Critter City

By Sandra Conti of Allexperts.com

A Doctor for your rats!




A Doctor for your rats!!


It is very important to have a good Vet to treat your rat. 

The vet should also have a special place to keep your rat overnight if needed or a place to take them, such as a specialty clinic or ER that has a set up
for oxygen in a climate controlled enclosure and should also have the knowledge and experience
 to diagnose and treat common and not so common ailments that plaque our rats.

These vets are often avian/exotic vets that have extended their education to learn more about animal
health and offer the best medical and surgical care for owners of mammals other than the traditional pet (dogs/cats).


                                                                                                                                                               
 These vets are required to pass a specialty board in order to have the privlege of the title EXOTIC  MAMMAL VETERINARIAN.
Some vets are that are not certified exotic vets have taken what is also called "a special interest" in exotic medicine
 and some are able to offer very good care as well.   Unfortunately, there are not
very many of these vets and some people are forced to settle for someone that is less than qualified to see rats
but will still try to treat the small mammal and consult an exotic vet for support during treatment.  Because of the lack of
Vets in this world (I am not being overly dramatic here!!) it is VITAL for the rat owner to educate themselves as much as possible
so they are able to understand if the vet is on the right track or not. Sounds a bit unnerving but it is true.
*******************************************************************************




Make note of an ER pet clinic that is open 24 hours a day and be sure to confirm that they treat pet rats and are able to handle an emergency situation at all times. Some ER clinics do offer pet rat care but often there is only one vet that sees rats and they may need to call him/her at home and have them come in especially to see your rat.  This is fine as long as the vet will be there by the time you arrive at the clinic (or within a reasonable amount of time) and also make sure that there are people there that can get your rat stable while waiting for the vet to arrive. What I mean by that is if your rat is having trouble breathing, they should be able to get your rat in an isolette with oxygen piped in so the rat can be treated for respiratory distress while waiting for the vet to come to examine him/her. Also, if your rat is injured and bleeding, make sure that someone is there that will be able to apply pressure in the areas needed to stop the bleeding (this would also be good for the pet owner to know as well) 
Since rats decline fast once they show signs of illness, it is a good idea that you have someone to take the rat to instead of wasting precious time trying to locate a vet that will treat rats and other small animals!    

 
   

                                                                                                        





Small scaled implements

One reason it is important to see a vet that is well versed in small mammals is because of the properly sized implements they have for the smaller mammals. Keep in mind if the vet states they are small animal vets this means dogs/cats and not horses etc... this doesnt pertain to rodents, reptiles or avian vets. Often they use the word POCKET PET which is pretty frowned on in the exotic vet world. Pocket pets almost make it sound as if the animal is cheap and replacable and almost not worth spending money on since they are temporary pets with short life spans. In fact, calling a rat a pocket pet is almost insulting if you think about it! The proper term is small mammal or exotic pet. Period.

Anyhow, the last thing you want is for your rat to have something used on them that isnt meant for their small size. An exotic vet or one that is serious about treating small mammals will have on hand the proper implements starting with the proper enclosures needed for respiratory distress. These cages are enclosed and are used to nebulize the small mammal and also have oxygen piped in. The temperature is controlled at all times.

Note the glass enclosures on the far top right.





Another ICU enclosure, models vary.

Small mammal scale

Clear induction chamber used for anesthesia or O2 for small mamals.



To the right: Rodent anesthesia work station
To the left: Small mammal doppler system




To the right: Rat pack emergency supply kit
To the left: rodent dental tools


These are just a few examples of properly sized implements that are very important to the proper care your small rat receives from their Vet!