NOTE:
Due to the Holidays,there may be a short delay in receiving answers as fast as I usually do.However,any emergency question should be addressed by writing EMERGENCY in the subject line.If I read it and see its not an emergency at all but just a way to get my attention first,I will reject your question and you will not get answered at all.Any life or death situation, of course,should be handled by a qualified Vet.To request a telephone consultation, please email sandyscrittercity@yahoo.com. in order to schedule a date and time that is feasible for both of us. There is no time limit on weekends or after 9 pm M-F or if your cell phone carrier is Verizon Wireless.There is no charge for a telephone consultation. I offer my advice free of charge since my goal is to simply keep your rats happy and healthy for as long as possible. My reward is knowing that people learning as much as they can on rat care in order to provide the best care possible. Thats all I need to know. You cant put a price tag on love:)
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.
I am really hoping that you can help me with this...
I have a 2 year old pet fancy rat with what seems to be a growth on the right side of her face, right around where the lymph node would be. She still appears to be eating fine, and her behaviour hasn't changed. When I touch the "growth", it doesn't seem to bother her in the least, but it feels soft to the touch, like mushy almost.
Any idea what it could be?
ANSWER: Sounds like an abscess. How long has she had it and did it just come out of the blue? Is there a scab on it or a pit or crater in the center of it?
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I actually just noticed it this morning when i was feeding her, so yes, it did just come out of the blue. What can I do for it?
Answer Start by holding a warm wet compress on it or else fill a sock with rice and put it in the microwave for a few seconds to get it warm. TRY to hold it on the lump even for a few minutes a few times a day.
If it is indeed an abscess it will eventually come to a head. You may need to help express the pus from it should this occur. Gently press under the base of the lump and give it a gentle squeeze. Beware that a very nasty pus may come out and it may smell. Note the color which may be green or white and thick like tooth paste. I know...it sounds gross, and it is, which is why we need to clean it all out of there.
Once it does pop open, you will need to clean it out. You can use saline solution or very diluted betadine or simply clean warm water...NEVER peroxide. THis damages tissues. Take a dropper or a cotton ball and squeeze the cotton ball over the open wound to get the water into the open sore. Pat it dry and fill it up with antibiotic ointment, like neosporin. Do this a few times a day till it finally starts to close up. It will eventually close up and be gone but it may fill up with pus again and you may again have to clean it out.
Let me know if it indeed comes to a head...after a few days, if not, let me know
