Joined
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11 Posts
Hi all,
I haven't posted on the "hi, i'm new" board cause I don't have any really good pictures of my little darlings uploaded yet.
(let me just say, I have had rats before.. 2 were gotten at the same time, the other two were only children during their lifetime)
So, While i knew that pine/cedar isn't good for them, and explained to my husband when we got our first rat together, Merlin, (R.I.P) , He picked up pine/cedar when he surprised me with my new baby, Luke, one day after work.
"The pet store said these shavings were fine." he insisted. (pfft, what do they know?) I told him we needed to get paper-based.. I'd used Yesterday's News for my babies after I learned of the toxic-ness. (Luke came from a friend who likes to breed her ratties...She always has homes lined up for them, but no vet..) My guy said we'd use up the pine/cedar mix till it was gone.. small bag, then get the pulp stuff.
Luke was lonely. After lining up 10, count-em, 10, potential homes, as well as a couple backups in case they back out.. plus we have the room for at least 3 more.. so no hating.. we purchased a Siamese-ish female from the local pet store. Love at first sight. Lylith is almost 4 months, and Luke is 6 months. They're the best of friends.
Which brings me to Minnie.
I was at the reptile store.. who go through 300+ feeder rats a week, when My friend Traci and I looked in the rat tank. I pointed to one and told her it was a rex. She immediately bought it. I spotted a baby dumbo in there, sucking on its foot and looking quite content.
So I bought it.
I didn't QT, cause I didn't know.. I was very new at the introducing new rats to each other deal, but I kept her with me for a couple hours before putting her in with the others.. she's only about 4 weeks. I listened for sneezing, rattling, ANYTHING that seemed off. She was fine. I gave her some baby pablum, and she loved it. she picked up a piece of dog food and nibbled away.
So I introduced her into my tank. At this point Luke was getting rough with Lylith, so I got another cage and moved him in. (Lylith gives me a heart attack at least once a day, escaping and running all around trying to get in with Luke. She also cuddles the baby and carries it like its hers)
Over the past 3 days(have had her for 8 days), Minnie, the baby, had been very vocal when I pick her up. She grinded her teeth, gave some odd chirps and squeaks, and a few little sneezes. I'm really worried. I plan on taking her to a vet... if I can find one in the area who deals with Rats, but I won't have the money to do this until next week, when hubby gets paid. Even then I'll be scrimping, because we have to move.
Tonight I replaced all the wood shavings.. Luke's cage too... with shredded toilet paper and small... and i mean small.. area's of alfalfa (the baby isn't interested in it...Lyl just plays in it) an hour later I picked up Minnie and, while still grinding her teeth and a couple little squeaks, no more sneezing.
The only time Luke has sneezed is when I cleaned his cage two days ago. Lyl hasn't in the time I've had her.
Is there any more preventative measures I can take to help her out?
Any other advice?
And whats the going rate in Ontario, Canada for a Spay/Neuter?
Apologies for being so long-winded.
I haven't posted on the "hi, i'm new" board cause I don't have any really good pictures of my little darlings uploaded yet.
(let me just say, I have had rats before.. 2 were gotten at the same time, the other two were only children during their lifetime)
So, While i knew that pine/cedar isn't good for them, and explained to my husband when we got our first rat together, Merlin, (R.I.P) , He picked up pine/cedar when he surprised me with my new baby, Luke, one day after work.
"The pet store said these shavings were fine." he insisted. (pfft, what do they know?) I told him we needed to get paper-based.. I'd used Yesterday's News for my babies after I learned of the toxic-ness. (Luke came from a friend who likes to breed her ratties...She always has homes lined up for them, but no vet..) My guy said we'd use up the pine/cedar mix till it was gone.. small bag, then get the pulp stuff.
Luke was lonely. After lining up 10, count-em, 10, potential homes, as well as a couple backups in case they back out.. plus we have the room for at least 3 more.. so no hating.. we purchased a Siamese-ish female from the local pet store. Love at first sight. Lylith is almost 4 months, and Luke is 6 months. They're the best of friends.
Which brings me to Minnie.
I was at the reptile store.. who go through 300+ feeder rats a week, when My friend Traci and I looked in the rat tank. I pointed to one and told her it was a rex. She immediately bought it. I spotted a baby dumbo in there, sucking on its foot and looking quite content.
So I bought it.
I didn't QT, cause I didn't know.. I was very new at the introducing new rats to each other deal, but I kept her with me for a couple hours before putting her in with the others.. she's only about 4 weeks. I listened for sneezing, rattling, ANYTHING that seemed off. She was fine. I gave her some baby pablum, and she loved it. she picked up a piece of dog food and nibbled away.
So I introduced her into my tank. At this point Luke was getting rough with Lylith, so I got another cage and moved him in. (Lylith gives me a heart attack at least once a day, escaping and running all around trying to get in with Luke. She also cuddles the baby and carries it like its hers)
Over the past 3 days(have had her for 8 days), Minnie, the baby, had been very vocal when I pick her up. She grinded her teeth, gave some odd chirps and squeaks, and a few little sneezes. I'm really worried. I plan on taking her to a vet... if I can find one in the area who deals with Rats, but I won't have the money to do this until next week, when hubby gets paid. Even then I'll be scrimping, because we have to move.
Tonight I replaced all the wood shavings.. Luke's cage too... with shredded toilet paper and small... and i mean small.. area's of alfalfa (the baby isn't interested in it...Lyl just plays in it) an hour later I picked up Minnie and, while still grinding her teeth and a couple little squeaks, no more sneezing.
The only time Luke has sneezed is when I cleaned his cage two days ago. Lyl hasn't in the time I've had her.
Is there any more preventative measures I can take to help her out?
Any other advice?
And whats the going rate in Ontario, Canada for a Spay/Neuter?
Apologies for being so long-winded.
