Little Ratty update - now with pics

[olivia]

Hello,

Thought I'd do a little ratty update - no reason, except I felt like it

Lots has been going on with the ratties. For the past 6 months we've been battling an ongoing respiratory problems with them. They get a noisy chest for 24hrs, then they are fine, and most of them get it at some point. Vet and I agree that it is most likely to be an environmental problem, but we've had a hell of a job trying to track it down. We've changed bedding, cleaner, houses, etc etc. All to no avail.

So yesterday was the biggy - changed the cages. So out go my old wooden ones, and been replaced by shiney new metal ones. I've also split the big group into three as there was some low level squabbling that could have been causing stress which lowers the immune system. I now can't move cause I'm sooooooo stiff, but the cages are LOVELY, and the girls are loving them. THey still look a bit empty as I'm slowly adding toys, but they are having lots of fun exploring

The best thing is that I've been able to move my old lady Charity, and my three rescues from their dinky Freddy, into a nice big cage. Charity's back legs are all but useless now, but she's still got so much spirit - she chins her self up the cage side with her front legs, even though she has ramps and things to use. Silly girl. We've just started her on something called "Senior Aid" which has made a huge difference to her - she can now scratch herself with her back legs again and place the legs as she walks, even if they have little strength. She lives with my three current "projects" plus Dominic my dopey old man.

My projects are Sam, Sarah and Sophie - three red eyed sisters who are almost totally blind. They are also the most neophobic rats I have ever come across. All rats are to some extent, but will learn from cage mates what is and isn't safe, but these girls are just scared of everything. I've had them for nearly 6 months and they still won't come out of the cage for a play - even if I'm not around. And they are plain terrified of me. Most rescues I've had have come right with just time, and some gentle handling, but these guys have had plenty of that. So we now have a nice new plan. A combination of essential oil therapy to help them release their pain/suffering/anxiety etc etc. and clicker training to teach them some more positive behaviours. So watch this space!!!

I had a great day today with Paulha learning about essential oils - mum had a great time too. So I can't wait to go try it for real.

Will get some lovely pics of the cages tomorrow, plus some ratty pics too.

Olivia

[Debbie]

Oooh, I bet you're ready for a nice long soak after all that work! I'm sure your ratties enjoy their new digs, though. And bless her heart, little Charity sounds like she's improving a bit.

I'll be interested to hear if your 'projects' respond to the aromatherapies. Anything's worth a try when they're that frightened.

[harveydales]

Lovely to get a rat update - fascinating to read this. Please do keep us posted on the new projects. I am very interested to see how the rats respond ot the clicker training and to the aromatherapy.

[lucydales]

What oils are you trying Olivia, and how are you going to administer them??
thanks for the update!

[leannwithconnie]

THe rats new homes sound very nice. What a shame about the blind rats....hope you get some positive response soon and that theessential oils therapy goes well.

[nars]

Those rats are certainly well cared for. I hope the essential oils work for the little ratties. It must be difficult seeing them so frightened of life.

Charity sounds a game old lady.

[olivia]

With regards to the oil I'm probably going to start with Roman Camomile, frankinsense, neroli and possibly geranium. But with animals they self medicate - so I will offer these and then they can choose which ones then need/want. I can try a few more if these don't hit the spot.

Now some piccies

Dom looks indignant that I've just interrupted a good scratching session:


Old Lady Charity comes out to investigate her carrot (she's the one with the darker head)


Sam and Sophie - two of the projects Sam has a tilty head from an inner ear infection as a baby. BTW the mess on the floor is food scattered all over the place - I'm trying scatter feeding atm as a way of enriching their environment - making it a little more like the wild where food doesn't magically appear in a bowl every 24 hrs


Explorer City


Some toys - the cages are quite empty atm as I'm adding toys slowly while they get used to it.


Madonna says "Ooohh whats out here"


Soon to be joined by her two sisters

[Debbie]

HAHAHAHAHA, that last pic has made my morning ;D Bright eyed and bushy tailed.... well, maybe not 'bushy' being ratties, but you get the idea.

I LOVE that wheel!!! I wish they'd had something like that when I had Ringo all those years ago. The boy wouldn't have gotten his tail broke with something like that.

What lucky rattie babies. With an environment like that, they should be very happy indeed.

[AliandDolly]

aww i love the last one it looks like they're going to jump

alixx

[tinkerdorisalison]

Olivia, it shines thru your story how much you love your ratties!

you are so kind to rescue those poor babies

[harleydales]

GOOD GRIEF!! That is a rat palace!!
They look lovely Olivia, very healthy and content.
I had a sheep with an ear infection that went around with his head on one side - a child thought his brain must be lodged in his ear!

[mollcob]

Great pics, love your cages. My sister and I are each saving up for a lookee likee Ferret nation, which is very similar to yours, a guy makes them to order and they are much cheaper. Any tips on getting them to go up ladders, some will go up and down no probs, but the others refuse to use them. (they are the wooden ladders better for their feet so I have been told). I have put food on them, at the top, put them on different levels, but if they dont have to they will not use them.

[olivia]

hi,

I've never had a huge problem with them climbing - ladders or anything. They just do it. However I do put food and fluids on different levels to where they sleep, with treats up high. This encourages them to climb and explore. As I said all rats are neophobic, so will be reluctant to try new things, but they do learn from what others do (rats will scent mark safe food and territory for other rats). Maybe if you lay the ladders flat so they climb over them and learn they are "safe" then they'll start to climb them.

You could also try tubes as many rats (especially those who have less balance or strength) find them much more secure than ladders. You just have to be careful if you are introducing new rats as they will trap newbies in tubes to beat the crap out of them :roll:

Re. the metal/wood safety thing. I think you're probably talking about wire floors/ladders etc causing bumble foot. This was a well believed theory about the causes of bumble foot, however most recent research seems to be that bumblefoot is predominently hereditary, and the flooring doesn't seem to affect one things one way or another. Having said that I'm not a fan of wire floors as they look uncomfy for the rats. I have just had to junk my wooden cages as I wasn't able to keep them clean enough - and I had similar problems with wooden ladders and toys too. Which was a shame as they loved them so much.

You'll LOVE it when your new cages arrive - we are all so happy with ours.

Olivia

[PonyGirl]

They are very kewl pics!