Health

Just like you have a family doctor that you see when you are unwell, your rats need their own doctor too - a veterinarian is an animal doctor. 

It’s a good idea for your family to find out which veterinarian they plan on using before you get your rats. Ask your friends that are rat owners which veterinarians they recommend. If possible, visit the clinic beforehand and look around. Ask yourself: Is the waiting area clean? Are the staff helpful? Find out the opening hours and if they handle emergencies after hours as well.

Once you get your new rats, your family should register them with your chosen local veterinary clinic straight away. Make an appointment as soon as you can for a check-up. Your vet can then create a care programme for your rats. It is helpful to write a list of the questions you want to ask so everything can be covered. 

Rats feel pain in the same way as other animals, including people. But they are not very good at showing outward signs of pain and may be suffering a great deal before you notice anything is wrong. 

A change in the way your rat normally behaves can be an early sign they are ill or in pain. If your rat is not eating or is more quiet than usual, they are highly likely to be ill or in pain. You should talk to your veterinarian immediately. 

Regular health check-ups with a vet is the best way of detecting any problems with your rat early. But remember, if any of your rats show any signs of injury or ill health, you must take them to their veterinarian immediately. If it is late at night or on the weekend and your veterinary clinic is closed, there are great after-hours clinics available for emergencies. Make sure your family know where your closest after-hours veterinary clinic is. 

Ask your parent or caregiver to help you handle your rats for signs of illness or injury every day.

Make sure this is done by someone else if you are away.

Consult your rats’ veterinarian immediately if you suspect your rat is in pain, ill or injured. 

• Eyes, ears and nose
  These should be clear, clean and bright looking with no discharge (snotty stuff). If your rat is shaking their head a lot and scratching around their ears, this could be a sign of ear mites. You will need to take your rat to see their veterinarian.
   
• Teeth
  Rats’ teeth grow throughout their lives and dental problems are common. Make sure you provide your rats with adequate chewing material. Branches from trees such as willow, apple, pear, poplar, citrus or other untreated wood treats will keep their teeth worn down. Avoid trees which have been chemically treated or are close to sources of pollution. If any of your rats are showing hesitation to eat or drooling, this may be a sign of a dental problem. That needs to be checked out by your rat’s veterinarian straight away.
   
• Breathing
  Listen for different or strange breathing sounds such as wheezing, congestion, or clicking noises. 
   
• Injuries and Wounds
  Visually inspect your rat’s body for bleeding, cuts, bites, and bruising. 
   
• Tail and Feet 
  Visually inspect your rat’s tail and feet for injuries and for symptoms of bumblefoot (feet) and ringtail (tail). 
   
• Movement
  Remove your rat from their enclosure and watch them walk. Keep your eyes open for trembling, limping, tilting, circling, or weakness in its legs. 
   
• Body
  Carefully and gently massage your rat’s body with your fingers checking for lumps, swelling, or areas of sensitivity that might indicate growths, swelling, or pain. 
   
• Fur and Skin
  Watch your rat’s behavior to see if they are scratching excessively and check for any hair loss. 
  Look at the skin and fur for possible parasites. Fleas and lice are large enough to see. Mites are harder to spot but often you will see nits on the hair shaft or a characteristic scabbing around the rat’s shoulders and neck. 
   
• Odour
  Sniffing your rat may help alert you to problems! Learn your rat’s “normal” odour. A “bad” smell may be a sign of an infection. A sickly sweet-smell could be diabetes. 

The first thing to remember when you are picking up or holding your rat is this – you are much, much bigger than they are! A frightened mouse can be very difficult to pick up. This can cause them to squirm or wiggle, which can be dangerous. The best way to pick up you rat is to teach them not to be afraid of you. This makes health checks easier and will avoid accident or injury. 

A properly trained rat will walk right into your hand as soon as you put it in the enclosure. Rats should be allowed to investigate your hands in their own time. 

• Diarrhea
• Your rat’s head tilting, any circling or wobbling
• Sneezing or nasal discharge (snotty stuff)
• Lots of scratching
• Any sores
• Blood or mucus (slimy stuff) in their wee or droppings
• Overgrown teeth or nails 
• Porphyrin staining (a red discharge from the nose or eyes)
• Lumps or bumps
• Skin problems (spots or scabs)
• Bleeding
• Your rat is hunched up
• Anything else out of the ordinary