Intros, intros, intros.

[Smittenkittens]

So, a while back I had a bunch of questions about trying to introducing my nude to the rest of my girls. Bathtub, table top, play room.. Never successful though. My girls Ivy and Nimbus just seem to be trouble starters. They're just over aggressive with new rats.
The only way I ever was able to introduce them was because I bought a brand new cage. Other than that, I'm not sure it would have ever worked.

Now, here's my new problem. I have a new girl, Sesame, who is just a wee little bit. (Maybe 2 -3 months old?) I have to wait at least three weeks before I consider putting her in their cage, because she has a tail injury. (Exposed tendons and such. :sick2
I'm just wondering if she is actually going to ever be able to go into their cage. The only way it worked before was because of the new cage.

I was thinking of when I go through the whole process, and get to putting her in their cage, I might put them all in one of my spare cages for a few days. I could clean out my FN completely, disinfect, get rid of scents, rearrange everything, and put it in a different room. Maybe then it would seem like a brand new cage. What do you think of this idea?

I'm just concerned it might not work out. :sad3: *sigh*

 

[jorats]

How old are your girls now? How long ago were the first intros? How many rats all together?

 

[adreabri]

I had some serious issues with intro's...

What ultimately helped us out was we sprayed their bedding and hammocks with a perfume and sprayed each rat also...
they all smelled the same and the same as their bed. Let us know how things go..

 

[jorats]

Oh boy... don't spray rats with perfume or their habitat... that can really send them into a nasty URI.

 

[adreabri]

Oh boy... don't spray rats with perfume or their habitat... that can really send them into a nasty URI.

Really? Even if its organic?

 

[jorats]

Any scent... perfume, aroma, candles, smoke those are all to be avoided with rats, they have such sensitive lungs.

 

[adreabri]

Any scent... perfume, aroma, candles, smoke those are all to be avoided with rats, they have such sensitive lungs.

Wow. I didn't know that... thank you!!

 

[Smittenkittens]

How old are your girls now? How long ago were the first intros? How many rats all together?

I'm not positive on their age, but the oldest girl will be 2 around December. Ivy and Waffle follow close. And Nimbus is about a year I would say. Maybe a little younger.
The first intros between the baby and the other girls?

And all together, including the newest girl, 6.

As to the perfume: I was totally unaware of that. I actually sprayed all of them, and their whole cage. :emb: Jeez. I also have sprayed allot of air freshener in my room, along with keeping a plug-in in my room. I've noticed my girl Ivy has been getting wheezy. (mostly when she's upset, or stressed..) I wonder if it's from the perfume? Ugh. I hope they're all alright. After taking my girl Sesame to the emergency vet, I just can't afford to take them to the vet right now. :emb:
What antibiotics would they need to all go on?

 

[xxchelle]

Definitely no sprays, scents, etc. around the rats. They're SO sensitive that I would never spray anything around them at all.

If they do get a URI, you'll need antibiotics like Baytril, Doxycycline, etc. but your vet will be able to prescribe meds and give you the dosages.

Any strong scents can lead to URIs, even some too-strongly-scented laundry detergents used to wash hammocks. Dirty cages can also cause URIs due to the smell build up (though I really doubt any of us keep our cages that dirty, but I know I've taken in a few rescues who had URIs due to dirty cages).

This is why pine and cedar beddings are so bad for rats, as they have phenols in them which can cause URIs.

 

[Smittenkittens]

Hm. Maybe if I notice any more wheezing or anything, I will take one of them in. I wonder if my vet could give me baytril without an exam.. :emb:

 

[xxchelle]

Wheezing is not normal, and could indicate the start of a URI. Some rats will be a little sniffy when they first wake up, before they clean the porph from their nose, but if it becomes more frequent than that, then it's cause for concern. Can you put her up to your ear and listen to her lungs (both right and left sides)? Do you hear any clicking, squeaking, wheezing, etc.? Has she been sneezing a lot?

I believe it's illegal for a vet to give meds without an examination, so you'll likely have to bring her in.

I realize I've totally hijacked this thread, sorry!

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

I'm going to hijack just a little more to mention that you have to be careful about using hair products (hair spray etc.) around their cage as well.

Also the exposed tendons worries me....did the vet say just to leave it?

 

[Smittenkittens]

She seems a bit raspy sometimes.. (kind of how I sound. Stupid bronchitis..) I haven't noticed any porph around her nose or eyes. I haven't noticed any excess sneezing in any of my girls. :?
I will go listen to all of them now, and let you know how they sound.

I don't tend to use any hairspray or anything around them, luckily. I usually put on my perfume in the car or my bathroom, as well.
As for the exposed tendons. Pretty much, she said that because she's so little and hyper, she wouldn't be able to bandage it. (I will try to get a picture.) She trimmed a stringy tendon that was hanging out of her tail. She said it wasn't one that would effect the movement of her tail.
She told me to keep everything clean, and gave me pain meds and antibiotics. She said if it didn't start healing, it would need to be amputated. It's healing up, though.

 

[xxchelle]

It doesn't necessarily have to be spraying around them, but even perfume on you, and then them smelling it, can irritate them. I never wear any purfumes or hair sprays at home, and whenever anyone comes to the rescue I request they do not wear perfumes either.

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

I hope it heals up ok. If it were me I would go through all the proper intro steps taking as much time as needed just because relying on a new cage to make them all get along is a long shot and also if it doesn't go well then it can get bad pretty fast in a cage where you can't break up fights as easily.

 

[Smittenkittens]

I don't really wear perfumes at home, either. Only when I go out. I'm trying to keep my door open to get fresh air in there.

So, I listened to Ivy's lungs. Every breath seemed to be a sort of short raspy whimper. (Kind of hard to describe..)
I'm thinking I'm going to have to take her.

Also, I looked at Sesame's tail, and it's healing up. You can't see any tendons or anything anymore.
[spoiler:2gmb8r4t]

[/spoiler:2gmb8r4t]

 

[xxchelle]

Definitely sounds like she's got a URI starting, she'll need some meds, likely.

 

[Smittenkittens]

Hm. Yeah.
I'll try to make her an app. this week.

(Also, I just watched the video of CCH on tv! I love when people educate the public on rats.)

 

[xxchelle]

Hehe, thank you! We had fun doing it.

 

[jorats]

Looks like it's healing nicely.

I would definitely try intros, don't worry about how it went in the past just concentrate on now. Do wait till the tail is completely healed.