Sneaking Rat Onto Bus for Vet Visit

[Sam]

Hi,

So normally, I wouldn't do this but it's my only way of getting my rat to the vet's. She's about 6 months old, maybe less and I suspect she has an ear infection as she keeps shaking her head (the way a wet dog would) and picking at her ears (her cagemate had lice; this is their fourth week on ivermectine therefore it's not ear mites or anything like that).
I have an appointment today at 3:00 and would like any advise you guys have on sneaking her onto the bus safely and of course without anyone finding out.
My main concern is that it's gonna be 31 degrees celsius at that time today (that's about 88 fahrenheit). I will have a frozen water bottle for her and will offer her water and fruit when possible.
The bus ride should only be about 15 minutes at the most and is air conditioned, but I will be walking to and from the bus in the heat.

I could put her in my purse, she does sometimes like to hangout in there but not for long periods of time though. What do you guys think of this idea?

Should I bring her cagemate with her as well? I don't want to stress out my other rat but I don't want her to feel lonely and scared either.

Any advise on the situation is very welcome.

Also, if anyone knows any effective and safe home remedies for this, it would save me like an $80 vet visit

Thank you very muchly :bow:

 

[melon_mayhem]

The purse would be good just provide that frozen water bottle but wrap it in a paper towel so she doesnt get all wet. Then add a bit of dry food. If its a zipping purse i would leave it unzipped a little but not enough for her to get out.

I know when it was end of winter/beginning of spring i was able to wear a hoodie and one of my rats loved to go with me on short trips inside my hoodie. But seening as it'll be a bit warm i think that thats probably out of the question :giggle:

Good Luck!

 

[SQ]

For an ear infection you need a steriod and antibiotics from the vet.

I usually take at least one friend along when a rat needs to go to the vet.
I'd keep the purse open if possible ... I have put a small cage inside a gym bag and taken rats places. I have left the top unzipped, but since they were in a cage there was no danger of escape.

Frozen water bottle, fruit etc are good ideas.
all the best

 

[lilspaz68]

I use a bag with the small Superpet wire insert as the carrier

I use a freezer pack wrapped in fleece, then put it on top or beside the carrier and then a piece of fleece on top to keep the cool in and the curious eyes out.

My public transit is a 10 min bus to a 20 minute subway to a 10 min bus.

 

[jorats]

Some transit systems allow pets in suitable carriers on buses. You should check with them.

 

[Sam]

Awesome thanks for all the advise.

The transit system here definitely doesn't allow animals. I asked a few months ago and the guy freaked out about rats spreading disease to his passengers blah blah blah. To be fair, I don't think he was having a good day to begin with.

Anywho, I don't have a gym bag or a small carrier so I guess I'll be putting her in my purse.

I also wanted to ask, along with the shaking of the head and picking at the ears, my rat also seems... itchier than usual (on her entire body, not just the ears). Any thoughts on that? Again, this is their fourth week on Ivermectine so I don't think it's parasites.

 

[Zooy]

I usually just put a travel cage inside a duffell bag. Never had an issue!

 

[littledevils]

It says BC in your location but of course it's big... If you are in the Vancouver area... they do allow small crated/caged pets and I do take rats on the bus regularly, sometimes 10 at a time :giggle: You do get a lot of stares and comments (good/bad) though so you need a bit of a thick skin.

 

[SQ]

Ivermectine doesn't always work well for mites.

 

[Kayla]

I have a small carrier that I put in another bag as well when I take my rats on the bus. I give them frozen grapes when it's warm and I usually have them travel in pairs.