it's in the genes to end up with cancer? :confused:

[katiem]

Odd question but with the talk of albinos I thought I might ask...

Have any of you ever seen odd-eye rats? Odd-eyes are creepy lol. And I still think they're adorable. But rats were also my first love and therefore will forever hold a place in my heart, never mind how weird they may look.

Here's the AFRMA's standard pictures of odd-eyes: http://www.afrma.org/ratsoe.htm


It's funny, but while Albinos give me the willies, odd eyed rats are fine! But then I think odd eyed dogs are neat too, and though I've never actually seen an odd eyed human I think they must be pretty awesome! (I think I heard that the actress Kate Bosworth is odd eyed, as is Mila Kunis from That 70s Show).