AboutSandra Todd Expertise As one of the top experts here at allexperts for 2008, I am happy to be able to help advise others on the proper care of pet rats.
I am a rat care specialist/advisor for area vets and have 20 plus years experience working with rodents.
I can advise you on the most current treatments available to your rat for common and also complicated ailments that seem to affect domestic rats during their life time. I do telephone consults and have even had some wonderful Vets call me to compare notes/stories. I also have training in animal behavior with the main focus being the study of rodent behavior.
I also have experience with wild rats, raising one myself .
Experience My expertise
Includes the following:
1. Education on prevention of tumors, lung and heart disease and disease of the kidneys too.
2. Up to date treatments for tumors in rats,both benign or malignant tumors.
3. The most current treatments used successfully to treat lung and heart disease
4. Prevention and treatment of the mycoplasma organism that our rats are plagued with since the day they are born, among other common ailments that attack our rats, just to name a few.
My job as a rodent consultant is to educate the owner on proper care of the animal but in no way does my advice take the place of seeking professional treatment by a qualified Veterinarian.
However, I will contribute to this site by answering your questions about raising pet rats and any problems that may arise regarding their health, diet, husbandry and over all well being of the rat to **the best of my ability.**
Organizations I maintain my website, Critter City and update it often to keep up with current treatments concerning pet rat health care. Please click the link above to take you there!
Publications My own website of course, and also I have brochures on rat care that are found in various animal clinics in my area.
Education/Credentials
Mentored by highly noted exotic specialists in my area. I am a member of the ASPCA.
Awards and Honors Was honored by being chosen to be one of the top 50 experts of 2008
Past/Present Clients My past clients have been through various animal clinics and I also am mentor to new rat owners that reach me through here and my website too.
Question QUESTION: My rat is acting disoriented, clumsy and weak. It's been 3 day now. She is eating and drinking and being active. I read that apple seeds and grapes can be toxic and she's had both. There has been no physical trauma to my knowledge. Can you help me figure out what has happened and if the effects will be permanent or fatal. Thank you.
ANSWER: Hi Heather
Grapes can be toxic in some species but not in rats. Thats a first for me about the apple seeds though.
However, she sounds as if she has an inner ear infection. This throws the rat off balance and makes the rat walk clumsily around, often appearing disoriented. She needs to be on antibiotics for the infection and steroids or NSAIDS for inflammation to help get her well again. The vet should rule out that it may be neurological for starters and once that is determined she is stable, she will be treated according to plan
Do you have a vet that is an exotic specialist? If you need a vet let me know your area and I can help find one near you that treats exotics (rats included:-)
Hang in there!
Sandy '
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QUESTION: Thank you so much for your response. No, I don't have a vet and I'm new to the area.
Answer Real exotic vets that you may need to drive up to 30 minutes to see but it is worth it. Sometimes its a waste of time and money seeing a vet that has to guess their way through seeing your rat and making a correct diagnosis. If they are wrong and your rat remains sick, you have to keep going back again and again. At least with a real exotic vet that knows all about rodents, you will get someone that has learned much more about rodents and the diseases that they are prone to etc... Sometimes its a matter of life and death.
Here are the exotic vets as close to the clinic your going to go to. I dont know where you live so I used Firestone CO as a guideline:
Dr. C. Scott Smith
Arapahoe Animal Hospital
5585 Arapahoe Ave
Boulder CO 80303
Phone: 303-442-7033
Website: www.arapahoeanimalhospital.com
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Dr. Rick Heller
Huron Animal Hospital
8840 Huron Street
Denver CO 80260
Phone: 303-427-4247
Website:www.huronanimalhospital.com
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Dr. William Wilcox
Stockton Pet Hospital
1234 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
Lakewood CO 80232
Phone: 303-985-7112
Website:myvetonline.com/stocktonpet
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Dr. George Stroberg
Animal Central Exotic Pets Seen:
8308 Church Ranch Blvd
Westminster CO 80021
Phone: 303-469-7387
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