I need some help everyone!! Please read!

**Aspen and Misty** · 11-02-2002, 07:30 AM

I have been discussing with my parents for the last month or so about getting another rat, or two. The only reson I can get more rats is because we are buying a bigger cage, probly a 3 story one. I was wondering if anyone knows where I can get some nice rat cages, or if they have a big rat cage where did you get it? Also, most of the cages I have seen have wire floors. Are those goods for rats?

Thank you so much!

Ashley

**RockyRoad** · 11-02-2002, 10:39 AM

OK here is that old AOL search thing to help you along!!

http://aolsearch.aol.com/dirsearch.a...cages&x=13&y=7

Hope his helps and that you get a great new addition(s) to your family!!

**luckies4me** · 11-02-2002, 10:42 AM

Wire floors can damage a ratties delicate feet and lead to sores or a condition called "bumblefoot". They can also get their feet and legs stuck in the bars, which can cause nasty accidents. If you decide to get a wire cage please make sure the ba spacing is no more than 1/2 inch for adults and 1/4 inch for youngsters under three months. If you are aquiring kittens (3 to 6 weeks old) you should not put them in a wire cage. Keep them in a tank until they are old enough not to risk injury. Also kittens can squeeze through anything the size of thier head or smaller.

If you must use a wire floor you can cover the bottom with carpeting or wood, non splitering of course. Some people use linoleum, however if your rats chew this is not a good idea as most of the time the linoleum is glued. You should try to find a cage with a solid bottom and pull out tray for easier cleaning. Martins cages and also Quality cage company in Portland OR have awesome cages for failry cheap and they both ship. Martins cages also takes special orders and will custom design a cage to your liking.

If you have bucks make sure you keep them in a powder coated wire cage. If you use galvanized wire, the bucks urine with erode the wire and can lead to zinc poisoning.

Also make sure when you get more rats that you get the same sex as you have now!! I cannot urge this enough, but look at your rat to determine the sex before you buy. Most petstore people cannot tell baby rats apart. If you need any help on determining sex let me know. It is fairly easy to tell the sex's apart. I can tell my kitten apart the first day they are born.

Also make sure that if you do go to a petstore to buy the rats you should look for the following things before deciding to take that rat home.

Check the eyes ears and nose. Make sure they are clear and free of discharge or poryphoren, a red discharge that sometimes looks like blood. This is a sign of respiratory illness and could also be MYCO. Pick up the rat and listen to his breathing. You should not hear any rasping sounds at all.

Pick a rat who is calm and goes to you. Most petshop rats are the result of bad breeding (not all) so you nee to be careful. They are more prone to illness and cancer, not to mention a plain old bad attitude.

Look at the fur. Are there any scabs? Check for mites/lice. Scabs on bucks can also be the result of too much protein. You may need to evalute their diet. Make sure does are not pregnant. Does are capable of getting pregnant at four weeks of age and sometimes sooner, bucks being able to reproduce at three weeks of age. If the doe is pair shaped rather than round she could be pregnant. You can feel if there are any kittens inside by palpating her abdomen. Kittens are very easy to feel and sometimes can be seen moving.

The last thing, please if you can, go to a breeder. These rats are much more healthy and happy rats. They are usually held since birth and more tame. Undesirable traits are bred out and the rats live longer healthier lives. They are less prone to Myco outbreaks and SDA.

Hope this info helps.

**Aspen and Misty** · 11-02-2002, 11:18 AM

Thax everyone! There are no rats breeders near me. I am probly going to buys something to put on the bottom of a cage. My two rats are girls so I am planning on getting more girls. No babbies!!! Thanx, I never knew what to check them for and now I know. I am going around 4. I can't wait! I hope they have healthy rats.

Ash

**RockyRoad** · 11-02-2002, 12:11 PM

That's so great!!

I'm sure they'll be so happy with your other ratties!!

**Aspen and Misty** · 11-02-2002, 03:51 PM

i'M THE PROUD MOMMA OF TWO NEW BABY GIRLS!!!

One is all white expect for on her head she has a little bit of grey teh wrpas around her neck. I'm thinking about nameing her Tundra, after our cat we lost like a month ago. The other one is all grey exept on her tummy its white. AWWW. I KNOW!!!! I can't wait to show off these little ones. I'm gonna try to find out how old they are!OMG ARE THEY CUTE!!!

