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 Hi, I sent you a question earlier, but i made a mistake while typing it. I forgot to put the name of the virus i was asking about. It was Sendai virus (SV). In case you dont remember what my question was, I'l just ask it again. Sorry to bother you like this!
Ok, so i have four rats that all live in a large cage together. Early tonight, my oldest rat started showing intense lethargy, labored breathing, and hunched posture. She has a tumor and is very old so we thought it was just old age. However, just a few hours later, my other middle aged rat started showing the same symptoms. When i take the two out they just want to lay down and sleep. They can barely walk, have poor balance, and can barely open their eyes. I went online and read about a virus called Sendai virus, and i was wondering if that could be it.
I have separated my two healthy rats and put them in a different cage downstairs. I'm really worried that they might catch it too, and i dont think i can handle loosing all four! What do you think is happening to them, why do you think it's happening, and what do you think i should do?
Answer I megan. SDA and Sendai are two of the most common viruses are rats can catch but both can be serious business.
Although you moved the other rats to another room, they were exposed to whatever the rats have so be sure to exercise extreme caution when you travel between the sick rats and the rats that were not stricken. Read my web page about proper quarantine for not only the rats but for their keeper to follow in situations like this:
You asked what is happening, but I need to know a bit more. Do they appear to be congested?
Have you brought any new rats into your home without doing quarantine? If so, dont feel bad because most rat owners dont even realize they should do it and pet stores do not tell you that you should, either.
I am leaning more toward the two rats having strep pneumonia which is indeed catchy but it seems to be more contagious among the very young, the very old or the rats that have a weak immune system like the rat with a tumor. You need to first of all contact a vet that is well versed in exotics and rats and get them both in. They need aggressive antibiotic therapy and fluids, possibly oxygen and should be kept in a critical care environment for at least over night. The medications need to be nebulized too in order to get it to their lungs fast enough.
If you need to find a vet, go to my site and to the ABOUT VETS page and click the link to the AEMV. There is a drop down menu that will help locate an exotic vet near you. these are true exotic vets and will give your rat the best care.
Sendai is seen more among a huge colony of rats that often are born with it, but it can be passed on which is why I asked about new rats coming in. Have you been to a petstore that sells rodents lately?
Well instead of me trying to guess, its best to see the vet. Meantime, try to get fluids int he rats using a dropper and sugar water or even koolaid but pedialyte would be best...anything at this point will help though.
