AboutSandra Conti-Todd Expertise NOTE:
I am sorry for any long delays in responses. I have been going through some personal issues with my life but things are looking up for me and I am getting my life back on track again and will promise to be here for all rat lovers to help guide you on proper care. Love to all of you!
To request a telephone consultation, please email sandyscrittercity@yahoo.com. in order to schedule a date and time that is feasible for both you and I. There is no time limit on weekends or after 99pm 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.
Question There is something very wrong with my rat. He is not able to move the back half of his body. He can move his legs but can not stand or push up. The front legs and front part of his body are working normally. He is also bleeding from his penis at times and has "sandy" feeling urine. He has rapid breathing.
Any ideas on what is wrong?
Answer Hi Rae
As you know your little rat is a pretty sick little boy.
He really needs to see a vet right away. I can tell now that the hematuria (bloody urine) means infection and inflammation.
He possibly has a urinary tract infection along with Urolithiasis
( uroliths/calculi (stones) in the urinary tract.) This condition needs treated promptly by a vet that knows how to care for rats. You must get him in ASAP. If you need a vet please allow me to find one for you and I can even book the appointment if needed.
Also, the loss of use of his back quarters could be hind leg paralysis which is from inflammation on the nerves. This is seen in older rats.
How old is your rat, btw?
Right now you must push fluids on him to try to flush him out while waiting for the vet visit and be sure he eats soft diets such as baby foods. I would give him some watermelon too, this will really put some liquid in his body!!
I am hoping it isnt worse and he isnt going into kidney failure. A diet throughout a rats life that is high in protein can cause kidney disease after a few years of the kidneys trying to work properly as they are slowly being destroyed by poor diet.
What kind of diet has he been on and is he eating now? Is he lethargic?
