visiting boy poofs up a lot, saw vet, vet said he's ok, so ?

Petunia · Apr 28, 2012

as some of you know, i'm rat sitting for a friend. I had her three rats,female Niko age 28 mos or so, Hal PEW about a year old and Peri, a year old as well.
Peri died unexpected, apparently from an injury she sustained before arriving

Hal is a very nervous boy, and was very close to Peri. He's taking this very hard, plus here he is in a strange place......

I'm working with him to try to reduce his stress. I make sure he always has something with his scent on it nearby, I have a few pcs of fleece and a hammock that I have not washed to make sure that he's got something with his and his cagemate's scent on it and I don't move him anywhere without it

what worries me is that he is puffing up a lot.
I have taken him and Niko to the vet, Niko was sneezing but she's ok was probably "new home" sneezes

Hal is breathing fine etc but he gets all poofy and I'm not sure what is causing this.

but more importantly I dont know what to do for it, besides what I"m doing now.

any ideas?

jorats · Apr 28, 2012

He is puffing up because of all the new smells around him. He'll continue to do that until he either goes home or finally meets the "other" rats in the home or gets used to them.

Petunia · Apr 28, 2012

jorats said:
He is puffing up because of all the new smells around him. He'll continue to do that until he either goes home or finally meets the "other" rats in the home or gets used to them.

oh ok!
well his family just got back and they're taking him home tomorrow (boy am I gonna miss them!)

I talked to the mom for a long time tonight and she says he does that at home too

He is very very sensitive to smells, we both noticed that. He really needs to have something with his own scent on it or he gets very upset

so they were doing the same thing I've been doing, making sure he always has some "dirty laundry" in with him or with him where ever he goes

He does great in the bonding scarf.

they are going to adopt another rat and I might be helping them do intro's so I'm going to be reviewing all of your videos on that, Joanne!!

I'm so glad you've recorded them and share your expertise with intros.

Hal responded well to the flat hand on the top of his head to calm him down. but he really really wants another rat buddy like the one he lost.
I feel so bad for him.
Niko, his remaining cage mate will snuggle with him but he doesn't seem to get as much comfort from her as he obviously did from Peri

jorats · Apr 28, 2012

Poor little man, maybe it's time to get a new buddy?

Petunia · Apr 28, 2012

jorats said:
Poor little man, maybe it's time to get a new buddy?

oh yes, the family plans to get another rat as soon as they can. His cagemate Niko is around 28 mos old and has two tumors
so they might even try getting a bonded pair of rats, I don't know

I did say I'd be happy to keep this sweet boy and intro him to my girls, but of course, who could give up this sweet fella?