..::Rat~Chat::.. {Note On Page 11}

[DesireeCollins]

@PiperLovesYou ..Shes cute... you dont have her in a cage with a wire bottom do you? (Dont want bummble foot...^^)



@LissaJoe has your rats had her kittens yet? You should post pictures of them if she has.^^

[Sadies]

@PiperLovesYou ..Shes cute... you dont have her in a cage with a wire bottom do you? (Dont want bummble foot...^^)



@LissaJoe has your rats had her kittens yet? You should post pictures of them if she has.^^

Just thought I would say that Bumble foot is a bacterial infection. As long as the bars are clean it's unlikely they will get it.

[LissaJo]

Luna still hasnt had babies yet

she has stopped gaining weight yet her nipples have gotten bigger and longer (in my experience with dogs and horses this usually means they are filling up with milk and babies will be here soon) and Luna is still nesting like crazy.. Today she is building it up around her, so i guess it is still a waiting game!

[van]

@PiperLovesYou ..Shes cute... you dont have her in a cage with a wire bottom do you? (Dont want bummble foot...^^)



@LissaJoe has your rats had her kittens yet? You should post pictures of them if she has.^^

Just thought I would say that Bumble foot is a bacterial infection. As long as the bars are clean it's unlikely they will get it.

that is true, however, sores and infections including bumble foot are much more likely to appear with rough floors/bedding and bumble foot is extremely common in rats kept on wire flooring as the flooring is really rough on their feet and they will often develop ulcers and cuts. i've also heard of rats breaking toes, claws, or entire feet by rough housing, or even walking or running around a cage that has wire ramps or bottoms. imo, taking a little extra time to cover up the wire is a lot better than causing the rats discomfort and possibly having to deal with health problems. 

and LissaJo, that's awesome about the momma, when she has babies you'll have to post pictures! ;u;

[Sadies]

@PiperLovesYou ..Shes cute... you dont have her in a cage with a wire bottom do you? (Dont want bummble foot...^^)



@LissaJoe has your rats had her kittens yet? You should post pictures of them if she has.^^

Just thought I would say that Bumble foot is a bacterial infection. As long as the bars are clean it's unlikely they will get it.

that is true, however, sores and infections including bumble foot are much more likely to appear with rough floors/bedding and bumble foot is extremely common in rats kept on wire flooring as the flooring is really rough on their feet and they will often develop ulcers and cuts. i've also heard of rats breaking toes, claws, or entire feet by rough housing, or even walking or running around a cage that has wire ramps or bottoms. imo, taking a little extra time to cover up the wire is a lot better than causing the rats discomfort and possibly having to deal with health problems. 

and LissaJo, that's awesome about the momma, when she has babies you'll have to post pictures! ;u;

I agree, it is more common on wire floor but often it's not a huge concern if you make sure to keep it sterile.

[dumbass]

Shes a brat
And no, the levels are grid-like and usually have liners. I was actually washing them when that pic was taken xD

[DeckOfCards]

That explains a lot

@LissaJoe
Congrats! So excited I can't wait to see the babies. Hey, since I have no experience with ratlings, should you wait a while before you pick them up? Is it like mice, how they'll eat their babies if you touch them or something?

[DesireeCollins]

That explains a lot

@LissaJoe
Congrats! So excited I can't wait to see the babies. Hey, since I have no experience with ratlings, should you wait a while before you pick them up? Is it like mice, how they'll eat their babies if you touch them or something?

It depends on the mother, all of my rats were hand raised so they let me touch and pick up thier kittens the day they were born so I could count them and look them over. For a first time mother I would reconind not touching them for at least 3 to 5 days, and you might want to test her to see if she will even let you pick her or the kittens up, put your hand in the cage once they are about 3 - 5 days old and see if she reacts to your hand being there. If she growls or lunges at you she will most likely bite you and then I would sugguest not touching them at all.^^

[DeckOfCards]

What do you think would be the best age to start handling the kits?

[DesireeCollins]

I would say since she is a first time mother once they are about a week old you could start to handle them and check them over to make sure they are ok and count them, or 3 to 5 days if she will allow you to.^^ Did she have them yet? About how long has she been pregnant?