[Brain]

Ok, well if you read in my other page somewhere that two new rats I got have URI, I believe, cough and sneeze, I called the person I got them from and they said to bring them back in for medication and gave me the number of their vet for more meds if needed, so I'm going to go do that tomorrow or Monday.

But today my mother was in a pet store, saw a cute little tan and white rat and got it for me. Not only do I have two sick rats with me but I don't have another cage! I do, but its old, rust EVERYWHERE, no bottom to it, so I don't know what to do. The poor dear is so scared, she doesn't want to come out of her free travel box they gave me, pee and poo everywhere in there, and I got her out and she didn't bite but peed and pooed on me.

I washed the cage down and dried it, I found a lid to use as a bottom put something heavy on the top so she cant try to escape if she ever comes out of her box, put carefresh, food and attached a water bottle and I just.hope she is fine. SOOO cute, but SOO scared, I hope she isn't emotionally scarred for the rest of her life. I have a few questions.

Im still finishing up on making their Grotto, taking longer then thought it would.

1. When can I introduce the new rat to the other two?
2. Is URI contagious?
3. Will she be emotionally scarred for the rest of her life because of what she has gone through?
4. Should I keep her in the cage I put together or what? I could put her in the cage with the other two but they are sick, I don't know if she can catch it and because she is so scared I'm worried introduction will kill her of a heart attack of something. They are all very young, about 7-8 weeks old.

I feel so sorry for her. :[[

 

[Stephanie]

its old, rust EVERYWHERE, no bottom to it, so I don't know what to do.

Don't use that eeew!!

1. When can I introduce the new rat to the other two?

three week quarintine AFTER ALL SYPMTOMS of the URI are gone

2. Is URI contagious?

yes definitely!

3. Will she be emotionally scarred for the rest of her life because of what she has gone through?

probably not

4. Should I keep her in the cage I put together or what? I could put her in the cage with the other two but they are sick, I don't know if she can catch it and because she is so scared I'm worried introduction will kill her of a heart attack of something. They are all very young, about 7-8 weeks old.

honestly i would take her back to the pet store and let her find a home that does not have other sick rats unless she has already been exposed to your rats then you are in for a lot of fun you need to get a better cage to keep her in but do not put her in with the other girls!

 

[Brain]

its old, rust EVERYWHERE, no bottom to it, so I don't know what to do.

Don't use that eeew!!

>---- Its the only thing I have, I dont wanna use it either but its only for the night.


honestly i would take her back to the pet store

---> At 12 in the morning, I think not. :\

and let her find a home that does not have other sick rats unless she has already been exposed to your rats

---> No, i haven't exposed her to the other girls.

you need to get a better cage to keep her in but do not put her in with the other girls!

---> Im getting her a proper cage tomorrow morning. I put down some fleece on the wire cage for her. So hopefully shell be fine for the night and stay on the bottom floor where the fluff is.

 

[Stephanie]

for the night is ok didn't realize what time it was there sorry LOL you can also look into sanding that one down really well and then painting it with a pet saafe paint problem being that you have to wait like five days to use it again but it would make a good quarrintine cage then. and as far as the bottom of it goes you can find plastic tubs that might work for it and then use those tiny bungie cords! I really didn't mean to come off soundy harsh in my last post I apologize if it came across the wrong way. Hope everything goes well with your new girl!

 

[Sky14]

I know you don't want to make the new girl sick but you should keep her! If you take her back she could get so afraid that she might start biting and then she'll end up a feeder.... I've seen it happen!!

But this is just my opinion do what you want.

 

[Brain]

I'm still confused in what to do. The two females I have are ever so sweet, I wish they weren't sick so I could try and socialize the new lady with them. She has stopped freezing when I pet her and now just runs away. She is fine if I sit there still or lay in my bed, she will clean herself do normal rat stuff, kinda check the cage out but if I make one move, its freeze, hide in corner of whatever shelf she is on and thats it. I tried giving her some apple bits but she wouldn't take them at all. Shes so scared. :[ i haven't had a rat before that was too scared to wanna come out and have fun. Anyone know of any ways to get them to not be scared, she doesn't bite, so I don't need stop biting, but start feeling safe? I feel rejected almost.
I decided to name her Alice.

 

[Lesath]

Maybe some forced solicalization? Pick her up and don't set her back down for at least 20 minutes. If you do that everyday you should start seeing results really soon. Good luck!

 

[Stephanie]

Honestly she is so new to you that it just sounds like normal new home nervousness. It is a good sign that she is grooming herself around you though it means she is starting to get comfortable. Give it some time. Also you said you let her out on your bed do you let your other rats out there too if so you have already broken quarintine and you may want to start intro's and start treating her the smae as you are treating your other girls. That way she may open up a bit.

As far as them being all on the bed just a little piece of info here if what your girls have is a virus please know that viruses such as SDA can live on clothing, skin and other surfaces for three hours if she has been where the other girls have been within thre hours chances are she has it too.

 

[Brain]

Maybe some forced solicalization? Pick her up and don't set her back down for at least 20 minutes. If you do that everyday you should start seeing results really soon. Good luck!

She pees on me and tries to run away. I don't mind, as long as she doesn't bite.

And Stephanie, no no, I lay on my bed, not her and I have never kept them near each other. I remember to clean my hands really good if I even think about touching the other rats later in the day. I'm very paranoid about this URI, and I don't want there to be any chances.

Also with the two other girls, the one smaller one loves to come out and chatter those teeth and now the less happy one, is wanting to come out. I guess monkey see monkey want to do!

 

[ratastic]

The book on keeping rats says to put the rat on a empty table, a tall table so they can't jump down or to another object. Then sit and it's you and the rat. Slowly put your arms on the table and lure her with toys or treats. Do this til she isn't afraid of you anymore.

 

[Sky14]

If you do that put pillows and blankets around the table just incase she jumps. Because then her fall will be softend and less likely to end with an enjury be it external or internal.

 

[Stephanie]

Sounds liek you have everything you need now all you have to do is wait and be patient! are the girls all in the same room? Sorry if you already said but i am lazy tonight LoL You are doing such a good job with everything I am sure that once intro's start and everything goes smoothly she will open up and be just a normal yogie loving ratty LoL! Keep up the great work!

 

[Sky14]

Ditto!