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The vet thought that lump on her is a tumor but then last night it burst!
Holy cow was it an abscess or cyst? It doesn't really seem to me that it was an abscess because I don't see a lot of icky gunk coming out so I called the vet first thing this morning but being that they are just back from a holiday weekend (they're swamped today) and Natalie is acting normally which means this is not an emergency the vet can't see her until tomorrow morning so hopefully this is a very GOOD thing!
I thought the vet might just want to prescribe some Clavamox because that's the best drug for an abcsess but apparently the vet thought this is too odd so she does want to see her before she decides what to do.
While we're waiting for 24 hours.. what I see looks like this is a good thing for Natalie. I sure hope so.
Keep your fingers crossed for her, I am!
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PHRatz

Keep us updated, I hope she doesn't start licking it and cause more problems.
How are you keeping it clean and dry?
Robin
Harm None.

Well I took Natalie to the vet after that tumor burst. She kept her for a few hours that day & then didn't get her any anesthesia because she'd been having trouble breathing.

Turns out she had yet another tumor on her chest that was pressing against her heart & that's what was causing her labored breathing. We knew there was nothing that could be done for her at 33 months of age.
Vet sent her home with medication- hydrocodone to keep her comfortable. It did keep her comfortable but Sunday afternoon she passed on.

I didn't feel too bad about it though because she had a very long life & thanks to meds she had a very easy death.. she just went to sleep and didn't wake up.
Isn't that what we all want? A long life & an easy death. Couldn't have been better.

I miss her but there's always more rats to come & if they can live a long happy life like she did then nothing is better!
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PHRatz

Sorry to hear about Natalies passing.
You are right, she did have a good long life and a gentle passing, its still hard when a beloved animals is gone.
Robin
Harm None.

Thank you Robin,
I almost lost it when I went to school today, one of my coworkers had put a sympathy card in my mail box. Awww so nice of her to do that.

Natalie isn't hurting anymore but you know I think Reba Ratentire misses her. Reba always slept with Natalie and groomed her. Last night when I had them in the playground Reba seemed upset & I think it's because Natalie isn't there.
She'll get over it soon I'm sure though.
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PHRatz

Thats just tugs at my heart! I'm sure they were best friends... no different than when we lose a friend.
Poor Reba will just need alittle extra TLC from her ratty momma.
Robin
Harm None.

Awww Jan I'm sorry. I got so excited when I read that it was looking like a cyst. You're right though, she lived a long and healthy life, was spoiled rotten by a loving mommy and passed peacefully. *huggles*
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~Meg~
~~(XX)8:> Have you hugged a rat today?