Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm sorry I am such a worrywort, but these rats make me all nervous because I don't like anything unexpected to happen to them.

So my favorite rat is pregnant. Last night when I got home I noticed she was bleeding and she seemed dialated down there which I could see because the male was holding her down sniffing at her. I left her alone last night expecting babies this morning but so far nothing. She's still huge and looks pregnant and there is some new blood in the bedding (just a little). She's still eating, drinking and waddling around like normal, but I am afraid the babies will die if she's in labor too long. Has anyone had them wait this long to actually give birth? I am freaked since I lost my last litter. I like this rat enough to take her to the vet to save her life if it comes to that.
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Anna

The Zoo
Corns
1.0 Snow - Cornelius
1.1 Ghost(pastel) - Gray Ghost & Pink
1.1 Amel - Parker & Scarlet
0.1 Hypo - Nikko
0.1 Anery - Missy
0.1 Hypo Motley - Cordelia aka Cordy
Boas
0.1 Columbian (BCC) - Bella
Lizards
1.0 Leopard Gecko - Leo
Rats
0.1 Dumbo Agouti - Moon
1.0 Silvered Black - Pluto
1.0 Powder Blue - Corner
0.1 Dumbo Siamese - Lily
Plus the breeders & babies
Cats
1.1 Siamese - Blue & Fiona
0.1 Gray DMS - Druscilla aka Dru
Horses
1.0 Thourghbred (Hunter/Jumper) - Morgan's Majesty aka Cody

yeah, it happens. She will most likely be fine and you will have baby rats in a few hours.

Good that's reassuring. I made an appointment tonight with the vet just in case so I don't have to pay emergency service fees. If she hasn't had them when I get home and/or appears to be in a lot of pain I'll just take her in to be sure.
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Anna

The Zoo
Corns
1.0 Snow - Cornelius
1.1 Ghost(pastel) - Gray Ghost & Pink
1.1 Amel - Parker & Scarlet
0.1 Hypo - Nikko
0.1 Anery - Missy
0.1 Hypo Motley - Cordelia aka Cordy
Boas
0.1 Columbian (BCC) - Bella
Lizards
1.0 Leopard Gecko - Leo
Rats
0.1 Dumbo Agouti - Moon
1.0 Silvered Black - Pluto
1.0 Powder Blue - Corner
0.1 Dumbo Siamese - Lily
Plus the breeders & babies
Cats
1.1 Siamese - Blue & Fiona
0.1 Gray DMS - Druscilla aka Dru
Horses
1.0 Thourghbred (Hunter/Jumper) - Morgan's Majesty aka Cody

My female had babies while I was at work yesterday. She had 13 but 7 were dead when I got home. Anybody have ideas about why I might have a really high percentage of still borns right now? They look fine on the outside so I don't know what's causing it.
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Anna

The Zoo
Corns
1.0 Snow - Cornelius
1.1 Ghost(pastel) - Gray Ghost & Pink
1.1 Amel - Parker & Scarlet
0.1 Hypo - Nikko
0.1 Anery - Missy
0.1 Hypo Motley - Cordelia aka Cordy
Boas
0.1 Columbian (BCC) - Bella
Lizards
1.0 Leopard Gecko - Leo
Rats
0.1 Dumbo Agouti - Moon
1.0 Silvered Black - Pluto
1.0 Powder Blue - Corner
0.1 Dumbo Siamese - Lily
Plus the breeders & babies
Cats
1.1 Siamese - Blue & Fiona
0.1 Gray DMS - Druscilla aka Dru
Horses
1.0 Thourghbred (Hunter/Jumper) - Morgan's Majesty aka Cody

>>My female had babies while I was at work yesterday. She had 13 but 7 were dead when I got home. Anybody have ideas about why I might have a really high percentage of still borns right now? They look fine on the outside so I don't know what's causing it.
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>>Anna

You know, I have had a couple litters stillborn and I finally decided to change males. I was breeding a pretty tight line of dumbos and I don't know if it has fatal genes or what. But I outcrossed and the next litters were fine. May not be related at all but I will see this next time....it is also an outcross.
I worry more with entire litters down. With half and half I guess I would be glad that I got some. See if they hold up for you.
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Sonya

Haven't we warned you about tampering with the structure of a chaotic system?
Mrs. Neutron

Sometimes the females will bleed a little bit sometimes days before they give birth. If she is still walking around and eating then I say she's not in labor. Usually when they are in labor they don't walk around (usually) and they don't really pay attention to food.
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1.1 Ball Python, 0.1 motley amel corn, 1.0 western hognose

That is true that some females can bleed prior to giving birth, even up to a day or two before. The fact that she is eating and drinking is a good indication that she will be fine and you should have lots of babies to care for.