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As one of the top experts here at allexperts for 2008, I am happy to be able to help advise others on the proper care of pet rats. I am a rat care specialist/advisor for area vets ( I am NOT a Veterinarian nor do I imply that I am in any way) and have 20 plus years experience working with rodents. I can advise you on the most current treatments available to your rat for common and also complicated ailments that seem to affect domestic rats during their life time. I do telephone consults and have even had some wonderful Vets call me to compare notes/stories. I also have training in animal behavior with the main focus being the study of rodent behavior. I also have experience with wild rats, raising one myself.
My expertise Includes the following: 1. Education on prevention of tumors, lung and heart disease and disease of the kidneys too. 2. Up to date treatments for tumors in rats,both benign or malignant tumors. 3. The most current treatments used successfully to treat lung and heart disease 4. Prevention and treatment of the mycoplasma organism that our rats are plagued with since the day they are born, among other common ailments that attack our rats, just to name a few. My job as a rodent consultant is to educate the owner on proper care of the animal but in no way does my advice take the place of seeking professional treatment by a qualified Veterinarian. However, I will contribute to this site by answering your questions about raising pet rats and any problems that may arise regarding their health, diet, husbandry and over all well being of the rat to **the best of my ability.**
I maintain my website, Critter City and update it often to keep up with current treatments concerning pet rat health care. Please click the link above to take you there!

My own website of course, and also I have brochures on rat care that are found in various animal clinics in my area. I have also written an article for a rat and mouse magazine focusing on surgery on rats. The magazine is a UK based magazine.

Was honored by being chosen to be one of the top 50 experts of 2008
My past clients have been through various animal clinics and I also am mentor to new rat owners that reach me through here and my website too.
I am happy to be here to help rat owners better understand their pet rat,from behavior to health issues and anything in between.
Teach others that rats need medical attention from a vet eventually and as nice as that would be, no home remedies really work on rats. The rat may be small and inexpensive to buy, that does not mean they are not worthy of medical attention.
PLEASE NOTE: IF YOUR RAT IS OBVIOUSLY ILL AND YOU CANNOT AFFORD A VET, PLEASE DO NOT WRITE AND ASK WHAT I CAN DO TO HELP. YOUR RAT NEEDS MEDICATION AND NOTHING I CAN TELL YOU WILL CHANGE THAT. I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THIS ECONOMY IS TERRIBLE. MANY PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS.LETS TRY HARD, PERHAPS THE VETS ALSO UNDERSTAND AND WILL WORK WITH US ALLOWING US TO MAKE PAYMENTS. IT DOESNT HURT TO ASK.
What makes you think it was a stroke? How long has she been on metacam? trash that stuff before it destroys her kidneys. She needs steroids. Is she unable to grasp and hold food? Check
You can contact the Virginia State board of Veterinary medicine and file a formal complaint. You have not one but several complaints. They are pretty good about following up on this sort of stuff. I
I am so glad things worked out. I also wrote to you on another message. Sounds like the tumors were necrotic, which is what occurs when the blood suppy runs out. They abscess, which is very bad.
I think I already kind of answered you from last time....as far as care for the rats go. Are they in a cage with the bar spacing close together? You can read up on my website at Sandyscrittercity
Its possible that its genetic, and with rats especially. It is, however, more common in females (between the age of 14 and 24 months) than males, although males DO get them but its just not as common
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