[cjshrader]

I've been wondering about this for a while.

In my quest to find a new vet that would become "my" vet, I've decided this vet is probably the best. And the cheapest. So a good combination. However I'd like to get everyone else's opinion on her as well before I make sure she's the one I go to.

I have five rats, Poopsmith, Jordan, Daisy, Ratlas Shrugged, and Blanche. Jordan and Daisy are recent (past few months) adoptions from a girl who kept them in too small a cage and probably didn't take the best of care of them, especially of Jordan.

The first trip was because Poopsmith was missing a patch of fur on her face and it had scabs on it, so I suspected it may be mites. Jordan's teeth were too long, but I didn't know that so I brought her in for a checkup. Her teeth were trimmed and both were put on antibiotics. Poopsmith was deemed otherwise healthy - $97.40

The second trip was a followup to the first for Poopsmith and Jordan. It is here that some "knits" or "nits" were discovered on Jordan. Both rats were injected with something and then told to be segregated and their cage cleaned every day. I had to bring the other three in to get checked out in a week. - $67.50

Ratlas, Daisy, and Blanche were brought in. It turned out that Daisy had some knits on her, and all three were injected. Same routine for them, cage cleaned every day. - $125.25

The final followup for Poopsmith and Jordan had them getting injected one more time, but knit free. Jordan's teeth were also trimmed again. - $67.50

The final followup for the other three should happen on Friday. It should cost $101.25.

I have never actually *seen* any lice in my room, but a couple rats definitely did develop some scabs under their fur. So I have a few questions.

1. If there were lice, shouldn't I have seen them?

2. Shouldn't the vet have just recommend some form of cream or shampoo that I hear others on the forum suggesting? Seems to me like that would have been loads cheaper.

3. The total cost here (And I'm including the first trip, because I feel they should have discovered the lice then) was $458.90. Is this reasonable to treat 5 rats for lice? Seems a bit steep to me! (The teeth trimming costs were only $8. She didn't charge me the second time)

There are loads of other vets I could try, but they would have a higher checkup fee. But I wonder if they would be cheaper on the meds or something. Or maybe give some better advice.

Any thoughts? Should I stick with her as my vet? (I can probably give more itemized costs if wanted)

 

[cjshrader]

Re: Was my vet correct about lice (And should I stick with h

I'm sorry to bump my own post here, but due to desperation to get Jordan's teeth trimmed I'll be going back to this vet today and need to decide whether or not I should continue. Because I still don't know. I will be going back to her to get the teeth trimmed because I just can't beat that price, but for other services I'm not sure.

Since I made this post, I've done a ton more research on vets that treat rats and really there are only two. They each charge about $60 for a checkup, and teeth trimming is around $20.

Also, the vet I was going to recommended I use a dusty pesticide to treat any remaining lice on the rats. Which I have not done because I do not agree with the treatment.

So my question is, do I stick with this vet and give her another shot and speak up a little more when I don't like a treatment, or maybe trust her advice as she is a vet? Or go searching for a much more expensive vet? I'm not really sure how to proceed.

 

[Forensic]

Re: Was my vet correct about lice (And should I stick with h

Cream or shampoo can be rather hit or miss. The vet's injecting Invermectin, which can work, but involves a lot of work outside the medicine. Perhaps you could request Revolution if it hasn't cleared up. That's one drop per rat, so you may get that out of one tube.

If they were lice you may have seen them, but the scabbing indicates something there... Invermectin treats all of them, as far as I'm aware... so it was still an appropriate treatment. Dusts are not, of course

 

[lilspaz68]

Re: Was my vet correct about lice (And should I stick with h

Hmmm...I wish you could've known before you went to your vet. I tell everyone to NOT let their vet give Ivermectin injections. They are usually ineffective and can be very expensive, especially doing it 3 times every week.

Nits are the lice eggs that she says she saw. Lice have a 3 week lifecycle and Ivermectin is only effective for 1 week that is why you have to dose 3 times. It kills the adults when they hatch. Revolution which would've been a lot less overall is one drop and they are covered against ecto-parasites (external) for a month which is longer than the life cycle of the buggies.

Lice are usually visible but some rats don't have many. I tell people to treat if they are not sure. Mites are generally microscopic but you can tell by the symptoms if its mites (patchy fur, itchy rats, scabs on shoulders, chin, face and neck).

Your rats teeth, were they mallocluded? Were they uneven and they didnt' line up properly so they would grind each other down normally? Some not as experienced vets will trim teeth when they are "too long" but they really are just fine.

