Molly&Binx'sMum
Active Member
I know I only come on here when I'm stressed out about a question, so: Sorry! I do like the site and everyone here, I swear! :heart:
So here's the big ol' complicated deal.
About three weeks back I noticed Binx was squeaking a little when she sniffed. I worried it might be something respiratory, so we went to the vet. Vet said it didn't sound like much, but gave me anti-biotics for both of them just in case. Forced the meds (that was fun) for the full ten days. Molly never showed any symptoms, and Binx's squeak never went away. They've been eating and playing normally, so I thought maybe the noise is just 'cuz Binx is a fattie.
Here's where it gets complicated.
Last night when my husband came home from work, a little black cat came tearing in the door with him. We fed her some tuna and scritched her a bit, and I told him to take her back out. I went to the living room and she darted in before me and jumped up on the couch. (The rattie play couch, mind you.) We put her out with a blanket & some food and she proceeded to cry on the porch all night.
I came in, changed clothes, washed up, and gave the ratties their dinner. We always play after dinner, but they would NOT come out of the cage. I didn't force them, but tried again this morning. I took them out against their will since they NEED their free-range time usually (they've NEVER turned it down before). They hit the couch and scattered. Binx hid behind the cushion and Molly would NOT come out from behind the couch. She's never run from me like that before.
What's more, when I just went to feed her, she did this weird jerky up & down movement with her head. Almost like she was yelling at me, but I might be projecting.
So: Do they smell the cat (even though they've never met another animal in their entire lives) and fear it? Or is this a symptom of whatever illness they've been coming down with? Can I keep the cat in the basement until I can get her to the vet and hope the rats get used to her smells?
WHAT IS GOING ON AND WHAT DO I DO!?!?!?!?!?! :yikes:
I want to help this kitty, but not if she's making my rats psycho. Or are they sick and all three of them (cat and rats) need the vet? HELP!
p.s. Anyone ever successfully introduce a cat to rats? Just wondering.
So here's the big ol' complicated deal.
About three weeks back I noticed Binx was squeaking a little when she sniffed. I worried it might be something respiratory, so we went to the vet. Vet said it didn't sound like much, but gave me anti-biotics for both of them just in case. Forced the meds (that was fun) for the full ten days. Molly never showed any symptoms, and Binx's squeak never went away. They've been eating and playing normally, so I thought maybe the noise is just 'cuz Binx is a fattie.
Here's where it gets complicated.
Last night when my husband came home from work, a little black cat came tearing in the door with him. We fed her some tuna and scritched her a bit, and I told him to take her back out. I went to the living room and she darted in before me and jumped up on the couch. (The rattie play couch, mind you.) We put her out with a blanket & some food and she proceeded to cry on the porch all night.
I came in, changed clothes, washed up, and gave the ratties their dinner. We always play after dinner, but they would NOT come out of the cage. I didn't force them, but tried again this morning. I took them out against their will since they NEED their free-range time usually (they've NEVER turned it down before). They hit the couch and scattered. Binx hid behind the cushion and Molly would NOT come out from behind the couch. She's never run from me like that before.
What's more, when I just went to feed her, she did this weird jerky up & down movement with her head. Almost like she was yelling at me, but I might be projecting.
So: Do they smell the cat (even though they've never met another animal in their entire lives) and fear it? Or is this a symptom of whatever illness they've been coming down with? Can I keep the cat in the basement until I can get her to the vet and hope the rats get used to her smells?
WHAT IS GOING ON AND WHAT DO I DO!?!?!?!?!?! :yikes:
I want to help this kitty, but not if she's making my rats psycho. Or are they sick and all three of them (cat and rats) need the vet? HELP!
p.s. Anyone ever successfully introduce a cat to rats? Just wondering.