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.
My boyfriend and I have just got a pair of Dumbo eared rats yesterday! They are 2-3 months old and very gorgeous. They seem to have settled in well, eating, drinking and exploring everywhere!
The only thing is one of the rats (Bertie) vibrates when you cuddle him. It's not shaking but like a purring deep in his ribs. When this happens he seems to be very chilled out and half asleep curled up on my lap!
SO my question is , Is he purring?? LOL or maybe just a bit scared and overwhelmed by being in a new home??
Thank you very much would just like to make sure he's ok and if i'm making him so happy that he's purring!! :)
Katie xxx
Answer Hi Katie
Your little rat is bruxing, which is a comparable to purring.
Bruxing is when the rat grinds his teeth really really fast. Is that what you hear? Sometimes their eyes also vibrate in and out real fast too when they brux because the vibration from the rats jaws vibrating so hard makes their eyes boggle as well.
A happy rat will brux when you hold him and pet him and scratch behind his ears etc...so yes, he likes you and he is content and feels safe with you which is really good because I have more people write about their new rats being shy and terrified so I wrote a page on my site about how to train a shy rat.
Where did you get the rats from, btw? A breeder or pet store?
