I have 4 female rats, all just about 2 years old, and 3 got sick at around the same time. 2 have mammary tumors (1 girl had hers surgically removed a few months ago but they came back), and 1 has gotten a neurological problem quite suddenly (needs to be hand fed, keeps wanting to walk forward if she actually wants to walk, balance issues). I think we have to put the sick ones to sleep, but I can't handle that idea. That'll leave 1 alone and I want to take a break from rats. I can't handle the handle heart break. So I can't adopt more as to stop the cycle. I can't sleep thinking about them and am physically sick thinking about what I may have to do. People who don't own rats don't understand what we go through losing then with such a short life span. Just wanted to get it a bit off my mind to people who understand.