Back to your buggies. You can clean the cage once a week (scrub down, bleach, vacuum floor in a 12' radius from the cage or any areas they may play in, etc) AFTER their treatment.
If one rat has been diagnosed with mites/lice you do not have to separate but you do need to treat ALL your rats at that time. Not wait. So if the teeth were mallocluded, she might be okay, but if they just looked too long for the vet, I would try another vet just in case.

 

[cjshrader]

Re: Was my vet correct about lice (And should I stick with h

Forensic: The Invermectin did not work however. And my concern is that Revolution should have been an easy solution, so why didn't she recommend it? And then of course my other concern is this recommendation of Sevin Dust.

lilspaz: Yes, her teeth are mallocluded. The right top tooth does meet with the bottom left tooth, so those do wear down naturally, but the other two grow very long every two weeks where she is no longer able to eat normally, so they will need to be clipped.

As I'm taking her back for her teeth trimming later today, I'm going to ask about Revolution. If she isn't willing to listen to my suggestion, then I may keep going to her for teeth trimmings but will find another vet for any other issues. I've spent most of today calling vets trying to find one with decent prices that takes rats, and though none are as cheap as the vet I'm currently going to (Especially for teeth trimming), I may just have to pay a little extra for someone I can trust.

This is currently my second or third vet, depending on whether or not you count the emergency clinic. Maybe I'm being too picky.

 

[Poppyseed]

Re: Was my vet correct about lice (And should I stick with h

I think revolution might be a new thing that isn't medically proven for rats yet (correct me if I'm wrong) so she may not of known about it. Rats are very small sensitive creatures, if her text books don't say revolution is safe and she's not 100% sure and you don't ask her for it she's going to go for what she has been taught is safe and effective.

As for the teeth shouldn't you just be charged a follow up visit? Or perhaps you can get a vet tech to do it or something and just charged for the teeth trimmed? I think if they are not weighing, checking vitals, getting a case history of how the rat is doing you shouldn't be charged a vet check fee because there is no vet check. A follow up fee would suffice, I would ask about that or ask if a vet fee is even necessary for such a simple thing.

You can get the revolution online as well >_> Get the mauve kitten stuff.

 

[lilspaz68]

Re: Was my vet correct about lice (And should I stick with h

Actually there aren't any medications that are strictly made for rats. Its all off-label for them.

IF you want to teach your vet you can print off this page of the Ratguide and let her/him see it.

http://ratguide.com/meds/antiinfectives/selamectin_revolution.php

Or you can order it from www.canadavet.com or I believe petshed.com without a prescription.

Sad to say, but glad to hear the teeth were mallocluded, there's hope yet for this one if she is willing to learn.

 

[cjshrader]

Re: Was my vet correct about lice (And should I stick with h

Poppyseed: You were spot on. When the vet and I talked about it, she said she didn't suggest it because though only information she has about it is anecdotal and there haven't been any real tests. But she also said she's write me a prescription if I so desired, and totally understood my concerns about using the Sevin Dust (And very nicely explained why she thought it was a good idea).

The teeth charge is only $8. That's just a charge for trimming teeth. If she has to be sedated (Which she did), it's an additional $25, but hopefully she won't have to be each time.

Also, I ordered the pink kind for puppies and kittens. Did I get the wrong kind?

Actually, the willingness she had to listen really turned me back on to this vet. I'm much happier with her now and feel a lot better about the whole thing. I just hope she doesn't let the vet techs trim Jordan's teeth again, because she can do it a lot faster and less stressful on poor Jordan.

 

[Forensic]

Re: Was my vet correct about lice (And should I stick with h

I think the puppy/kitten kind is the kind to get.

I'm glad you're feeling better about your vet.

 

[deercreekrattery]

Re: Was my vet correct about lice (And should I stick with h

If you ever need a good treatment for lice and mites on rodents, you can use the Marshall Ferret Flea and Tick Spray. It can be sprayed onto rats and mice and it works beautifully.
You can also use the 8 in 1 Pro Ultra-Care Mite and Lice Bird Spray on clean bedding to keep mites and lice away. Just make sure it dries completely before adding rats.
For carpet, you can use the Enforcer Flea Killer powder. You just spread it on the carpet, let it sit for an hour and vacuum up. It smells like cinnamon and works really well. It can be used with rats in the room, but don't let them touch it.

 

[Forensic]

Re: Was my vet correct about lice (And should I stick with h

Sprays are generally not recommended for rats due to their sensitive respiratory systems.