Berkshire
Rex Coat
Dumbo Ears
This is Sterling's beautiful daughter! Doesn't she look just like her Dad? Wow! Her nickname is Shimmer. Shimmer is named after her dearly beloved and departed Mother Sparkle. She is very much like her Father though. She is very laid back and mellow. She is very content to just sit on my shoulder or tucked inside the layers of my shirt, which I really love being I spend a lot of time sitting in front of the computer, lol.
A fellow breeder sent me a link to an article regarding dwarf rats resistance to all forms of cancers, something about the growth hormone that they lack keeps cancer at bay. It is our theory that if we breed a line shown to have cancer to a dwarf and then breed them back together we can lessen or remove cancer from a line or return it to a healthier state.
Because this is part of Sterling's line and I love him dearly I have breed his daughter Gellie Bellie to a dwarf male to get dwarf carriers in hopes these little ratlets will be resistant to cancer and I won't have to witness this type of thing ever again. I'll keep you updated as time passes if this theory rendered success.
When Shimmer passed on I wanted to cry so bad, but actually found relieved because she was in such a state I couldn't bear how awful it had become. She was spunky and active right up until the end. I had to soak all her food into mush for her to eat it, the cancer slowly closed her mouth shut to where she could only lick.
Because her sister Gemmi was with her and cuddling her and she never seemed to be in pain, I felt she had a quality of life right until the end and I had to let God decide when it was time for her to go home and not me. I just could'nt bear to put her to sleep with that much life left in her.
Update: 08/29/09 My darling little Shimmer is dying. The surgery was unsuccessful. The tumor came back with a vengeance. It has spread to the opposite side of her face. Within just two weeks time it's bigger than it was when I had her operated on. She can only open her mouth far enough to lick or drink things. I've been soaking her food in water to make it almost like mush. I've been giving her Ensure to drink. She is losing weight even though she consumes a lot of food. I think it takes as much energy to eat it as it gives off.
This is the first tumor of it's kind I've seen in a pet rat in over seven years of breeding and I hope my last. It is so heart breaking. The tumor is causing her eyes to puff out. Yet she can still breath and her will to live and the spark she has inside to live is inspirational. I have put her sister Gemmi in with her, like a hospice type thing. Shimmer loves her sister so much. Gemmi lays on top of her keeping her warm and cuddling her. They adore each other and I know Gemmi knows there is something wrong with her sister and is "mothering" her.
Today as I went to refill the food dish and put water in to soak it up I noticed blood all over the side of it. She is literally chewing off the tumor out of her way to live. Yet she appears to not be in any pain. She is not squeaking, she is not in a hunched over posture they usually show when suffering. She is active and alert and when I come to pick her up all she wants to do is cuddle inside my shirt. She is such a loving little rattie. With so much spark and will to live I just can't put her down. I'm waiting for her to tell me it's time. To tell me she's given up.
The tumor has grown in such a way around her mouth that she can't be operated on again. She is terminal. I'm going to lose her at such a young age. I cry so hard. I feel so helpless. Bumming. I wish I could fix her. Save her. Help her. My sweet loving Shimmer. And to top it off Gemmi's tumor has also returned. Though it is slow growing and on her belly, the thought that she too will be leaving shortly after her sister is almost more than I can bear.
Update: 08/12/09 My darling little cuddly Shimmer made it through her surgery yesterday. It was a fibrous tumor. He used the laser on it to kill any remaining abnormal cells. He's not sure if he got it all so it might come back. I'm hopeful it won't.
She is resting peaceful and seems very happy to have the full use of her mouth. I'm still soaking her food in water to make it mushy and easy to chew as I know her mouth must be sore. Dr. Reabe did an excellent job. Her face looks normal. The dissolvable stitches are under her chin. When you look under her chin her mouth doesn't completely close on the side where the tumor was making her look like's she's got a permanent grin on her face, lol, (Rattie facelift,lol) But it doesn't seem to bother her and she seems much happier!
Update: 08/07/09 Shimmer has developed, what I was hoping was just an abscess on her face. I've waited for it to pop and drain, but it hasn't and has grown bigger. I contacted Debbie Ducommun and sent her pictures of Shimmers problem. Debbie believes it to be a tumor.
In my seven years of breeding I've never seen anything like this on a rats face, so I've scheduled to have it removed on 08/11/09. It is starting to cut off the air supply of one nostril and as it grows it is covering her mouth so she is chewing it out of the way, therefore there is a big sore underneath.
I have her on tetracycline just to make sure her lungs stay clear and myco doesn't rear it's ugly head to add to her problems. I'll keep you posted on how she does. Say a little prayer for my darling little Shimmer girl that she'll be protected during her surgery!
Click here to see a picture of Shimmers tumor. Warning PG14! This is a graphic picture and not intended for young family members eyes. I'm offering it for educational purposes only.
Update: 10/15/08 Her health is excellent. Nothing to report at this time.