I've had quite a few rats, although not as many as some here! My experence with rats mirrors luckies in the fact that I have never had a female rat with a tumor either. The differences in health between pet store rats and breeder rats is really substantial Ive noticed. My first boy (and first rat), Ratso was an oddball though, he came from some sort of lab and had excelent health for all his years (I think he lived to be about 4 or so). He didn't suffer any health problems and died rather peacfully in his sleep. The first rat I rescued from a pet store, Galahad, only lived to be about 2 and a half due to a tumor. After going with a breeder for so long (and having my last pair of rats live to be about 3 or 4), I was hesatant to go to a pet store, but the poor little guy was going to be fed to a snake so I took him. Cleo, my current ratty, has had some resporatory problems that required vet care but seems to be doing well now. I think she actually has an alergy to the bedding the pet store was using. Most pet stores use bedding that is KNOWN to cause problems as well as getting stock from really bad sources. The pet store I worked for shipped the poor little guys all the way from Az. By the time they got to us, they were pretty traumatised and in rather poor health. Ive noticed most pet stores treat thier rats this way. My next ratty is most assuredly is coming from a breeder. *and I found one nearby, yay*
Rats, although short lived, are one of the most intelegent and loving little critters a person can have. Having worked with a lot of small animals, I would say that as far as personality goes, I'd pick a rat any day of the week! The heartache is worth the love!!