Rella came to us on the 12th of June 2008 suffering from a range of medical issues. Rella was a friendly girl from the first time I met her but was terribly underweight and was displaying severe symptoms of an untreated respiratory infection, wounds on her skin from scratching and dry itchy skin.
When we first met her she was contained in an old show box full of what we thought was wood shavings and other dangerous material which we have now found out the products she was living on was indeed a wood pelleted product that is being sold as suitable small animal bedding, we urge anyone that sees a product like this to avoid it at all costs.
Although Rella was very friendly I had my concerns about handling her because of her weight. Rella was so skinny I could tell that every time I handled her it hurt so I picked her up within a blanket to give some padding to her small frame, this she did enjoy.
At first Rella was willing to try a variety of foods but she never seemed to finish anything she was offered, I believe this was for a variety of reasons. One reason was that her diet previously was possibly not the best and the second reason was because I felt she had not recently had a great deal offered to her so some of the foods that were offered here were new and she was careful with before consuming them.
We took Rella off to the vet and it was confirmed that she had a serious respiratory infection, her lungs were full of fluid and her skin was so dry (possibly because of the lack of essential oil in her diet) that the skin was flaking away with fur when rubbed backwards. Rella was placed on antibiotics and we added Omega 3 & 6 oils to her diet. Within days this little miracle was starting to improve and our hopes were raised that maybe one day she would find a suitable home.
Rella went into foster care and continued to do well. She went to visit the vet again to get another check up and her lungs were clearing well and her skin was all healed and not dry anymore. Rella decided that she did not want the antibiotics anymore so the foster carers (my parents) were forced to hide them in Soy Milk every morning. Rella never did click onto this and continued taking her meds for a total of 3.5 weeks before the effects of her abuse were gone. Unfortunately because Rella had been left untreated for her respiratory infections for quite a while before coming into our care she will forever be left with lung scaring as a result, this causes her breathing to be faster and deeper than normal but she has learnt to deal with this.
Rella has left a big mark on our hearts as we originally felt that we would loss the battle to get her back to health BUT she was stronger and more determined than I gave her credit for and became one of the happy endings we thrive for.
We keep close tabs on Rella and her now pals as they all have a special place here at PRRR and we are always so happy to hear that she is still doing beautifully and thriving in the care of her new family.
On a last note…. It takes and amazing family to accept an animal that will possibly have medical issues for the rest of her life. The people that adopted this little girl not only offered her a forever home but also a place that she will always be loved, unconditionally with all the medical treatments she may ever need.
After PRRR brought Princess Rella back from the brink of death, I was the lucky one to be able to adopt that little treasure.
At first, it was thought that Rella may not be a sociable rat with other ratties due to her lack of, or should I say, NIL rat socialization experience.
So, I prepared myself to have a ‘loner’ rat, but with massive amounts of human time and cuddles to make up for it.
Due to her previous owners neglect, Little Rella had permanent lung scarring and was still a little on the skinny side. Whilst in the care of PRRR, she certainly had put on weight since she first arrived there.
Her lung scarring led her to constantly breathe twice as fast as she should normally. This was another thing that I had to prepare myself for along with on-off medication when she needed it.
After all, it wasn’t her fault that she was left with permanent health issues!
I was more than willing to adopt that little girl, despite her age and her potential ongoing medical issues, as I felt that she deserved so much more than what life had already dealt her.
As it turned out, Merlin was adopted at the same time Rella was and I felt that the two of these rats may have to live apart, with the aim to get Merlin a buddy soon after, if Rella was unable to be socialized with him.
It was decided that after a few weeks of the two being in my care that we would attempt socialization between the two.
Needless to say there were two nervous rats and one very nervous ‘Mum’.
Although I had rats prior to these two, I was never once in a position to have to begin ‘socialisation’ classes so, thanks to PRRR’s advice, I was given the right methods to try to get these two together. These tricks of the trade included ‘masking’ their scents, providing yummy treats and conducting these sessions in a neutral and supervised territory.
After doing this for about a week every night for approx 1-2hrs, and the reactions from both being very positive, I decided to place them both in the same cage and monitor them closely.
I am ecstatic to say that Rella has beaten the odds of being a loner rat for the rest of her life. She accepted Merlin and he in turn, accepted her (not without a few scuffles to begin with).
It was the most heartwarming sight to see the two of them snuggle up together, like they were always meant to be together.
This was a huge achievement for that little girl, who at first, no-one was sure that she would ever accept a ‘buddy’ to live the rest of her life out with.
Rella’s skin had cleared up and she had gained approx 50gms in about 3weeks!
She learnt how to groom another rat and be groomed, and knew what it was like to ratpile, even if it was only the two of them! All the things that all ratties should be able to experience and just be allowed to be a happy and loved rat!
With her background, she truly is a miracle that firstly she is still with us and secondly that she is the most affectionate little girl.
I still look at her with the slightest feeling of sadness, due to what she went through prior to PRRR’s involvement, but to see her so happy and to know that she will never be in ‘that place’ of her life ever again, is the most rewarding and heart melting feeling and I am a proud mum who has been able to offer her that!
She is without a doubt the utmost beautiful little girl!
