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.
I have a 2 yr old black female Dumbo ratty who has all of a sudden started bleeding from her vaginal area. Not a lot of blood, just a spot or two and then done. It is not consistent, just worrisome seeing they do not menstruate. I have noticed this twice now over the last 2 months. Unfortunately, we have lost our local "rat" vet as he is no longer seeing exotics. "Onyx" was pregnant when I got her as she was rescued from the "food" bin, so as far as I know she was only pregnant once. She has not been exposed to any male rats since rescued. I also have her mother, who was rescued with her and is not having any problems. Mom is approx. 2 1/2 yrs old. Could this be a uterine tumor or something along those lines. Any help in direction will be appreciated.
Mary
Answer Hi Mary
As you know, rats do not menstruate so this is something to have looked at right away. Just in case other readers want to know why females do not bleed during their estrus cycle is because they are too close together. Rats go into heat every 5 days which is not long enough for the lining of the uterus to build and and shed out again in the form of blood and mucus (which is part of the endometruim lining)
It could be a number of things, from a possible uterine tumor to polycystic ovaries or even infection can cause this.
I have had females that bled off and on for a year. Nothing heavy, just spotting. It was hormonal in nature and we started her on a hormone called LUPRON and it stopped her bleeding episodes.
If you need help finding a vet that is a real true exotic vet that is board certified, check out my website at this URL.
I have a page about Vets and a link to the AEMV where you can find a list of vets per state and even per country. Please let me know if you find one there.
