Pet Rats/baby rats

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Expert: Sandra Todd - 6/16/2008


Question
hi, my rat(bell) has had babies..i did not realize she was pregnant(i had just got her 3 weeks ago) i do not know much about babies, so when is it ok to take them away from the mother? i just want to know the basics on how to take care of the babies and make them comfortable... thanks

Answer
Hi Paige

FIrst thing, handle them starting right now. Touch them and pick them up and hold them and love them right off so they are social.

Second, check their little tummies. You should see white milk through their transparent skin. This means that mom is indeed lactating and they are getting plenty to eat:)

Your girl must have just gotten pregnant the day or before your brought her home. Gestation is 21 days!  How old is she ?

Also, the babies need taken from mom around 4.5 weeks for males and 5 to 6 weeks the females should be taken from mom to wean for a few days so her milk dries but they could go back with her after that. Meanwhile the boys cant...they can get the girls and mom pregnant from around 5 weeks and older!!!!!  

Check out my site on how to sex the new babies.
Meanwhile, what are they living in? You must be sure the bar spaces on the cage are close enough so when they begin to move around they cannot get through the bars.  Also, be sure that mom has good foods such as veggies and fruits with a good rat diet and not the seeds from the pet store mixes.

Here is my website.  Check out the baby rats and how to sex them at the first URL and the second for proper diet for ratties.

Hope this helps and good luck!!!!!


http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/rathealthinformation.htm

http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/ratsandahealthydiet.htm

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Sandra Todd

Expertise

Please refer to my website, Sandys Critter city. Click the link below. Should it fail to take you to my website, please just go to sandyscrittercity.com. There may be alot of information for you that may help with your problems so please refer to my site as well as asking me whatever it is you are interested in knowing. I am here to assist you the best that I can in most areas concerning your rats! Critter City 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 (I am NOT a Veterinarian nor do I imply that I am in any way) 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. I have also written an article for a rat and mouse magazine focusing on surgery on rats. The magazine is a UK based magazine.

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.

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