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 About two years ago I gave my daughter a rat as a pet from a friend of mine who breeds them. She has always been a very friendly, hand held rat, which she calls "pookie". I would let her out at night to roam free of the house and she would be everywhere. Recently, our family moved but the rat stayed in our old plave for a while. I dont think she was fed very well and she did not get out at all. When I brought her home finally she had only been at the new house for two days before my daughter decided to take her outside to show all the neighborhood kids. During the excitment, my duaghter lost her outside. I did not think we would ever find her and three days later she showed up by the garbage cans in front of the house. She was shaking, skinny, and frightened. You could tell she had been through some trauma. When I finally looked her over a week later I noticed her two front teeth had been broken in half, one of her eyes pertruded out farther than the other, and she did not want to walk around anymore. And when she did, she would fall over to the side. Now, she hardly even eats, hardly drinks any water, and her balance has progressivly gotten worse. I dont know what to do and my daughter thinks she is going to die. I think she will die too, if no action is taken to help her, but I dont know what she might have or what could have happened to her. Could you help me out?
Answer I am not sure but did she stay behind at your old place alone? I may have misunderstood your post.
It sounds as if she needs to see a vet. You need to be sure she is getting fluids. Dehydration is the first thing that will make your rat act sick and its the easiest thing to cure.
