I own the most expensive rat EVAR (also pet CC question)

[Koyuki]

Tumors are very common in rats, I've had 4 pet rats and all of them after about 2 years started getting large abscesses on their bodies. 3 of them I had removed and they only lasted about 2-4 months. Thankfully my family is really close to one of the vets near me and they removed the tumors for about 10-20$ per rat. I would in no right mind spend 360$ on a rat that only lives about 2-4 years.

[archibaldcrane]

I wouldn't consider $360 tumor removal surgery "basic" - that's advanced. If I had a tumor that needed removing, I sure as fuck wouldn't consider it "basic medical care of me".

Basic is food/water/a few toys/spay-neuter/shots/teeth-cleaning/washing/exercising. Surgery is for people and very expensive animals that have worth beyond companionship. I have one friend who is a vet, and another one in vet school, and I just can't help but feel their entire raison d'etre is to fleece people who get overly emotionally invested in animals. It's just.../rage

[Nesssie]

I have CareCredit and I like it a lot. I use it for the dentist and for the vet. There's no annual fee and no interest for 6 to 24 months depending on how much you charge.

[Lbelle]

My brother and I had rat pets when we were younger. They were cute, but I was allergic or something and they always left these horrible scratches on me. I liked mine alot though, but I don't think I'd spend 360 bucks on a vet bill over one, you're a better pet owner than I.

[burrito]

Getting a rat treated for Giardia is pretty damn expensive too ~_~ Really, I'd avoid that CC option. Some vets will let you work out a payment plan option in some instances (really depends on the clinic).

[Brien]

When I first saw cc, I thought you were wondering how to "crowd control" your rat... such as a cage or something. (man to many years of mmos)

[Lordwafik]

Eep. On a cat I could justify, on a rat might be harder for me due to the shorter lifespan. To anyone who actually does have a pet however, a lot of the times it's worth the money to keep their companions alive. Once you have a pet you've had for a while and enjoy their company, they're more than "just another animal".

[Chips]

Yeah... $360 on a rat. Inane, IMO.

[Ksandra]

so turns out it was a malignant tumor. But luckily the vet thinks we got it to them fast enough to get everything before it spread. Hoping anyways.

I wish I could find a vet that did the removals for cheap, but I live in socal, so I doubt I'll ever find one lol. It's ok though, again when I get a pet I always assume vet bills will happen like that now and then.

[Fhloston]

That second rat vid was just hilarious. They both seem like "holy shit, you're a rat too!".

But from reading this thread, I'm now less likely to own a pet rat. They seem really high maintenance for a shorter term pet then say, a dog or cat. To each his/her own, though. Best of luck with your rat!

[Tristam]

Wow, sorry to hear about your rat, one of mine just got what I suspect is a big ol' mammary tumor but we're hoping it's just some sort of blockage. This one is just over two years old which is getting old in rat years but we're taking it to the vet anyway and if there's a cheap option we'll take it. Not quite enthused about hearing of your 360$ cost tho.

[Zalius]

you should be ashamed

[Casty]

That first video was awesome.

[Mojo]

YouTube - Cat vs. rat

[Silenka]

Money should be a non-issue when comparing it to something as irreplaceable as life...
even if it's a rat's life

money is just cloth and paper

[Howard Roark]

stupid work computer hides photos without even a little something to tell me an object is blocked BUT

if it made it this far without someone doing this:

http://www.millerandlevine.com/km/evol/DI/mousetrap.gif

I'm disappointed, otherwise ibtl and bravo

[fantasticdan]

YouTube - Spider vs Mouse

[Ksandra]

YouTube - Rat Laughter

YouTube - Pet rat starts to learn "Water fetch"

YouTube - Pet rats - quick tricks to teach for fun