Signs to look for in a rescue rat

[Little_Vixen]

There's a craigslist ad that is pretty local to me that the poster has well.. posted at least two, possibly three times now saying that she is desperate to rehome her rat Goliath because she cannot properly feed him or give him time. This boy still hasn't found a new home yet, is alone, 11months old and needs more socialization. This doesn't feel like GGMR to me as much as getting this rat out of what seems like a not great situation.

I'm still unsure if I really want to right now. If I did there would be a quarantine because Alex is still on ABs for a URI (though happy to say he is getting meat back on his bones and not sniffly anymore) and I have never done intros before.

There isn't anyone local that I know of that would take a rat in, most of the people here do not generally speaking like rats all that much.

In the case that I DO choose to take this boy, what should I look for? I know to check the skin for mites, lice and fleas, check the eyes for alertness and watch for sneezes and wheezies, but what else?

I would rather have what I might possibly need for info now, than take a boyrat in that I don't know and have no idea what to do so advice and your knowledge would be appreciated.

 

[SQ]

That's about it.
Look for lumps and scabs.

You can hold him up to your ear and listen to both sides of his chest

If she has had him for over a month and he has not been around any other rats, he is likely already pretty much quarantined.

Depending on what he has been fed, his stool may be normal looking or discolored. He may have wet smelly fear poop.

You will need a cage for him while you do gradual intros. There are established steps to follow so you would have lots of help

Some boys are fine with other boys. Some males need to be neutered in order to get along with other males because of hormone levels

He sounds like he needs you ....

 

[jorats]

Sounds like you got it covered already. His health and temperament can greatly improve with time once he's in the right kind of home.
It sounds like you would do him a world of good if you would adopt him.

 

[Joanne]

Looking forward to pics of your new rescue. :giggle:

 

[Little_Vixen]

If she has had him for over a month and he has not been around any other rats, he is likely already pretty much quarantined.

Depending on what he has been fed, his stool may be normal looking or discolored. He may have wet smelly fear poop.

You will need a cage for him while you do gradual intros. There are established steps to follow so you would have lots of help

Some boys are fine with other boys. Some males need to be neutered in order to get along with other males because of hormone levels

He sounds like he needs you ....

He will be coming with a cage and we also have a temp cage not too much smaller than the cage the boys are in so depending on what size cage he comes with, it may turn into a travel cage. We will see.

I talked with the girl over text and she apparently recently lost the house she was in and besides the boy-rat, she has 4 dogs so it's hard for her to give him time right now.

I am a bit weary about taking him on because she says that it's becoming harder for her to handle him because he isn't getting much in the way of socialization. I think it would be well worth it though, if I can give him a home.

 

[Little_Vixen]

Looking forward to pics of your new rescue. :giggle:

Stinker

I will be hopefully picking up Goliath before work tomorrow.

Found out their story. It's a guy and his girlfriend or a girl and her girlfriend, they lost their house in North Carolina due to 'family matters' and the person I'm talking to was originally from the area and knew they could find jobs easily here so they came here. They are currently living in a tent with 4 dogs and a rat right now though. I wish I could help more for them, but I can at least give Goliath a good home so they don't have to worry about him anymore.

 

[jorats]

Such unfortunate circumstance but good for you to help Goliath.

 

[temblabamomo]

Oh my goodness, how sad for them. I'm sure they will be relieved to know their little one is going to a great home. Looking forward to pics of your new boy.

 

[Little_Vixen]

Will hopefully be getting him tomorrow now and not today. Apparently the person I was going to meet to get him ran late and has to drive an hour to work.

I'm actually quite anxious to get him now that we've made the decision.

 

[temblabamomo]

Will hopefully be getting him tomorrow now and not today. Apparently the person I was going to meet to get him ran late and has to drive an hour to work.

I'm actually quite anxious to get him now that we've made the decision.

I know the feeling. Even after it's been agreed upon, you can't really relax until you've got the new one safe in your home.

Good luck tomorrow.

 

[SQ]

so ...... what happened?
Pics?

 

[Little_Vixen]

Oh, Sorry! I posted a meeting Goliath post over in rat chat and pics I think? It says Introducing Oscar aka Goliath, but we are pretty sure keeping Goliath as his name