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Lumps
Found two lumps under Harley's arms. The bad thing about keeping rats is their disturbingly human tendency towards many types of cancer. I dunno particularly if these lumps are even tumors, but my guess would be that they are.
Rats are cheerful, emotional, clever, neurotic little beings. But you require a pharmaceutical cornucopia just to stay on top of things, especially with a rescued feeder rat/pet store rat. Lingering deaths are all too common; I keep a little bottle of chloroform now. Along with a panoply of antibiotics, analgesics, natural supplements, and antihistimines. Cold packs, electrical tape, wire cutters, and a styptic pencil aren't a bad idea, either.
Aside from cancer, Madeline developed cataracts, which is just this rare freak thing in the murine world. Unlucky, but a fantastic old girl. I used to make breakfast with her skulking in my bathrobe. She would hide in my shirt when we went to the Vet. She gave kisses and trimmed my hangnails. When I carried her around the house, she would lean in the direction she wanted me to walk. When she was too small to get off the couch by herself, she would whip her tail back and forth like a testy cat.
Ah! Love and its complications!
last modified Jun 1, 2002 at 0:56
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