Starting a family - Page 30

Nutcase · 14-06-2009, 16:14

Poor Mite

Garp · 14-06-2009, 18:19

Poor Nobby

They've got some hairless rats at the local pet store. I like rats, but hairless ones just look totally wrong!

Tak · 14-06-2009, 18:29

The cage I got was from someone who had hairless rats - it was the first time I'd touched one. They felt smooth but...rubbery? They were just as loving and friendly ("that one doesn't like other people and either hides or bites" moments later rat had wandered out onto my arm for cuddles and scritches). I personally am still not as enamoured as other people - I'd keep wanting to give them a coat. As a variety they are more prone to illnesses - their genetics just aren't very good

Knipples · 14-06-2009, 18:59

Sorry about Nobby.

Came home today and found my hamster Lewis dead, so its not a good day for furry ones going to that place in the sky

_dogma_ · 14-06-2009, 21:25

Poor Nobby

You'll love the Explorer but it can only hold 12 rats, IIRC, as the dimensions on the site include the stand.

Tak · 15-06-2009, 09:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by _dogma_

You'll love the Explorer but it can only hold 12 rats, IIRC, as the dimensions on the site include the stand.

TBH I only use the cage calculator as a rough guide now - I prefer to base it on how they look in the cage. I know of someone who had 16 in an explorer and said it didn't look "cramped" or "overfilled" at all. I'd never put more than 3 boys in a freddy yet that is meant to be ok for 4 boys/5 girls - I guess it all depends on how much cage "furniture" you put in and if the group get on.

Tak · 12-07-2009, 12:25

Yesterday I had a visit from Jayne who bought with her one blue boy (from the Hawkeye and Lily litter) who is named Gaspode. He is a 2 month old dinky gorgeous guy with a big personality already. It was a simple intro - some squeaks, some butt sniffing, a couple of tumbles and boffs around the head, but it all seems settled now.

Just for those of you keeping count that is now 7 boys living together in the explorer and Reg with Magrat and Esme in the tom cage

Garp · 13-07-2009, 03:57

That's some family you're growing there

Tak · 19-09-2009, 17:34

SDA Virus Info:

The symptoms of SDAV vary between rats, between strains of the virus, but they include:

* Sensitivity to light
* Sneezing
* Porphyrin staining
* Symptoms of secondary infections such as sneezing, chest noises, pneumonia
* Swellings around the neck.
* Bulging of eyes.
* Porphyrin staining, bleeding, or discolouration of tissue around the eyes in some cases
* Deaths in the rattery

SDAV is a highly contagious virus, alone it is not fatal but it weakens the immune system allowing secondary infections to take hold and often kill the rat.

The disease is spread through contact with food, bedding, cages, cage accessories, carriers, human skin, clothing and other objects used or touched by infected rats.
The virus may possibly so be carried in the mucous membranes of humans which can contribute to the spread of this illness. It can survive up to 2 days away from it's host.

Rats will begin to show symptoms as early as 5 days but as late as two weeks, symptoms of secondary infections may show sooner or later depending on the infection. It it important to note that not all rats infected with SDAV will show symptoms.

There is no treatment for SDAV itself and, actually, this is not needed.
However, aggressive blanket treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics at the maximum possible doses for 3-4 weeks should be given to reduce the number of deaths in your group or rattery. Topical eye treatments are helpful to increase the rats' comfort.

Keep affected rats clean, warm and away from bright lighting. Provide extra fluid (offer Dr Squiggles or herbal teas to encourage extra fluid intake) and nutritional support (offer tasty, high calorie food and consider giving the brown rice booster.)

Treatments are mostly supportive and include blanket treatment with soluble asprin in the drinking water for all affected rats to reduce fever and pain (1 tablet in 2 pints), children's Sudafed, bathing the eyes of affected rats with mild saline, abs for the worst affected to help prevent myco, fluid replacement for the worst affected.
Very sick rats will need nursing care if they are to stand a chance. A spot of brandy in sweetened milk can work wonders.

If you get this infection in your rats, then avoid all contact with other rats or rat owners for 6-8 weeks after the last rat became infected. It is recommended not to try to quarantine within your own rats as this is complicated and often only prolongs the outbreak.
With prompt and adequate antibiotic treatment most rats will survive this.

We have unfortunately picked this up - all the boys are unwell and there is a very high chance the girls are infected as it is very contagious.
Any good thoughts or prayers are needed and welcome, not only for my guys but a few friends also have rats with it.

Haly · 19-09-2009, 17:35

Hope they all recover ok.

