My husband is a maintanence supervisor at an apartment complex and while doing his daily run of the property found a pet rat that someone had let go. It has been bit by something, it's right front leg has a lot of swelling (it's still walking on it and the swelling is about the size of a golf ball). It does not appear to be a poisonous bit, logic says it would be dead by now. i've never kept a rat as a pet so i'm kinda lost on it's care. any advise or links to sites that could help would be appriciated
Answers:
Is it a male or a female rat? Are you sure it is a bite and it is swollen? It鈥檚 possible that it is an abscess, or if it is a female, it could be a tumor. If it is eating, drinking and moving around, it is doing fine for now. To reduce the swelling give it a very small dosage of children鈥檚 aspirin. This should reduce the swelling and relieve any pain. If it is infected, you鈥檒l want to give it some antibiotics. It鈥檚 hard to find some without a prescription, but you can buy amoxicillin at some fish supply stores. The brand is usually Fishmox or something similar. This is the same stuff you give to dogs, cats or any other creature. I鈥檓 not sure why you can buy it fish and not others, but it works. You鈥檒l need to administer the correct dosage, but I鈥檇 recommend figuring out definitively whether it is a bite or not.
If it is an abscess, it will feel kind of squishy and you can move it independently of the skin. If that is the case, you鈥檒l need to hold a hot compress to the rat a couple of times a day, this will aid in it coming to the surface so it can burst. After it has done that, you have to clean it out and keep it clean until it heals.
If it is a tumor, surgery is usually the only answer though there have been cases of tumors being fought using Black Salve and Bloodroot.
If you plan on keeping the rat, you will need a 2x2 multi level cage with suitable bedding. I can give you a whole laundry list of things you will need for your rat, but if you鈥檇 like more information, you can email or IM me at Luvianacaro@yahoo.com. I would be more than happy to answer any questions you have.
Awe, poor rat.
I hope its foot gets better.
Why dont you wrap is with a small piece of gauze and
take it to the vet later?
well first take it to a vet. if You wana keep it then get a 2x2 cage cut make sure the wals are small so it can't escaope and it needs a top and rats climb. go to your libary and take out a book about them that is what i did
Hope it turns out ok.
http://www.petrats.org/
Oh poor rattie rat. I would take it to a vet and have him check out that leg. May need a round of antibiotic's. God Bless you for taking in the rat they make wonderful pets
I think you need to take your rat to the vet. I am sure there is a vet in your area that specializes in rodent care. People do keep rats as pets and also other rodents. It sounds like the injury may need careful analysis by a professional.
Good luck with this.
My heart goes out to you taking on the care of a forgotten animal.
You are kind to care about this poor little rattie. Sounds like you and your husband are the best thing that has happened to him. First he must not have had a very caring owner, then the only family he had abandoned him, then he got bit.
I am thanking you! I have 5 wonderful pet rats.
Of course he needs to be seen by a vet that knows something about rats. Some vets charge more than others, I have an excellent vet that is very reasnable.
Hopefully the vet will get him started on antibiotics and check him for other problems like dehydration and the like.
He may need some nursing back to health. Pet rats are well worth it.
He will need a wire cage, a drinking bottle, a nest box (could be a shoe box or something easy). They like to sleep in hammocks. You can make a simple one out of fleece pinned to the sides of the cage. Unless the vet finds that he needs anything special he can eat many of the things you have on hand. Don't give him soda pop or cat food.
There are many good websites that can help you out.
I hope that when he is well, if you can keep him, that you will be able to get him a pair of very young rats as companions. He needs some ratty company as well as your love and attention.
Good luck! You may have found your perfect animal companion.
Are you planning on keeping the rat? If so, you are right to take it to the vet as soon as you can.
If not, Petco stores will care for any pet and put it up for adoption to a good home. I hope you choose to keep it, but if not, there are other options.
I have included a link to a care sheet with some general info about rat care.
http://www.petco.com/caresheets/small%20...
aww well as for the bite, dont worry about it...rats heal VERY quickly, but if you DO wish to clean it swipe on some neosporin. Question...are you SURE it was a pet?? Not at all uncommon for rats to be in buildings...lol but anyways, i would reccommend buying a 10 gallon tank, you can get bedding called clean n comfy works great! Every week remove everythign in the cage and clean with soap and water. You can go to your local pet store and buy rat food, otherwise you could buy a bag of generic dog food, give him quite a bite...also they are scavengers..love ALL left overs!!
If I were you I would take it to an animal shelter.
Don't keep it. It could be infected with a disease (from the bite). Since you can't take it to the vet, it is best to take it to a humane society to have them take care of it. But seriously, be careful, don't play with it and by all means, wash your hands!
Find a small cage or unused cardboard box. Line it with towels and newspaper. Offer food in one small bowl and water in another. Offer grain, crackers, carrots, rats eat anything. Take it to the vet as soon as possible.
F.Y.I:
Some animal hospitals won't care for rats. Rats are considered an exotic animal. Call a vet in the morning and ask them if they will care for a rat. If not, try other various vets.
Thankyou for taking the ratty in! We need more people in the world like you :)
Id take the rat to the vet when you get the money, are you planning to keep it or not?
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