Operation Christmas Child – Shoebox Collection Week is Here!
GodUpdates

Rat's Terrifying Heroin Overdose Convinces Her Owner To Get Clean

May 19, 2017

Rat's Terrifying Heroin Overdose Convinces Her Owner To Get Clean
God works in mysterious ways. And this is certainly not your typical wake up call. But when a Vancouver woman's pet rat overdosed on heroin and nearly died, it was the motivation she needed to get clean. Snuggles the rat almost lost her life. But she may have just saved her owner's! The woman who originally owned Snuggles unfortunately has a drug problem. And when she left heroin out on a table, Snuggles obviously didn't know to just say no. And when the curious rodent had a nibble, the pet rat overdosed. Snuggle's owner was heartsick over the damage she'd caused. She rushed the very sick rat to an overdose prevention center, begging them to save Snuggles. RELATED: A dog and a rat become best friends, after being rescued by the same human Melissa Patton was there when they arrived. By that point, Snuggles was in rough shape and barely breathing. At first, Melissa and her team didn't know what to do. They decided to treat the rat as they would a human, with Narcan, a drug that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.

Narcan Used After Pet Rat Overdosed

godupdates pet rat overdosed on heroin gets saved fb Credit: Twitter Normally the Narcan would be injected. But for Snuggles, they put the drug on the rat's nose and she licked it off.
"Because it was so tiny, I didn’t want to puncture anything by giving it an injection,” Melissa explained.
Melissa gave Snuggles some oxygen from a small can to make sure she retained brain function. She and her team then fed Snuggles water with protein powder. RELATED: Rat's spaghetti snack is too cute for words Melissa cuddled the sick rat.
"I know from NICUs that skin-to-skin contact is really important,” she said.
Thankfully, the care she received worked! Snuggles was all better by the next day, and very hungry after her brush with death.

WATCH: Snuggles eating a cheerio after her recovery

Snuggles' close call made a huge impression on her owner. The woman realized she needed to get help, and checked herself into a detox program. She asked Melissa if she would give Snuggles the safe and happy home she deserved. Of course, Melissa was more than happy to oblige. After saving Snuggles, the two have a special bond. And we're happy to report Snuggles is now all hugs, no drugs! h/t: Huffington Post YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: These 14 adorable rat photos prove all God's creatures are beautiful  
X

Where would you like to share this content?

Today's Devotional

A Prayer for a Thankful Heart through a Disappointing Season - Your Daily Prayer - November 22

I pray you will open your eyes to God today while he holds your hand and heart through all the hard stuff surrounding you. Let’s choose thankfulness. It absolutely does help, dear friend.

Read Today's Devotional


Past Stories

October 2024