14-06-2009, 18:19	#292
Garp Preparing more tumbleweed Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Hawaii Posts: 6,038	Poor Nobby They've got some hairless rats at the local pet store. I like rats, but hairless ones just look totally wrong! __________________ Mal: Define "interesting"? Wash: "Oh, God, oh, God, we're all gonna die"?

14-06-2009, 18:29	#293
Tak L'Oréal Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 9,977	The cage I got was from someone who had hairless rats - it was the first time I'd touched one. They felt smooth but...rubbery? They were just as loving and friendly ("that one doesn't like other people and either hides or bites" moments later rat had wandered out onto my arm for cuddles and scritches). I personally am still not as enamoured as other people - I'd keep wanting to give them a coat. As a variety they are more prone to illnesses - their genetics just aren't very good __________________ The look on your face when a toddler rips out your heart and shows it to you? Priceless.... For everything else, there's FWOOSH!

14-06-2009, 21:25	#295
_dogma_ Long Island Iced Tea Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kirkcaldy, Fife. Posts: 278	Poor Nobby You'll love the Explorer but it can only hold 12 rats, IIRC, as the dimensions on the site include the stand. __________________

12-07-2009, 12:25	#297
Tak L'Oréal Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 9,977	Yesterday I had a visit from Jayne who bought with her one blue boy (from the Hawkeye and Lily litter) who is named Gaspode. He is a 2 month old dinky gorgeous guy with a big personality already. It was a simple intro - some squeaks, some butt sniffing, a couple of tumbles and boffs around the head, but it all seems settled now. Just for those of you keeping count that is now 7 boys living together in the explorer and Reg with Magrat and Esme in the tom cage __________________ The look on your face when a toddler rips out your heart and shows it to you? Priceless.... For everything else, there's FWOOSH!

13-07-2009, 03:57	#298
Garp Preparing more tumbleweed Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Hawaii Posts: 6,038	That's some family you're growing there __________________ Mal: Define "interesting"? Wash: "Oh, God, oh, God, we're all gonna die"?

14-06-2009, 16:14	#291
Nutcase Moonshine Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chelmsford, innit! Posts: 3,979	Poor Mite

19-09-2009, 17:34	#299
Tak L'Oréal Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 9,977	SDA Virus Info: The symptoms of SDAV vary between rats, between strains of the virus, but they include: * Sensitivity to light * Sneezing * Porphyrin staining * Symptoms of secondary infections such as sneezing, chest noises, pneumonia * Swellings around the neck. * Bulging of eyes. * Porphyrin staining, bleeding, or discolouration of tissue around the eyes in some cases * Deaths in the rattery SDAV is a highly contagious virus, alone it is not fatal but it weakens the immune system allowing secondary infections to take hold and often kill the rat. The disease is spread through contact with food, bedding, cages, cage accessories, carriers, human skin, clothing and other objects used or touched by infected rats. The virus may possibly so be carried in the mucous membranes of humans which can contribute to the spread of this illness. It can survive up to 2 days away from it's host. Rats will begin to show symptoms as early as 5 days but as late as two weeks, symptoms of secondary infections may show sooner or later depending on the infection. It it important to note that not all rats infected with SDAV will show symptoms. There is no treatment for SDAV itself and, actually, this is not needed. However, aggressive blanket treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics at the maximum possible doses for 3-4 weeks should be given to reduce the number of deaths in your group or rattery. Topical eye treatments are helpful to increase the rats' comfort. Keep affected rats clean, warm and away from bright lighting. Provide extra fluid (offer Dr Squiggles or herbal teas to encourage extra fluid intake) and nutritional support (offer tasty, high calorie food and consider giving the brown rice booster.) Treatments are mostly supportive and include blanket treatment with soluble asprin in the drinking water for all affected rats to reduce fever and pain (1 tablet in 2 pints), children's Sudafed, bathing the eyes of affected rats with mild saline, abs for the worst affected to help prevent myco, fluid replacement for the worst affected. Very sick rats will need nursing care if they are to stand a chance. A spot of brandy in sweetened milk can work wonders. If you get this infection in your rats, then avoid all contact with other rats or rat owners for 6-8 weeks after the last rat became infected. It is recommended not to try to quarantine within your own rats as this is complicated and often only prolongs the outbreak. With prompt and adequate antibiotic treatment most rats will survive this. We have unfortunately picked this up - all the boys are unwell and there is a very high chance the girls are infected as it is very contagious. Any good thoughts or prayers are needed and welcome, not only for my guys but a few friends also have rats with it. __________________ The look on your face when a toddler rips out your heart and shows it to you? Priceless.... For everything else, there's FWOOSH!

19-09-2009, 17:35	#300
Haly Do you want to hide in my box? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 14,941	Hope they all recover ok. __________________ Halycopter