Nursing a Sick Rat
Posted: Tuesday, January 08, 2008
by Catherine Smith
RatsRatsRats.com
We all hope it doesn't happen, but no matter how much of a good rat owner you are, there will be a time when you find yourself nursing a sick rat.
Quarantine?
The first decision to make is whether you are
going to move your sick rat into another cage. If he is not too sick and the
disease is not contagious, it is best to leave them in with their companions.
It will be less stressful and your rat will feel better being around his
friends.
Bedding
Make sure the cage is extra comfy for your rat. Use old
jumpers, or towels for bedding, so that your rat can snuggle up .
If your rat has a respiratory disease he may
get rather cold, so make sure you take steps to keep him warm. Put a heating
pad under the cage, covered by a towel. Do not put it inside the cage, or your
rat will chew the wires. You can also get a microwaveable heat pad. Keep the
pad over one side of the cage, so that your rat can move away if he gets too
hot.
Make sure you change the bedding in your
rats' cage frequently.
If it gets dirty your rat's illness could get worse. Clean the cage with a
germicidal cleaner, such as Parvasol ,
a mild bleach solution.
Drape a towel over one half of the cage, so
that your rat can retreat to a dark place to hide. Make sure that your rat doesn't get too hot and that
he stays hydrated.
Remember your rat may not be able to clean
himself when he is sick. Use a damp cloth to clean off any urine or waste.
Whatever you do don't rinse him under the tap. It will be too stressful.
Make sure to dry him thoroughly and gently with a towel.
Food
Your rat may not be eating much, or may not
be able to eat the same foods when he is ill. Try soft foods such as avocado,
thinly spread peanut butter, eggs, baby food and bananas.
Vanilla mixed with banana will be really
tasty.
You may need to hand feed your rat. Use a syringe if
he will not eat. 3cc, 6cc or 12cc are best.
Give your rat a pea sized blob of a vitamin
supplement such as Nutrigel ,
along with his other food.
You may also need to give water by hand . Mix the water with a
teaspoon of sugar and syringe feed it to your rat..
Use a damp tissue to gently clean any food
off your rat after each meal.
You can also use a syringe to administer your
rat's medication, or if he is eating you can add the meds to his favourite
liquid food (yoghurt or Soya milk).
If your rat is very ill, you may need to
administer injectable drugs .
Gently pinch the skin on the scruff of your ratties neck and slide the needle
under the skin. Massage the area before you do this. If possible, try not to
get antibiotics in pill form, as they are hard to administer.
Check that your rat is not dehydrated by gently pulling up
your rats skin and then releasing. It should ping back straight away. If it
takes time, your rat is not getting enough water and you should give it water
by syringe.
Keep a careful eye on your rat and
if his condition worsens seek advice from your vet.
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copyright Catherine Smith 2007
Check out my website for everything you've ever wanted
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Avacado is poisonous to ratsIn the #106/March 2001 issue of the Rat Report, Debbie Ducommun uses avacado as the Treat of the Month. "A favorite with almost all rats is avocado. Although high in fat, it is healthy fat, and a piece 3/4" square can be given once a week.
My rats enjoy this once a week and are very healthy.
Is this the C. Smith who was a peace corps volunteer in Zaire during the 80?I am afraid not. Sorry to dissapoint.
this was helpful, but what do i feed my sick rat with lots of vitamin a, c, and e?
dear my pet rat is sick. he likes it in a soda box inside of his cage. yesterday i nocticed he did not eat are drink any water out of his bowl. i bought him at a pet show. i have been feeding him mazuri . i have by poler and stress i do not want my pet rat to die. please write back soonest please
Please help this is helpful, but Peach is still not doing to well. My pet rat Peach has one infected red eye, has bloody sores on her hands, is losing patches of fur, and can only move with her two front legs. I think she has Luekemia but i could be wrong. My mom says that she can't take her to the vet, so i put water on an old pot holder mit, microwaved it and put it in tub of ware and put it in her cage. Then i put an old napkin in her cage to keep warm. Please help i know something's wrong she's not my perky old Peach, and can't even eat a treat sadly. I can't lose her she means everything to me!!!!1