in shock

I just found my rat Silas dead in their cage. I had noticed that he hadn't come outside this evening, but hadn't thought anything about it, because he doesn't always come outside. Then when I locked them up, I could only count three, and no Silas when I called for the count, so I searched the cage, and at first I didn't find him, so I searched the room again, and still no fourth rat. Finally I looked more closely in the cage again, and there Silas was, lying dead under some stairs. To think that I didn't even notice for maybe hours that he had died. I don't even recall whether I'd seen him this morning. I mean, I think so, but didn't pay that close attention. I feel like a horrible person.

He hadn't even been sick, aside from his sneezing having come back a little even after the antibiotics, and now he's suddenly dead. No visible injuries either. He wasn't even a year old. I still can't quite believe it. It hasn't sunk in yet that Silas is dead. I hope it was a heart attack or something, and not anything contagious I never heard of that makes rats drop dead so quickly. I know certain types of acute pneumonia can kill rats suddenly, but I think even the fast ones show some symptoms. I mean, my other three seem fine, but it is very disconcerting. That's the first time I had a rat die at less than a year without an obvious reason.

in memory of Silas

Silas
7.1.2012 - 9.10.2012

I just buried poor Silas. He was only nine months old, when he died suddenly yesterday. He lived with me since he was five weeks old. He wasn't the most affectionate rat, not that fond of cuddling, but still very friendly. And really surprisingly docile when it came to taking his antibiotics a few weeks ago. He was the first rat I ever had who didn't turn administering oral medicine into major drama.

Initially he was a bit shy, as all four in my current group were, but he and Rusty were the two to venture out first from the cage, and eventually he got over this reluctance. He was the smallest of my four, and had the habit to grab as much food as he could as soon as I filled their bowls and stash it in hidden cashes all over the cage. He also had the somewhat unpleasant habit to pinch me if he wanted attention. It wasn't proper biting, but not soft, affectionate nibbling either. My scolding didn't seem to have any impact on this habit. Maybe he liked me being startled, when he snuck up to me on the bed and pinched my arm, back or leg.

I hope he enjoyed the short time he had.

( Here are some photos of Silas. )