My only concern is when do you think they will be old enough to be intorduced to Melony and Hope???? They aren't even half there size yet.

Ash

AHHH. Ok so I'm a little exited!

**Aspen and Misty** · 11-02-2002, 04:17 PM

I think Bella for the Grey one and Bree for the white one..Anyoen have any name suggestions???

Ash

**Aspen and Misty** · 11-02-2002, 04:41 PM

This are the other names I like and there meanings...

Bliss
Meaning: Gladness and joy

Jenna
Meaning: Arabic - A small bird

Jillian (Jilly Bean for short)
Meaning: Youthful

**ChewmonkeyBC** · 11-02-2002, 04:47 PM

Hey,
I have segestion....
U have one named Hope so what bout named Faith?and Joy?
Good luck and Congrats on your knew baby gurls!!!

Kay

FcR

**ChewmonkeyBC** · 11-02-2002, 04:49 PM

Originally posted by Aspen and Misty
This are the other names I like and there meanings...

Bliss
Meaning: Gladness and joy

I like Bliss.....

sry i didnt see these a whilie ago....

Kay

FcR

**Aspen and Misty** · 11-02-2002, 05:54 PM

Thanx...One of my girls (thie whitter one) has really bad diarhea. Anyone know why she might have it? Or what I need to do about it??

Thanx Ash

**ChewmonkeyBC** · 11-02-2002, 06:09 PM

Originally posted by Aspen and Misty
Thanx...One of my girls (thie whitter one) has really bad diarhea. Anyone know why she might have it?

Possibly because the change in food if her food is changed...but im not sure if it would happen that sudden.....Get well!!

Kay

FcR

**luckies4me** · 11-02-2002, 08:15 PM

Oh no! You said diarhea!

This can be caused be a few factors. First, if the rat has been fed too many fruits or vegetables, it could lead to diarhea.

Second... she could have SDA, which in case the other rat would have it too. SDA itself is relatively harmless. However it lowers the immune system allowing other types of infections, such as MYCO to invade the body causing rapid death. It has wiped out breeding colonies in less than a week. I had a case of SDA a few months ago and lost two rats. One last an eye. SDA is very highly contagious and spreds through the air. Petstore rats are very susceptible to SDA and MYCO because they are constanlty handled by new people and caged with other rats.

Signs of SDA nclude the following. Weight loss, dehydration from diahrea, swelling of the lympnodes (chipmunk cheeks) and throat, loss of appetite, and corneal cysts. The eyes will appear dry and porethyrin stained (looks like blood). Because they eyes are so dry the rat constantly rubs them. This causes corneal abrasions and nasty infections. You will need to use Terramycin ointment three times a day to prevent the loss of an eye.

Your rats problem can also be due to stress. All new rats shouldbe quarantined for a MINIMUM of three weeks before being introduced into an existing colony. SDA is airborn and clings to the hands and clothes. If possible keep the babies seperated from the others until their quarantine period is up. If your new rat has something and you have touched the others consider them now infected also. Most rats from petstores are sick. That is why it is safe to go to a breeder.

You need to make sure your rat recieves plenty of fluid. If you can buy some pedialyte or lactated ringer solution (your parents will know what this is) and give one teasespoon full every six hours that will insure your rat will not get dehydrated. Be prepared for the worst. Most rats who suffer from diahrea do not make it. Keep your other rats safe and do not introduce them yet! Wait til quarantine is up.

**luckies4me** · 11-02-2002, 08:21 PM

If your rattied do indeed make it the introduction should be easy. But again, make sure the babies are quarantined in a seperate room for a minimum of three weeks. It is advisable to keep them at a seperate house completely, such as a close fiends because SDA travels through the air. If you rats show any signs of SDA you need to report it to the RMFA asap. This is a very serious illness and others should be aware of it. But lets hope it is just the new home jitters.

The best time to introduce new rats is when they are babies. Rats are more likely to welcome new housemates if they are young. Females usually get along great and I have never had any problems introducing does. Bucks on the other... well that's another story. If youhave any more questions let me know. I would go further into detail about introductions but myhands are hurting!