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 We recently added a new female rat to our home. She seemed to be fine for
the first day - loved to run up our chest to the neck area, and would sit and
clean herself on my shoulder. She would explore around the area, come in
and out of her cage, etc. We had bought a too small cage (one for a hamster,
not knowing any better), so got a large one from someone who also had rats.
We cleaned it well (vinegar & water), and put fresh bedding in, and some chew
toys, hut, box, etc. Since moving her to the new cage, she is almost
aggressive. She has bitten me several times, she seems to be "sneezing" a lot
(or some noise that sounds like a small sneeze). She still will come out of the
cage, but is more jumpy when we put our hands in the cage (even to give
fresh food, etc.). Not sure if this is due to a new environment (moving from
pet store to one cage, then to another, new people, etc.), or ?? I'm concerned
that she's started to bite, albeit it doesn't hurt now, but she did break skin on
the 6 year old. ALso, is the "sneezing" a sign of illness, or just her noise? We
are truly enamored with her, but are concerned about this new behavior.
We've pretty much not handled her a lot since then, although we've put our
hands up to the cage, and have stroked her (which she will allow sometimes)
within the cage. Thanks.
Answer She was probably more friendly the first day due to adreniline! She was excited and probably even nervous to be there but she was more outgoing with you just that first day because of nerves but once she had a chance to unwind she was nervous even more. Baby rats have to be socialized by the breeder from the day they are born in order for them to not be shy with humans. Sounds like she was not really socialized or she would not be hiding and especially, biting.
SHe needs your patience and your gentle touch and soothing voice.
Please see my website about training scared or biting rats. It will teach you how to handle shy or scared and biting rats and I have had great success with the way I have done it including training a wild rat.
