The Quick Question Thread

[SterlingRats0408]

I don't have a credit card or anything. Kind of limited that way.

 

[Petunia]

I don't have a credit card or anything. Kind of limited that way.

oh yeh that makes it more difficult

anyone nearby that would buy stuff online for you, and you give them the cash? I've done that for friends

 

[Zephye]

So recently, I rescued a rattie that was supposed to be snake food but the snake wouldn't eat him. I'm just not sure his age though. He looks okay, mostly skinny.

 

[Joanne]

His fur looks thin on his neck in that first pic - I would Revolution him if you haven't yet.
I think most rats for food are young when they go to their demise. How much does he weigh?
One of the ways to age a rat is how they stand and use their hind feet. They start out zooming around on their toes, and the older they get, the more the weight transfers to their heels. Old rats are pretty flat-footed.

 

[Zephye]

Already revo'd him c:

Hmm, I'm not sure. He's about as big as my 10 week olds when I had them. He definitely isn't full grown. I just weighed him and he's 220g
He's definitely young but I can't really tell how he holds himself. He hasn't moved around much and spent most of the time he's been here sleeping or eating.

 

[Joanne]

So maybe around 3 months old, accounting for being underweight?

 

[Zephye]

How long do you think I should quarantine him before trying to intro?

 

[Joanne]

How long has he been away from the pet store and was he with any other rats or just the snake?

 

[Zephye]

No idea if he was from a pet store. I think he came with another rat since the box that was handed to me from the previous owner had '2 medium rats' written on the side. So he's probably been around another rat and the snake. I'm not sure how long... I'm not familiar with snake feeding cycles so I'm unsure.

 

[Joanne]

A month would be safe, but a couple of weeks would probably do. It's usually pet stores and mass breeders that will have the nasty viruses.

 

[ziraous]

Okay, so just 5 minutes ago I discovered my one rat likes eating snot filled tissues...he literally dumped the small garbage can, took the tissue ran to the middle of the room and began to eat the tissue! Should I call the vet?

 

[dspch911]

Its the tissue! Have you ever given them a box of kleenex? If not - please do so or hang a roll of toilet paper in there cage.

 

[Joanne]

Okay, so just 5 minutes ago I discovered my one rat likes eating snot filled tissues...he literally dumped the small garbage can, took the tissue ran to the middle of the room and began to eat the tissue! Should I call the vet?

Nope. They love stealing paper towel and Kleenex. They might ingest a small amount, but that is not a problem. They love to rip it up and pad their beds with it.
A very fun treat for them is to hang a roll of toilet paper in their cage, or a box of Kleenex. Then watch them redecorate!

 

[ziraous]

I give them the tissue boxes and .rolls from toilet paper I make into little treat holders, but they don't chew in those they just shred them. Ridi literally eats the tissue. But Thanks so much you guys! I hadn't had a rat eat the paper or boxes before. ^^ I tied a toilet paper roll up in some paper towel for my one rat. He loves it. ^^

 

[ziraous]

Another question. It just popped in my head. So, my one rat is free range. I have a container of water. Is it better he have a bottle like you put in a cage?

 

[Zephye]

Just confirming. Does this sound like a PT to you?

Lethargic, not very responsive (not coming to the cage door when I go see him) head bumping when I touch his head, squinty eyes, not too much difficulty holding a cheerio but he seemed confused for a while holding it in his mouth (seemed unsure what to do with it), some hind leg issues and he had a penis plug so he's not cleaning himself. He's also 2 years old.

His usual behaviour is excited, always comes when you go near the cage, doesn't like being pet much on his head and he's allowing me now which is weird for him, and he loves to move around.

 

[Joanne]

Just confirming. Does this sound like a PT to you?

Lethargic, not very responsive (not coming to the cage door when I go see him) head bumping when I touch his head, squinty eyes, not too much difficulty holding a cheerio but he seemed confused for a while holding it in his mouth (seemed unsure what to do with it), some hind leg issues and he had a penis plug so he's not cleaning himself. He's also 2 years old.

His usual behaviour is excited, always comes when you go near the cage, doesn't like being pet much on his head and he's allowing me now which is weird for him, and he loves to move around.

Yes, it does. Check for weight loss as well. Sometimes they have not been eating properly for a while.

 

[Zephye]

Yes, it does. Check for weight loss as well. Sometimes they have not been eating properly for a while.

Just weighed him, he's 505g which is his normal weight. These symptoms only appeared this morning. Last night he was perfectly fine.
He also has a respiratory distress issue this morning. We've been to the vets many times with him but they all say his lungs are clear. He's on Doxy and Azirtho.

 

[jorats]

How old is he? It does sound like the beginning of PT or a very severe respiratory infection.

Just weighed him, he's 505g which is his normal weight. These symptoms only appeared this morning. Last night he was perfectly fine.
He also has a respiratory distress issue this morning. We've been to the vets many times with him but they all say his lungs are clear. He's on Doxy and Azirtho.

 

[Zephye]

How old is he? It does sound like the beginning of PT or a very severe respiratory infection.

He's about 2 years old.