MLWR Moonlit Waters Rattery

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Wakko

Wakko
Wakko
NARR: None - rescue/pet only
Color: Black
Ears: Standard
Coat: Standard
Markings: English Irish and American Irish
D.O.B. 8/23/2009
D.O.D. 5/25/2011
Cause of Death: Complications from sporadic anorexia issues and respiratory failure.
Breeding Status: Pet Only, Never Bred, Neutered
Show Results: Not Shown

Notes:Wakko is one of the rats we had at school for our Veterinary Technology program. He and his siblings were kept for a semester so that students were able to practice handling, medicating, sexing, taking the temperature, and other skills. At the end of the semester the animals are adopted out to students, and Wakko is coming to live here! He is the more food orientated of the two brothers, rarely turning down treats when he's out socializing. The names are from the main characters of the Animaniacs! :)

Yakko and Wakko were both neutered as they continued to display more and more aggression, mainly directed at each other and to their sister, Dot. The neutering seems to have curtailed this behavior and reintroductions after the surgery went very smoothly. They have settled back down and now enjoying hanging out together in the same hammock and begging for treats at the cage doors whenever someone comes in!

Wakko had sporadic bouts of anorexia - despite a vet exam a cause was not found, but after a day or 2 he would normally go back to eating, drinking, and begging for treats. His weight was always a bit on the low side due to this issue, but until the last few weeks never got to the point of being underweight. When taken out on the 25th due to a refusal to eat again after a stretch of eating well, he went into an episode of respiratory distress and passed minutes later. Given his history, origin, etc, a sub clinical myco problem would not be unexpected - its also possible he had a clot that was thrown leading to the sudden respiratory failure. He had no previous lung sounds (his brother has been treated a few times for myco related issues), or other problems to indicate extreme respiratory issues.



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