Is this rat sick? Video link....

[horselo285]

Hi,

I purchased to baby girl rats a few days ago. One is clearly healthy, active and happy.

The other has been from the start, less active and happy with a rougher coat. I also, sometimes notice strange noises when I am holding her that the other baby does not make.

I am trying to figure out if she is just scared or if she is ill as well.

Here is a link to a video I took of her today. I do not always notice the sound but i managed to get it on camera today...it is not great but hopefully someone will be able to tell me if I should be worried.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQvten3R ... vQB4-i8bxd

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Laura and the babies

 

[lilspaz68]

Those are nasally sounds, so she's probably getting sick or already is sick. You are going to need to take her to the vet.

 

[horselo285]

Aaaw man- poor baby.

The pet store I got her from guarentees their babies and will provide vet care if sick in the first 15 days so I am going to call them.

I am so sad right now. :-( I hope she gets better quick.

 

[victoria]

You may want to take a look at this thread before taking your rat back to the pet store for treatment - viewtopic.php?f=20&t=28141

It's a particularly bad idea in your case as you would have 2 lone girls for at least 3 weeks at an important stage of their development/socialization. The pet store still needs to make a profit on the $10 rat they sold you... they are going to try to treat her for the cheapest price possible or euthanize her if it gets to expensive. (I'm assuming their policy is the same as the other poster's, if they're willing to pay for a vet visit - even if the vet is their choice - but let you keep caring for her, then it may be worth a shot making a 'guarantee' claim.)

 

[horselo285]

You may want to take a look at this thread before taking your rat back to the pet store for treatment - viewtopic.php?f=20&t=28141

It's a particularly bad idea in your case as you would have 2 lone girls for at least 3 weeks at an important stage of their development/socialization. The pet store still needs to make a profit on the $10 rat they sold you... they are going to try to treat her for the cheapest price possible or euthanize her if it gets to expensive. (I'm assuming their policy is the same as the other poster's, if they're willing to pay for a vet visit - even if the vet is their choice - but let you keep caring for her, then it may be worth a shot making a 'guarantee' claim.)

I took her back last night, long before I read this. :-( I am a bit concerned, but I know that they use an exotics vet and the small animal manager seems to really care. He called me and left me a vm this am, saying that the vet came and checked her out and they have started her on antibiotics.

Baby girl (my son and I still havent figure out the perfect name for her) had a incubation area all set up, with a cage in a back room away from the other animals. I saw some of the concern is that she will share "airspace" with other rats. They don't have a lot of rats in the store and those they have are kept by the register so the employees can easily socialize them...so they are literally on the opposite side of the store from Baby girl. Plus, there was only one rat left (Bella nad baby girl were with her when I bought them) so....as my cage can hold three rats, I went ahead and purchased her so Bella wouldn't be alone. She seems healthy and alert-- I am just praying that she (Ruby...that was easy cause shes an albino dumbo...so the red eyes look like rubies..lol) and Bella don't show any sign of illness. So far so good.

I miss baby girl and hope she is doing okay. I am going to see if I can visit her after work tomorrow or Tuesday. ( I work, but do not live near her petstore).

 

[hopefloats]

there was a post from someone here who took their rat back few weeks later not much change. I personally would never do it just because you took them home, to take them back can be stressful. I believe if you are going to get a pet store pet, it is going to be sick most likely you need to be prepared to handle it. I think the risk of returning them will be higher than keeping them at home.

 

[horselo285]

Well, I did not know that when I took her back and I am not sure what to do now.

If I had the extra money, I would have just brought Baby girl to the vet myself, but I haven't had a chance to save a pet fund yet for the rats as I just got them and spent all my extra money on their cage and supplies.. I have two dogs but any vet care for them is done by my mother's friend who is a vet (she comes to my house). However, she does not treat pocket pets. She would probably be willing to prescribe the needed meds if I could find out what she needs.

Bella has been very withdrawn since I took away baby girl...even though I brought back their other cage mate so she wouldn't be alone.

Bella and her old cage mate from the pet store don't seem to happy together and Bella really seems to miss baby girl. I am considering going back to the pet shop and asking to bring baby girl back home and treating her here.

What do you guys think?

Thanks!

 

[hopefloats]

I would treat her at home. then you will know she is getting her meds and improving.

 

[horselo285]

I'm thinking I need to do that. And I just found out that the person this morning was either lying to me or made a mistake. I called to talk to the manager to see if I could bring her home with meds to treat her and he said that they haven't started her on meds and that they talked to the vet who said to watch her for a day and see what she does and that the vet is coming in Tuesday.

I am very upset. Just called some places for vet pricing and those that are open told me $100 for the visit plus any treatment or meds. I don't have it right now.

If it is a URI as thought, does anyone know what meds she should be on so I could see if my moms friend could get them for me? I don't know if she would be willing, but I could try.

I tried to do the right thing and made everything worse...I am so upset right now

 

[hopefloats]

Personally with baby i use amoxicillin. I dont use anything stronger unless I am sure it is an out break. I have had great luck with babies and amoxicillin. baytril and doxy can be used if they are older but not younger unless it is an outbreak.

 

[hprats]

I'm sorry she's sick.

For meds, anyone would tell you doxycycline and baytril, and maybe some metacam if she's very sniffly sounding (oh, I see someone said that isn't for babies...I've never had ratties under 4 months so I didn't know!)

Don't feel bad about taking her back though. You obviously thought it was the best thing to do, and I personally don't think it was necessarily the wrong thing to do. For one, if more people took their rats back expecting care, the pet stores might have to start caring more about keeping them healthy and not selling sick rats, because it's true that they won't make much of a profit selling 10 dollar rats and having to treat them. Even selling them for a higher price but with better care beforehand would be better.

