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 Well my rat has got a lump on his right hand side it started of small but is now getting bigger and bigger. The lump has sores on it now and im not sure what to do i have taken him to the vets they said they can remove the lump and he said the operation is very easy to do but he is 2 and abit years old now and im just wondering is it worth the OP ? or should i have him put down :( which i dont really want to do. Also he is sneezing alot i think he might have caught a cold or something.
im just asking for advice on what to do really
thanks in advance :)
Answer Hi Josh
I would not put him down thats for sure. He is not sick or anything from the lump so why put him down? Also, he is NOT that old. 2 is not the end of the world. I have had rats live to be 3 years old and even close to 4. He still has plenty of life yet but if he keeps the tumor it will eventually cause him to get sick.
I would get it removed right away so it doesnt get much bigger and cause
problems that can easily be avoided by removing it soon.
So, I guess with all the blibber blabber I just did to sum it all up, you want to know my advice on what to do?
I would do the surgery and the sooner the better. You will be glad you did it. I always believe in exhausting all options before throwing in the towel! As long as the vet is good with rats and has experience with rats and surgery and is board certified exotic vet, things should be fine.
