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 QUESTION: My son's 3 year old pet male rat recently [in last 2 days] developed what looks like an approximately 1/4 inch diameter raised rough scabby round thing just below his ear. It's not oozing, it doesn't seem to hurt him. His behaviour is normal, eating, pooping, etc. got any ideas besides warm compresses [if its an abscess] or vet visit [in case its a tumour]. Its dark brown w/ an irregular flattish surface. Thanks a million. Taco is a big part of our family..
ANSWER: You can apply neosporin on it in a thin layer.
Is there a lump under it? Do you notice a pit or crater in the center?
Is the dark brown a scab or the color of the flesh? Is the surface smooth or rough?
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: When I went to look furthur at it; there was no crater in the center but I ppushed on the brown [darker than his flesh colour] scabby thing and it erupted w/ white cheesy stuff around most of its edges, the 'scab' peeled back and when I tried to pull it off he was clearly in pain. So I left it there. Underneath appears to be a rather deep , pus filled pocket w/ some pink flesh exposed. I filled it w/ triple antibiotic ointemnt. How can I keep him from eating the ointment, and/or cleaning it off? Is there more I could do? Thankyou, thankyoiu, Taco and our family our forever indebted to your generous wisdom and time, Lois [for Gabriel]
Answer I had a feeling....usually under the scab there is pus. You really need to get that out for him. You can use plain saline solution or warm clear water and just pour it in the hole, using a dropper. You need to push it again and express the rest out. He will clean it if he can reach it and its ok, its expected actually. Also, the neosporin wont hurt if it has time to absorb in but either way it wont hurt him if he eats it.
I would continue to clean it or it can get really ugly. There may be a foul odor so beware.
Dont use peroxide, no matter how tempting it is. This will damage delicate tissue around the area and he will cry from the sting.
Clean it clean it clean it! This is key!
It will close up and be gone once all the funk is out. Promise!!
