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.
Question Our little girl's foot is red and swollen. She is eating and her personality has not changed at all. She is not using her (right back) foot and it is a bit more swollen today than yesterday. The skin seems tight and it looks kinda fuzzy and warm. She does not really seem to be in pain, but it does not look good. What can I do to help this heal. Should we leave her with her litter mates. At this times we put her over in her own place. She is the oldest and the younger ones are looking for her. We did put neosporin cream on it. I just want her to be comfortable.
PLEASE HELP
Answer Please check out this photo below and let me know if this looks anything like what your seeing in your girl.
Few things first...keeping her alone and off the foot isnt a bad idea but also isolating can leave the lone rat a bit stressed and this can lower the immune system. If she has infection in that foot this may not be the best thing for her.
Is she a chubby rat? Do you know if she had a fall or twisted it at all? The warmth means inflammation of course....I would tell you to give her some childrens motrin for the swelling but I need a weight on her. Do you have epsom salts? As old fashioned as they are, they work miracles on swelling but you would have to keep her from licking the water.
Let me know about those few things, esp if she is on the chubby side.
If this is infection, she will need oral antibiotics right away so it doesnt spread up her leg and into her blood stream. That leads me down to the next question: do you have a vet that is a board certified exotic vet? If not I can help find one for you!