 

[horselo285]

Thanks guys!!

I called the store again and spoke to the manager and he said that the vet is coming today to look at her. I guess they realized I was serious and not just dropping her off and 4getting about her.

They are supposed to call me after the vet looks at her...if I dont hear from them by close to closing time I am going to call again.

The manager (or 2days manager at least...its not the same person I saw yesterday when I brought her back) seemed to think it would be fine for me to bring her home and treat her and that they would be able to send meds with me if the vet puts her on them.

If they end up putting up a fight, I will do my best to insist on taking her, even without meds and then I will either figure out a vet visit or see if my moms friend can give me a prescription. I am really worried about her and the delay in treatment.

I am also worried about Bella and the other cagemate from the store. Bella wants nothing to do with her (or me) at this point. She stays on the opposite side of the cage.....what can I do to help her until I can get Baby girl home? She has been the friendliest, playful little rat and now she doesn't leave her hide...except to eat or drink.

Is it possible for this depression to supress her immune system and lead to her becoming ill?
Is it better for me to handle her even if she is not keen on it or to let her be by herself?
Is there anyway to help her and Ruby (her cage mate from the petstore who I brought home last night to keep her company) re-aquainted faster? They have only been apart a few days, but you would think it had been months the way they are acting. :-(

I really appreciate all the help!!!

 

[Joanne]

I hope you hear from the pet store soon about your baby girl. As far as the other two go, I would take them out and do some 'shirt time' with them, ie put on a snug shirt, and then a loose sweater over top and tuck them down between the layers. They get to spend some out time but at the same time it is dark and cozy and warm so it's not too scary, and they get familiar with your scent. Don't wear good clothes though! My shirts and sweaters have holes in them compliments of the ratties!

I agree Baytril is not for babies and that Amoxicillin is probably the best option. If they will give you the meds and let you take her home and treat her that would be the best option.

 

[horselo285]

So, im trying "shirt time"...Ruby has fallen asleep on my shoulder buy Bella is racing around...im a bit worried though cause she is starting to make some noises when she is sniffing and im worried she is getting sick...I dunno what to do

 

[KayRatz]

Personally if they were all in the same cage together before you got them then they're all probably going to get sick, so I usually treat all rats who were together if one gets sick, but that's just me.

 

[victoria]

Personally if they were all in the same cage together before you got them then they're all probably going to get sick, so I usually treat all rats who were together if one gets sick, but that's just me.

That's not always the case. I have half my cage that has a mild URI right now (I realize now it's due to us cranking the heat and am going to purchase a cool mist humidifier to replace the lost moisture) but the rest of my guys are completely healthy. Sometimes some rats in the same colony can fight off an infection on their own while others can't. If I had to treat all my rats every time one got sick I wouldn't have as many rats.

 

[horselo285]

Personally if they were all in the same cage together before you got them then they're all probably going to get sick, so I usually treat all rats who were together if one gets sick, but that's just me.

That's not always the case. I have half my cage that has a mild URI right now (I realize now it's due to us cranking the heat and am going to purchase a cool mist humidifier to replace the lost moisture) but the rest of my guys are completely healthy. Sometimes some rats in the same colony can fight off an infection on their own while others can't. If I had to treat all my rats every time one got sick I wouldn't have as many rats.

I just saw this and it made me feel better. I have been feeling so stressed. I'm worried about the other girls and I am not sure if I am kind of making up symptoms out of fear.

I am keeping a close eye on them and I have a call into a couple of vets to see if they would check all three rats in one appointment if need be. I hoping I will go to the pet store tomorrow and they will have baby girl on meds and I will be able to bring her home and care for her....but if they don't have her on meds yet- I need to find an affordable way to get them.

I honestly did not think I would be dealing with illness so soon and am just not prepared for it. I was planning to save up money for future vet care, but it's only been 5 or 6 days since I first purchased Bella. :-/ I just haven't had the time.

I hope things start to turn around and go smoother.

 

[MadamBelladonna]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't most vets give you some kind of discount if you bring in all of your pets at once? Never done it before, I just take them in when needed but it doesn't hurt to ask

 

[victoria]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't most vets give you some kind of discount if you bring in all of your pets at once? Never done it before, I just take them in when needed but it doesn't hurt to ask

Most do, but it varies widely. My first vet charged me for one exam no matter how many rats I brought in (small town) but the one I see now reduces the price of each additional exam by 25%, so it's cheaper but still leaves a bigger dent in my wallet. On the flip side, additional meds for each additional rat cost only a few dollars more, if that.

I honestly did not think I would be dealing with illness so soon and am just not prepared for it. I was planning to save up money for future vet care, but it's only been 5 or 6 days since I first purchased Bella. :-/ I just haven't had the time.

Sadly, this is why we often recommend people have a vet fund before getting a pet - you just never know. Rats are somewhat more likely to get sick by the stress of moving around until they finally end up at their final destination. It's not exclusive to rats though, I frequently hear of people purchasing what turns out to be a gravely ill kitten or puppy and then surrendering it to a rescue because the care was more than they could afford (even though in some cases they paid $1500+ for a dog) and it was more than the pet store was willing to pay and they did not want to see the animal euthanized.

It's another reason to consider a rescue or a shelter when looking for a companion animal. Often, they screen to make sure that you are reasonably ready to take care of the animal and they have known the animal for a while so they can give you a more accurate picture of their state of health.

 

[KayRatz]

Yes... I watched what little I had saved up dwindle away as I frantically tried to get my hairless pet store boy Argonaut healthy. I'm sorry you're learning the hard way as well that pet store rats are just never a good idea...

The first vet I went to with Argo, I had a dog with an issue at the same time so I took them both in and still paid the visit fee for each. Not sure about multiple rats though.