Originally posted by YellowLabLover
Nope, I have never had a pine bag in my house. I used to use aspen shavings, but we were paying $18.00 a bag for it, and to top that off, the rats would fling it out if the cage- making quite a mess. Now we use $3.00 pellets for the big girls, and I am using $ 5.00 corn cob bedding right now for the little dumbos. We usually bounce around to what type of bedding we buy, but we have never bought a bag of pine or cedar . I do wish we could buy a bag of pine or cedar, because it smells *so* good to me, but obviously my childrens health comes first.

I am glad your mom took my advice and started using the wod stove pellets. However just a word of caution on corn cob bedding. Some rats eat it and it can cause impactions and death. I would advise against using that stuff, the would be fine on the pellets.

Older rats can indeed have heart problems, especially rats who were bred for health in mind. Most breeders including myself breed only rats who have no health problems and keep a few babies from litters until they cross rainbow bridge in order to keep track of the "healthiness" of the lines. It's just a fact of the ratty life.

Tumours are also very common and another trait we breeders are trying to breed out of the fancy. Tumours can be easily removed. Most likely it is a mammary tumour, even though it is located on the neck the mammary tissue goes very high up there, you wouldn't believe it. Just hope it's not cancerous and that surgery can remove it. There is a product onthe market which slows the growth of tumours and also protects the rat from getting another one. You can also feed your rats pine nuts which have anti cancer agents in it. My rats get this in their mix daily. THey are very high in fat though and only a few a day is enough.

You haven't had a case of strep throat lately have you? Strep throat is highly contagious to rats and can lead to death if not treated asap. May I ask what type of antibiotics the vet prescribed. I would recommend Baytril for older rats, this is the best antibiotic for respiratory problems in rats. Tetracycline is good also along with Amoxi drops, however a case of pneumonia should call for Baytril. I always keep a supply of tetracycline on hand inthe rattery and treat all new rats with it and treat any sign of respiratory illness with it right away. To ease their symptoms you can put them in the bathroom and let it steam by turning onthe hot water in the bathtub. This has been known to actually save a few rats lives and dramatically reduces the raspiness.


Another note on feeding though if I haven't mentioned it before. Kaytee rat food contains cancer causing agents int he food so be advised not to feed that stuff.