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 I have already asked Robin Bartlett and am very thankful for the help (link: http://www.allexperts.com/user.cgi?m=11&catID=3537&qID=4743025)
After using up all of my followups i thought id ask you because Robin wasnt sure what it was either.
Summary: 7 month old female rat, i am taking care of her atm (shes my sisters who is away for a week), she got the rat from her school, rat has been sneezing since i first saw it 2 weeks ago, 2 days ago her throat started to swell, now its bigger and it looks like 2 balls instead of being just one big one.
She is behaving normal, eating and drinking normally as well. Here is a picture: http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/2576/81736870hi9.jpg
She has been moved 3 times in past week, once to my appartment then to a friends appartment (she also has a 8 week old rat) and then back to my place again where she is now. I know its not ideal but i didnt have any choice.
Im no expert but my best guess from what ive read is that it could be swollen lymph nodes.
What would you say it is and would waiting until monday to go to a vet be very bad? Vet is open 1 hour tomorrow and not at all on sunday. Id also have to take the bus (at 8 am)..
Thanks in advance for any help
Answer I would have to agree with Robin and say it could a number of things.
However, with the sneezing, I would have to say that she may have a virus which is called SDA. I will not say this is for sure however, since I have no hands on exam with her, but if so, she is contagious to other rats and can develop a secondary infection. She needs something for inflammation and also antibiotics to keep a secondary infection away. I would have to really feel the lump to know what it is though so it still may be an abscess or cyst of sorts ...I just dont like the fact she is sneezing. Look at her eyes closely. Are the rims real red and sore looking? Any swelling around the eyes?
If you have could find a way to the vet sooner that would be good, but you cant, so Monday will have to work...and I am sure it will be OK till that time but I wouldnt wait past Monday. You must be going to a vet that is educated on pet rats though or they may not realize what this may be and lead you the wrong direction which wont be good for the rattie.
