Sparrow Had to Have her Leg Amputated :/

I have been running on nerves since Friday morning. I had gone in to my vets on Thursday morning to drop off Dexter for a recheck and new meds for his persistent URI/pneumonia, and to let 2 lovely old sweeties go. I told the Clinic Manager I was upset because I had found a nasty tumour on one of my girls. She said bring her in so Dr Munn can see it himself. I said its deeply embedded into her leg and I think the whole leg would have to come off AND she's 23 months but Kirsti said, bring her in, Dr Munn has been doing some amazing surgeries lately. So I dropped her and Absinthe (cagemate) off in the morning and at 4 pm, heard from Dr Munn. Everything I observed and suspected was correct and the leg would have to come off. We decided that it was growing too fast to be left to Monday, so my vet did the surgery on his own time this afternoon. My poor scrappy girl Sparrow had her left front leg amputated at 2 pm on Saturday. It really was a life and death option because this tumour was growing so much and already affecting her mobility only 1 week later. I likely would've had to put this girl to sleep in about 3 weeks. The good thing is Sparrow is a tough, non-cuddly gal, who lives to run. The surgery was a success in many ways, my vet had never done a front leg amputation on a rat before so this is a learning experience for all of us. Plus he said he rarely gets to do things like this and save rat's lives the way we did today. The next 24 hours are critical but she is in great hands with him, and I will pick her up on Monday night. After that I will be documenting the healing, and the adapting to not having that leg. I have been through a hind leg amputation and the rat did amazingly. A missing front leg will be more difficult, how is she going to groom, eat, stand etc...but rats are amazing, and you are invited on this amazing trip journey with us. Healing vibes my brave girl ♥

Oct 17



Oct 19