Breeder has sneezy rats...

[crazylicious85]

My sister & I are going to pick out two or three ratties tomorrow afternoon. I got an email from the breeder's reference saying she went to pick up a rat the other day and most of them were sneezy, but she took a hairless home anyways. Everything was fine until she got home, she could hear lung congestion and the rat started sneezing again. She is taking her back to the breeder, whom she has gotten two healthy rats from in the past. She told me to be extra careful in picking out our ratties because of the congestion and sneezing problems.

My question...

What is the best way to pick out healthy rats? I've read that it's best to get them active and then listen to their breathing - so how do i get them active? These will be my first rats, as most of you know, so I really want to start out with healthy rats.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[jorats]

Oh boy... rats that are sick when babies is not a good sign.

Look for clear eyes, clean anus, shiny coat, active, responsive to your touch, listen to their lungs by holding them up to your ear.

 

[crazylicious85]

Oh boy... rats that are sick when babies is not a good sign.

Look for clear eyes, clean anus, shiny coat, active, responsive to your touch, listen to their lungs by holding them up to your ear.

Thanks.

Sending you a private message.

 

[Lise]

I would find another source, if you can.

Rats are sooo prone to respiratory problems. Even if you pick out a baby that looks healthy, from that source there is a good chance IMO that you could be spending hundreds of dollars on vet bills before its 1st birthday if other young rats are already showing signs of respiratory problems.

There is never a guarantee, ever, of getting a healthy rat. But if you know some are unhealthy... I would at least go somewhere that your chances are better.

Or make double sure you have lots of money saved up into a vet fund.

 

[user 78]

Honestly, a good breeder shouldn't be handing out sick rats. The idea of a good breeder is to have a higher quality of rat, one that's not prone to illnesses. Being sick at such a young age is a very bad sign, and could mean major problems on down the road. I honestly wouldn't want to support such a person.

Even if some of the bubs aren't showing symptoms right now, with the stress of a new home they could be just as bad or worse than their littermates within a few days. By active, they mean you want to see them playing, jumping around, and to be interested in you. You shouldn't have to make young rats active, they should be bouncing off the walls all on their own. Babies are high energy, and they take playing seriously. If they're tired, sleeping, won't really move around when the breeder takes them out for you to look at them, then those aren't healthy babies.

 

[crazylicious85]

Honestly, a good breeder shouldn't be handing out sick rats. The idea of a good breeder is to have a higher quality of rat, one that's not prone to illnesses. Being sick at such a young age is a very bad sign, and could mean major problems on down the road. I honestly wouldn't want to support such a person.

Even if some of the bubs aren't showing symptoms right now, with the stress of a new home they could be just as bad or worse than their littermates within a few days. By active, they mean you want to see them playing, jumping around, and to be interested in you. You shouldn't have to make young rats active, they should be bouncing off the walls all on their own. Babies are high energy, and they take playing seriously. If they're tired, sleeping, won't really move around when the breeder takes them out for you to look at them, then those aren't healthy babies.

Thanks
We are going to go see them and just see what the deal is. I haven't heard from the breeder with directions, so I'm starting to think she is stalling on use seeing them. I really don't know and the reference that told me that some were sneezy said she listened to about 10 and about half of those were sneezy and she could hear a little lung congestion - but then again she says she's not an expert and wasn't completely sure if all of them are like that or what the deal is. She said the breeder told her they have had some temperature fluctuation problems...We'll see what happens. We've waited so long, but I really want to wait for the right ratties and not get them just because we've been waiting over a month!

:cry: