Rat Kissy....

Rat & Mouse Gazette: Q & A: "I just got my first rat two weeks ago and we seem to be hitting it off wonderfully. He is a very inquisitive boy, and I just love to let him run around me as I sit on the sofa at night. He has developed a rather strange habit of coming up to my mouth and sniffing at me. He really gets very close, I can feel his whiskers all along my lips. I don't know whether it's my breath or what, but it sure looks like he's giving me a little rat kiss! Is this typical behavior?"

~Meg Stephenson answers:
There are a range of social grooming behaviors that rats seem to share with humans and other animals that are considered by the rat to be part of the rat's social unit. I don't know that any scientific research has been done on this yet, so I will just share my observations with you.

Some rats will really invade your personal space. I had a male rat who would pry open my lips and proceed to investigate my teeth and mouth. I don't usually spread this around, but he would also lick the inside of my lips if I let him. It may be a way of finding out what I have been eating. He was very persistent. Several of my friendliest rats will also bestow kisses - on the mouth and on hands. Other behaviors involve sticking rat noses in ear canals and up nostrils, nibble grooming, and hair grooming. Most of my rats will groom my hands and nibble on my nails. They act like little manicurists. Some will remove hangnails, band-aids, and nail polish.

I believe this is one of the reasons that rats make such wonderful pets. They are able to interact with humans (through these social behaviors) in a way that benefits both species. Maybe I'm odd, but I get all warm and fuzzy feeling when I have the rats out for their evening playtime and I get a rat kiss. It makes up for some of the less pleasant daily stresses in my life.

you can kiss my...rat

Finding a Good Vet for your Rattie...

the Rat Report:
by Debbie "The Rat Lady" Ducommun

"Over the years I've received many calls about the problem of finding a veterinarian who understands the treatment of rats. I've heard many sad stories of rats lost due to the lack of knowledge or caring of vets. One rat died after being spayed due to hypothermia and blood loss. When the owner picked her rat up she knew from her poor condition that she was dying, but the vet insisted the rat was fine! Another vet told a rat owner that it was impossible to remove a medium-sized tumor because it was too big and instead recommended the rat be euthanized. I've heard of vets who say 'There's no point in removing tumors from rats because they never survive the surgery' (of course, we know different) or 'It's not worth the time and money because their lifespan is so short.' Another vet euthanized a rat with a broken leg because he said he couldn't do anything for him.

Of course not all vets are uncaring or completely unknowledgable about rats. But...
1. It's obvious that vets do not receive adequate training in the treatment of rats at vet schools. And some vets feel that since many rat owners aren't willing to pay for the same medical treatment for their rat as they would their dog, cat, or bird, it doesn't pay for them to develop this knowledge.

We must combat this attitude by making it clear that we want competent medical care for our rats and that we are willing to pay reasonable rates. (I think some vets overcharge because they don't want to be bothered, or are willing to take advantange of desperate owners. For example, quotes for $300 to remove a small tumor, or $200 for an $8 blood test.) And if any vet or staff member makes a derogatory comment about rats, we must tell them that we don't appreciate such an attitude.

2. Some vets, with the best of intentions, believe that if they can treat cats and dogs, they can also treat rats, without any special knowledge. They may not realize that rats have special needs, for example regarding post-operative and nursing care. Therefore we must be involved in the treatment process to make sure our rats get proper care. We must also take every opportunity to educate our vets on proper care.


The "Types" of Vets
In my experience there tends to be 4 basic types of vets when it comes to rats:
1. those who don't respect rats, regardless of their knowledge and experience (although it's doubtful they would gain much of either with such an attitude).

2. those who respect rats but who believe they already know all they need to know to treat them (even if they really don't) and are not open to advice.

3. those who respect or even like rats but who don't have the knowledge or experience to properly treat them. These vets generally are open to advice.

4. and finally, that gem among veterinarians, one who truly respects and likes rats, and through experience, openness, and a search for learning, has developed the knowledge needed to properly treat them.

I recommend avoiding type 1 or 2 vets like the plague. Although type 2 vets may have some experience treating rats, their unwillingness to consider alternatives based on lay-experience can lead to problems. So of course, our goal is to locate a type 4 vet, but since they're few and far between, many of us need to instead work with a type 3 vet who is willing to work to become a type 4. I would much prefer to work with a type 3 vet who is willing to read up on rat health care and listen to suggestions from their rat clients than a type 2 who will not listen.

How to Locate a Good Vet
First, if you're looking for a new vet, or have just moved, look on our vet referral list, or check with one of the other rat clubs for a referral. If there isn't a recommended vet in your area, I suggest the following strategy. Call all the vet offices in your area and ask them who they refer their rat patients and other "exotic" animals to. Generally one or more vets in an area will establish a reputation as the "exotic" animal vet. Make a list of all the vets mentioned, call their offices and ask for the vet to call you when it's convenient. Then ask the following questions:
How do you feel about rats as pets?
How many rats do you treat each year?
What type of rat surgeries have you done? How many and what has been the success rate? (It shouldn't be less than 95%.)
Do you require that food be withheld overnight before surgery? (Tests whether they know that rats can't vomit. The answer should be no.)
What treatment do you recommend for a mycoplasma infection? (Tests whether or they're familiar with this most common of rat diseases. The vet should mention some of the treatments discussed in my Rat Health Care booklet.)
If I could provide you with a booklet on rat health care written by a lay-expert on rats, how would you feel about this? (Tests their willingness to learn and accept advice.)

Once you have the answers to these questions, you should have a pretty good idea of how knowledgeable and experienced they are regarding rats, and their attitude towards rats.
First Visit to the Vet

Finally, it's best to take one of your rats in for a basic exam to find out how the vet handles and treats your rat and whether they seem easy to talk to. Try to get a feel for how open they are to suggestions and discussion. It's a definite plus if they put a towel down on the cold metal table for your rat.

During the exam, the vet should examine all your rat's parts, especially teeth. She should perform an internal exam on your rat (feeling the abdomen) and listen to the chest with a stethoscope. She should handle your rat gently but firmly without fear or nervousness. She should also take your rat's history, asking about his age, diet, type of cage, bedding, litter, and previous health problems.

Although this process can be time-consuming and expensive, it's the best way to insure that your vet will be a true working partner with you in the health care of your rat. But what if the local "exotic" vet doesn't pass muster? Then you must try to find a vet who is willing to learn more about rats.

Once you've located a vet you feel comfortable with, tell her about The Rat Fan Club and suggest that she subscribe to the Rat Report. Suggest she buy a copy of Rat Health Care. It would be a particularly good sign if she follows through on these suggestions. If not, consider buying at least the booklet for her.

Then (and this is always important) if your rat needs medical treatment, read up on the problem yourself so you can be involved in the process. And don't be afraid to question your vet on a particular treatment. After all, you know your rat best! Only through this type of action and encouragement will the proper treatment of rats become "commonplace" among veterinarians.

All the best...

Is your Rat Cool?

Don't work when trying to help your rattie beat the summer heat, but here are some other possibilites, many of which have been gleaned from the Rat List, other rattie folk, and some experience with keeping ratties cool in the hot Chicago summertime....

* Frozen chunks of fruits and/or veggies will keep your ratties cool from the inside out. If they are not pre-bagged frozen, and you are buying fresh to freeze, be sure to wash the produce before chopping and bagging and freezing....pesticide residues are bad news for ratties....

* Ice in a dish. Quick, simple, yet oh so satisfying. I have seen a hot rattie lick ice with great relish and seem much more comfortable afterwards, probably because the blood flowing through the tissues of the rattie's mouth is cooled by the ice, and as the cooled blood circulates through the rest of the body, it reduces overall body temperature. The cold water that is swallowed in the process has a similar effect, and additionally helps prevent dehydration. Plus, how else will you be able to see your ratties flap their arms? Unless you give them....

* Peas in a pie pan. Frozen peas with cool water. Your rattie may or may not be willing to wade in for the refreshments, but the possibility is good, and this can provide quick relief. Make sure to supervise adequately. This one can be messy; best done on a tile floor, not in the cage. The bathtub would be even better.

* Icewater in the water bottle. Same principal as the ice. Of course, ice won't fit into most water bottle openings unless it's crushed. A handy thing to do is simply have two water bottles and have one in the fridge cooling while the other is in use, and switch the two every couple of hours.

* Bottle full of ice. Save your old juice, pop, and water bottles--whatever size fits the number of ratties and the size of the cage. Wash thoroughly. Fill 3/4 full with water. Freeze thoroughly. When the the mercury soars, put a frozen bottle in with the ratties...they will sleep on or near it, and it will also lower the ambient temperature in the cage somewhat. It’s best to have two bottles per cage so you can switch off. Also, realize they may chew a hole in the bottle and soak the cage.....sometimes glass is best, but it can crack in the freezer.

* Spray Bottle--get a clean spray bottle--make sure it has no chemical residues. Put clean water in it. Refrigerate it. Periodically spray the rats down with it, as often as they seem to need it. This will not work well without adequate air circulation--a fan can help with this. Just make sure you don't soak the ratties and blast the fan on them--that's too stressful. Set the spray bottle to deliver a gentle mist, and set the fan so that it will move the air around the rattie, but not make it say, "Auntie Em! Auntie Em!"

Is your Rat:
a) Hot
b) Hip
c) Cool
d) Square

now thats one cool Rat!

Who stole my Rat?

HE was a beloved family pet named after the hero in cult television show The Prisoner.

But now Six the rat has been taken captive by a burglar after a bizarre theft which has left police baffled.

The black and white rodent and his wire cage were the only items stolen during a break-in at a city home.

Televisions, a DVD player, games consoles and cash were all left untouched as the burglar targeted the four-month old pet, but left a second rat - called Mouse - in a separate cage behind.

His owner James Wood, 21, today made an appeal for his safe return amid concerns over the rat's welfare.

Animal rescue workers condemned the robbery, which they said could leave Six suffering from "severe stress";.

The latest pet-napping follows the theft of a number of dogs in Edinburgh, including Barney the cocker spaniel, who was reunited with his worried owner after nine months.

Barney disappeared from outside Sainsbury's in Rose Street in January last year, sparking an appeal by the Evening News to help find him. The latest thief is believed to have slipped into the flat in Loganlea Terrace after Mr Wood and his mother went out last Friday night and left their front door unlocked.

Mr Wood said: "They could have taken the TV or something so it's all pretty strange. I can't really work it out. I bought Six as company for my other rat - rather confusingly named Mouse - but they didn't really get on. Rats can be quite territorial so they were just fighting with each other. I bought another cage from the pet shop and they were fine. But he was very affectionate and incredibly tame, as most rats are as pets."

Six was actually the seventh rat James has owned and he was named after the Patrick McGoohan character, Number Six, from one of his favourite TV shows, The Prisoner.

James, who work as a full-time carer for his mother Adrian, 39, said he was eager to see his pet returned safely and offered a £50 reward. He added: "I've no idea who would have taken him or why, but I just want him back."

His mother said: "There was a handbag with money in the living room and there were lots of electrical goods. I don't know why someone would steal a family pet.

"I would have preferred if they had taken the TV and I only felt robbed. Instead, they have left us wondering what will happen to Six.

"You get attached to pets, even if some people would say he was just a rat. But he was my son's pet and we were used to seeing him in the living room when we got up in the morning."

The family have put notices up in their local shops pleading for Six's return and asked neighbours to keep their eyes peeled for any sign of him.

Doreen Graham, spokeswoman for the SSPCA, said: "I've heard of pedigree dogs being stolen during burglaries but never a pet rat, but I'm sure it's just as distressing to the owners as losing a dog. A pet very quickly becomes an integral part of the family."

Ms Graham added that rats needed to be given a special food mix and water throughout the day, and also required regularly cleaning of their cage. She said: "It's the not knowing what has happened to them which can be the hardest thing for owners.

"They don't know if they are being well-treated. This pet could also find the ordeal very stressful".

A police spokesman said: "The theft of any pet is distressing to its owner.

"This crime is certainly out of the ordinary - in 20 years I've never heard of anything like it."

Who moved my cheese? no who moved my Rat?