Bati
Well-Known Member
How often should I help my babies to go toilet? and for how long (till which age)?
http://jorats.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1265&start=45
http://jorats.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1265&start=45
Helping babies to the toilet
- Thread starter Bati
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lilspaz68
Well-Known Member
from http://www.afrma.org/rminfo8.htm
Care
After you feed each baby, they will need you to massage their abdomen and rectal area with a warm, damp cloth to stimulate them to urinate and pass solid wastes. You will need to do this until they are eliminating on their own. Remember to always handle these guys carefully as they are very small. It is very important to keep these little guys warm at all times. Many people use the plastic critter carriers lined with a towel and either a hot water bottle under the towel or an electric heating pad (set on the lowest setting) with the carrier placed on it. (The temperature of the nest should be between 75°F (24°C) and 90°F (32°C).) This makes it easy to take them with you to work or school to feed them on their schedule.
Care
After you feed each baby, they will need you to massage their abdomen and rectal area with a warm, damp cloth to stimulate them to urinate and pass solid wastes. You will need to do this until they are eliminating on their own. Remember to always handle these guys carefully as they are very small. It is very important to keep these little guys warm at all times. Many people use the plastic critter carriers lined with a towel and either a hot water bottle under the towel or an electric heating pad (set on the lowest setting) with the carrier placed on it. (The temperature of the nest should be between 75°F (24°C) and 90°F (32°C).) This makes it easy to take them with you to work or school to feed them on their schedule.
Bati
Well-Known Member
I look on that page and it says every two hours, but is that every two hours untill they are 3 weeks old or how? It's already hard work, but we are two, so we'll do it!
lilspaz68
Well-Known Member
I think its only until their eyes are fully open? From 15 days or so? Dilbert came to me at 3 weeks old, and just before that he was eliminating on his own. I would imagine as soon as you introduce solids to their diet (eyes open again) that you can slow down. I am not sure of the actual time in between, I just know its after nursing.
Lise
Well-Known Member
You should be able to see when they are going without you stimulating them.... I would imagine that is when you can stop.
lilspaz68
Well-Known Member
Bati have you thought that maybe these babies might be affected by the tragic illness that swept through your colony not long ago? They only have mom's milk to give them an immune system, they don't have their own yet. Just a thought.
Bati
Well-Known Member
mmmm I'm thinking and hoping you are wrong, but fearing your are right 
lilspaz68
Well-Known Member
If you end up losing all the babies you will have to stop breeding for 6-8 weeks and have no rats in or out just to make sure. If some of the babies survive (fingers crossed!) you will have to wait til they are weaned before starting your 6-8 week QT of your breeding colony.
Sorry.
Sorry.
lilspaz68
Well-Known Member
Oooh sorry, not the right information for you
Soo 8 weeks to 16 week after the last babies are weaned.
A full post-infection quarantine consists of absolutely no rats in or out (including no litters born). The length of the quarantine varies anywhere from 2- 4 months after the last signs of illness or the last babies are weaned and symptom free. It is highly important that NO new litters be bred during this time. Viral infections can literally be perpetuated forever if litters are continuously breed during & after an outbreak. When this happens you can have a situation where the SDA becomes enzootic
Soo 8 weeks to 16 week after the last babies are weaned.
A full post-infection quarantine consists of absolutely no rats in or out (including no litters born). The length of the quarantine varies anywhere from 2- 4 months after the last signs of illness or the last babies are weaned and symptom free. It is highly important that NO new litters be bred during this time. Viral infections can literally be perpetuated forever if litters are continuously breed during & after an outbreak. When this happens you can have a situation where the SDA becomes enzootic
