You are here:

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.

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.
Shine a flashlight in her eyes. If the pupils respond, she is fine. Sudden blindness without physical evidence such as cataracts can be caused by some illnesses or neurological disorder. I would
Hi You do not need to put your rat to sleep if he has a tumor on his belly. The Vet can remove it easily in most cases. Also, rats can live with tumors for a very long time. There is no need to unless
I dont think its a PT to be honest. If she can use her forlimbs, chews ok, isnt spinning or walking in circles etc.... it sounds more like hind leg paralysis. Her lack of appetite to be attributed to
Yes even if they bit you, nothing will happen. I promise. The only way for a mammal to contract rabies is to be bitten by a rabid animal. They have not had any contact with any animals obviously
Why not keep them? No I am not nuts....because chances are they will live a few months once released and die anyhow. Wild rats life span is no more than 3 to 6 months anyhow, due to predators mostly
Answers by Expert:

©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.