[ration1802]

So, this will be my first neuter.

The time has come for the decision to be made - my highly aggressive big-boy Ray has had his final strike and I've decided to get him 'done' in an attempt to calm his temper.

This morning he went on a complete rampage - terrorising poor Mattie to the point of screaming (not fear squeaking - screaming, it woke me up!) and chasing him around the cage, up the bars. It was full on huff and puff no-nonsense. Now poor Mattie's put up with Rays bullying tactics for a little while (ironically Ray releases all his frustration on Mattie, but leaves Taz alone!) but he's now started to withdraw into a shell of fear, even with me. so enough is enough.

This morning I managed to calm Ray down by putting him in the QT cage for a 15 minute time out. I placed them back together and so far, there's been no futher incidents. There's not been blood drawn yet (although I found a long, shallow scratch on Mattie's back) but I think it's just a matter of time.

Now, I have to go to the vets anyway tonight, so I am planning on taking Ray for a check up and to ask my vet regarding a neuter. Now I don't know how experienced he is with rats - before me, I don't think he had much and he tends to catagorise them with most other small animals, not ignoring but preferring to forget that they require specialist care sometimes. SO! I am going to grill him regarding the procedure, where the incision should be, healing times, will be provide me with pain meds this time etc etc

Can you guys let me know anything that may be a common vet mistake? What should I flag up as a big 'no no'? Any information regarding it would be great.

 

[mopydream44]

Are there any exotic vets in your area? I don't think it's the best idea to have a rat neutered by a vet that might not have done the procedure. I know you want your group to get along but there is a chance that a neuter won't fix the aggression (I could be wrong).

Have you considered redoing the introduction process? If Ray doesn't have a problem with Taz then the problem doesn't seem to be over aggression. If he was overly aggressive then wouldn't he fight with Taz as well?

I know this is not ideal but you could also get a friend for Mattie and separate both of them from Ray and Taz.

I can understand your frustrations. I had to say goodbye to a very sweet rat that just didn't get along with my mischief, and I tried for over a month! As soon as she went through the process with Dan's sisters rats they were practically family! In my case it wasn't very practical to adopt another friend for Cricket, and keeping a separate cage but I would have if she didn't get along so famously with the other mischief. Anyhoo, I'm not sure your problems will be solved with a neuter, and I'd hate to see you spend $200 (?) on an operation with an unexperienced vet that may not yield results!

I don't mean to squash your hope (always hold onto that ) but wait and get some opinions on here. I'm no expert but maybe other on here can better guide you!

 

[ration1802]

Thanks

I'm trying to be realistic - I know it may not fix his aggression but as I was planning on neutering all three eventually anyway, it seems a good first step.

I don't often see him picking on Taz, it seems to be Mattie that gets the brunt of it all the time. I think it's because he sits back and takes it, where as Taz will scutter away and hide as high up in a hammock as possible.

I don't know if reintroductions would help - he's just a general aggressor. He'll attempt to attack any of my boys that he comes into contact with (the other week he hurt Ritchie quite badly duriing a first intro session - he went in for the kill!) He has his 'click' which is Mattie and Taz, and within it HE has to be the one pushing and shoving the other two around.

I took him to the vets but unfortunately it was Lady Evil on tonight - she barely looked at him, didn't touch him, agreed that a neuter could possibly help and that she didn't know how to do it - she would have to check 'her book'. My other vet, Mr Hess, is much more experienced. I may ask him how many he's done, how confident on the procedure he is etc and then see what he says. I got a quote of £50 ($100) per rat, which isn't as bad as it could be. I will certainly call around my area, as there is a somewhat more expensive but more exotics orientated vet within an hours drive who may more information. Of course, I wouldn't allow a vet who I didn't feel was experienced enough anywhere near my boys.

He seems to have calmed down again tonight - perhaps this morning was a one off. But I don't trust him with the other boys as much as I did.

 

[mopydream44]

Hey sorry I was looking for this thread but it got lost. Anyhoo you're probably right about Taz being picked on more because he's timid. I think that's what happened with my Cricket.

I don't like the sound of this "Lady Evil" can you make appointments just with Mr. Hess? I'd call and request him saying that woman is just no good lol. Anyhoo let me know how it goes, and GOOD LUCK

 

[ration1802]

Lol. I think he knows that she's no good. Everyone seems to go into the clinic on the days that he's working and when she's there it's empty. Usually, Mr Hess will work Mondays and Wednesdays and Lady Evil will work Tuesdays and Thursdays. I thought Mr Hess was on this Friday (as they work alternate Fridays) as he told us to bring the cat in for it's injections - buuuut nope. It was HER day.

I'll pop in tonight and ask him what he thinks. I need to pick up some more Baytril anyway.

Ray seems ok now - back to his regular old bullying, nothing exceptional to comment on. Maybe something wound him up that morning? Who knows!