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Sandra Conti-Todd

U.S.
Available
Expertise

NOTE: Due to the Holidays,there may be a short delay in receiving answers as fast as I usually do.However,any emergency question should be addressed by writing EMERGENCY in the subject line.If I read it and see its not an emergency at all but just a way to get my attention first,I will reject your question and you will not get answered at all.Any life or death situation, of course,should be handled by a qualified Vet.To request a telephone consultation, please email sandyscrittercity@yahoo.com. in order to schedule a date and time that is feasible for both of us. There is no time limit on weekends or after 9 pm M-F or if your cell phone carrier is Verizon Wireless.There is no charge for a telephone consultation. I offer my advice free of charge since my goal is to simply keep your rats happy and healthy for as long as possible. My reward is knowing that people learning as much as they can on rat care in order to provide the best care possible. Thats all I need to know. You cant put a price tag on love:) 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 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.

Experience in the area

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.**

Organizations

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!

Publications

My own website of course, and also I have brochures on rat care that are found in various animal clinics in my area.

Education/Credentials

Mentored by highly noted exotic specialists in my area.
I am a member of the ASPCA.

Awards and Honors

Was honored by being chosen to be one of the top 50 experts of 2008

Past/Present Clients

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.

What do you like about this subject?

I am happy to be here to help rat owners better understand their pet rat,from behavior to health issues and anything in between.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

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.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

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.

Average Ratings

Recent Answers from Sandra Conti-Todd

2010-02-08 Sudden Blindness:

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

2010-02-08 please help me:

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

2010-02-08 Wanda possible pituitary tumor?:

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

2010-02-08 7 Baby wild rats:

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

2010-02-07 7 Baby wild rats:

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

 

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