I have had guinea pigs for many years and they are very dear to my
heart. I've read so much about pet rats and what great pets they make.
So, about a month ago, I welcomed Lucy and Olivia into our home. Lucy
is a black dumbo rat and Olivia is a blue rat. What playful,
affectionate pets!! I've absolutely fallen in love with them. After I
got them, however, I noticed both of them sneezing and Lucy was
scratching and having loose poops. I took them into the vet and they
put them on Baytril (in their water) and Ivermectin (in water as well.)
I had never given a pet their medicine in their water. .is that
commonplace for rats. They believe it is an upper respiratory
(mycoplasma, I'm assuming?) and pinworms. The Baytril was for 10 days
and the Ivermectin is 4 days in water (3 days regular water) for 5
weeks. The sneezing seems better, but they are still scratching quite
a bit. I have 2 weeks left on the Ivermectin, however. I also noticed
that both of them make a hiccupy, chirping sound. Is that normal? I
just want to give them the best chance at living a healthy life as I
can. .since I know their life expectancy is so short. I have ordered
them a Cat Claw Tree (kind of a cat condo made a carpet) for playing
on. They love to climb and I'm having a hard time keeping them
interested and not bored. I have cardboard boxes for them, a wheel
(Wodent Wheel. .that they LOVE) Any other toy ideas for rambuctious
female rats would be appreciated. Any advice about getting started
with rats would also be appreciated.
Thanks
>> Stay informed about: My 2 new female ratties