Vet appointment Friday

[lindsayfawn]

Well I got the appointment booked to have Raina's lump looked at. I'm going to take the rest of the girls with me to get a check up too so I know they're a healthy weight and in case I've missed something.
I started this Rat Journal, putting all the names, dates, breed, and all that stuff of my little ratties. And a section for Vet check ups so I know when I went and what happened when I went there. My memory sucks sometimes lol so I figure this would be a good way to keep everything in order.
wish me luck.
linds

 

[jorats]

I've got a pet log as well, I'm on my third one... started it in 2002. It's actually a great reference guide too for your own personal use.

Good idea in bringing in all your girls and getting a check up on all of them.

 

[Moon]

How did you two organize your rat logs? It's a good idea.

Best of luck to your kiddos on Friday!

 

[SQ]

I have a "rat health" book too.

I record vet visits, meds, any health problems I notice, etc. I also record weights and any questions I want to ask the vet ... along with the answers.
Very handy when answering questions re health history.
or for reference in the future.

 

[LA]

I have started one as well, but I am terrible at writing so I have it on my computer. I record type, eye colour, sex, age roughly of each rat. I have started a habit of weighing the rats each month so I record the date and weight. Any info about introductions so I can refer back to it. I write anything about vet visits. Also basically anything of note. There is not much now, but when they are older I am sure there may be more.
I do want to record age that things happen.

 

[mamarat]

Good luck for your sweeties.

 

[lindsayfawn]

Thanks.
In my rat log I put their name, where I got them, age, what kind, the date I got her, when they died, and Ilness. I have a seperate page for vet visits.

I was wondering how you weigh your rats at home? Where can you buy something that you can weigh them with?

 

[SQ]

I have a digital postal scale.
It weighs accurately to 1 g and weighs up to 2.2 kg.

 

[lilspaz68]

Pelouze digital postal scale (Tosca modelling)

I weigh once a month unless I have someone I am concerned with.

In my Rat Log I note down medications given, for what, dosages, when started etc. I have an excel sheet for every month and have all the rats, dates of birth (If I have), age etc on it.

 

[Godmother]

Shelagh, an Excel sheet is an excellent idea!

 

[lilspaz68]

Shelagh, an Excel sheet is an excellent idea!

I can send you mine so you see how its setup and you can make your own if you want?

 

[lindsayfawn]

That's cool, I'm going to have to find one of those. Where can you get those scales at?

 

[lilspaz68]

Staples, Office Depot etc

 

[lindsayfawn]

I'll have to go and check that out at the staples here. Thanks!

 

[Melissa's ZOO]

Or you can get a kitchen scale. I got mine from Bed Bath & Beyond. It weighs up to 5 lbs in ounces and grams and it came with its own bowl that the rats fit nicely in.

I weigh once a month as well and record it in my rat book.

 

[Godmother]

I love the postal scale.

I just remembered that Shelagh already sent me her Excel worksheet ages ago; I have been too busy/lazy to put it into practice!

 

[lilspaz68]

I love the postal scale.

I just remembered that Shelagh already sent me her Excel worksheet ages ago; I have been too busy/lazy to put it into practice!

Hehe, well you do seem to have a few more rats than when I sent it to you ages ago. You might want to use it now :wink2:

 

[Bronwyn]

Good luck to Raina!

I never thought to start my own log book. I'd take in the rats to work with me often enough that their file is pretty coherent and complete. If something's missing I jot it in...no one notices.

 

[lindsayfawn]

Well I took the girls into the vet and everything went really well. The girls were a little stressed out being in the cage and going. They cuddled right into my neck as soon as we were in side when I got them out of the cage lol
The vet was really impressed in how healthy they were and how shinny their coats are. She said they're are all in perfect weight.
Emily is a little chunky lol but she'll grow into her weight 'cause she's young. She said Raina, who has the lump, is very healthy and that it's a good sign that the mass doesn't seem to be connected to any of her vital parts. So it's up to me if I want to have it removed or not.
It's not hurting her right now, she's in no pain, she moves around like she always did, eats healthy and all that good stuff. So I have to kinda way the pro's and con's. The vet did say that operating on rats are risky because where they can't incubate them (put the tube down their throat) and have to use the mask. So that makes me a little nervous.
It's good to know that she's in perfect health though besides having that little lump, so I dunno if I should just leave it and watch her for a bit or go ahead and do the surgary. Something I'll have to sleep on.

forgot to add some pictures before I pushed the submit button lol

Raina: Mom do I have to go to the doctor?

Mischa: Marco........Gloria: Polo!

Big baby's

I treated them to eating on the bed lol I think they enjoyed it. Mom's not so bad after all.

Emily eating a pea after the vet visit. lol my little porker

 

[jorats]

Such little darlings. Good to hear that they are in top health. As for the lump, the smaller it is the easier it will be to remove it, something else to keep in mind.