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 What does mild respiratory sound like when you put your ear up to the rats chest? What does a healthy rat sound like when you do the same? Is there any way I could tell if a rat has it when there is not signs of the "red stuff" or puffed up fur, or sneezing. When I listen to the lungs I hear either nothing or a very light breathing noise (hard to describe), occasional light sneezing occurs daily, but sounds like it's from allergies. I will take it to the vet if recommended but I just want to know if there is any way you could tell if a rat has mild respiratory. Also how do vets check if a rat has it or not?
Answer A healthy rat doesnt make any sounds at all. With a healthy rat all you will hear is the beating of his heart and some clear breath sounds with no crackling or whistles and noises, just air moving freely...maybe a bruxing in your ear if he doesnt mind you listening to his chest! :)
The vet will use a stethescope to hear the rats lungs which of course work much better than just putting your ear against the rats chest:)
The vet will be able to tell if the lungs sound clear from listening to the way the air moves through the lungs and also the way the heart sounds. Even certain ways the heart sounds the vet can tell if the heart is diseased or enlarged etc...
A little sneezing here and there is normal, just like when we do it on occasion to clear our airways.
With careful evaluation of your rat daily, you will be able to note what is normal and not normal for your rat. Even some traces of porphyrin is normal in some rats on a daily basis. A rat owner that has a rat that produces porphyrin even if they are not sick has to watch and monitor what is normal and what is NOT normal as far as the amounts of porphyrin they have daily. Just being in tune with your rat and you will be able to catch the first thing that seems off about his health. This is a good thing since rats usually dont let us know they are sick till the illness is advanced so its good to want to get ahead of the game.
