Critter City

By Sandra Todd of Allexperts.com

A Doctor for your rats!




A Doctor for your rats!!


It is very important to have a good Vet to treat your rat.  This vet should have the proper medications on hand and have the proper sized implements and equipment that are small scale for small animals to no exceptions have to be made.  The vet should also have a special place to keep your rat overnight if needed and have a set up for oxygen in a climate controlled enclosure and should also have the knowledge and experience to diagnose and treat common and not so common ailments that plaque our rats.

These vets are often exotic vets that have extended their education to learn more about animal health and offer the best medical and surgical care for owners of mammals other than the traditional pet (dogs/cats).


                                                                                                                                                               
 These vets are required to pass a specialty board in order to have the privlege of the title EXOTIC  MAMMAL VETERINARIAN.
Some vets are that are not certified exotic vets have taken what is also called "a special interest" in exotic medicine and some are able to offer very good care while others can cause more harm than good.  Unfortunately, there are not very many of these exotic vets and some people are forced to settle for someone that is less than qualified to see rats but will still try to treat the small mammal and consult an exotic vet for support during treatment.  Because of the lack of Vets in this world (I am not being overly dramatic here!!) it is VITAL for the rat owner to educate themselves as much as possible so they are able to understand if the vet is on the right track or not. Sounds a bit unnerving but it is true.
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Who we are: Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians

The Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV) was established in 2000 by veterinarians interested in advancing the veterinary care of ferrets, guinea pigs, rodents and other small exotic mammals. Associations existed to assist veterinarians interested in avian and zoo animal medicine, but not for those wishing to offer the best medical and surgical care for owners of mammals outside traditional dog and cats.

AEMV's official publication is the Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine (JEPM) which is published quarterly.  In addition to original articles and research, the journal includes abstracts from the literature of articles not commonly available to the private practitioner. A great deal of information beneficial to exotic mammal practitioners in published in laboratory animalor research-oriented journals.

AEMV also provides early continuing education open to all veterinarians. Originally called "First Steps: Basics and Beyond" our CE has now expanded to full day wet labs, and will feature our first two day conference in August 2007.

Another long term goal of AEMV is creation of a small mammal specialty board under the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP). An ABVP-Exotic Mammal board will provide a concrete goal for exotic mammal practitioners, and provide a way to demonstrate proficiency in this unique niche.

Please check out this link to locate an exotic vet in your area:






Make note of an ER pet clinic that is open 24 hours a day and be sure to confirm that they treat pet rats and are able to handle an emergency situation at all times. Some ER clinics do offer pet rat care but often there is only one vet that sees rats and they may need to call him/her at home and have them come in especially to see your rat.  This is fine as long as the vet will be there by the time you arrive at the clinic (or within a reasonable amount of time) and also make sure that there are people there that can get your rat stable while waiting for the vet to arrive. What I mean by that is if your rat is having trouble breathing, they should be able to get your rat in an isolette with oxygen piped in so the rat can be treated for respiratory distress while waiting for the vet to come to examine him/her. Also, if your rat is injured and bleeding, make sure that someone is there that will be able to apply pressure in the areas needed to stop the bleeding (this would also be good for the pet owner to know as well) 
Since rats decline fast once they show signs of illness, it is a good idea that you have someone to take the rat to instead of wasting precious time trying to locate a vet that will treat rats and other small animals!      

I have provided you with the link above to take you to a site that will provide a locator for 24 Emergency clinics for your pets. Its important to know where they are in and around your area.  You can have the locator check any distance you want, from 5 miles to 100 mile radius! (of course in an emergency you want to find one as close to you as possible!) Make sure you telephone these clinics to confirm that they do treat pet rats and make a list of all of the clinics that do, along with the phone number and address as well as a map if needed. Keep it handy at all times. When rats become seriously ill, time is against them due to their small size. They dehydrate easily too!! 

Recommended Vets: These vets may or may not be exotic vets but are vets that have been recommended by rat owners as being good with rats:  

 
   

Midwest and Eastern U.S                                                                                                          
Western U.S. and other countries              
 

Please note:

Please do not abuse this list of Vets that are listed above. Some Vets have reported that they have been getting telephone calls from rat owners that are asking for medical advice over the phone and they are not even established patients!  This is very rude to do which I am sure you already are aware of that! It was reported that these particular vets have asked to have their names removed from the lists and this is very discouraging, so again, I ask that you do not disturb the vet. Make an appointment and get your rat in to see a vet if you think there is a problem.


Information above taken from THE RAT FAN CLUB

 


Small scaled implements

One reason it is important to see a vet that is well versed in small mammals is because of the properly sized implements they have for the smaller mammals. Keep in mind if the vet states they are small animal vets this means dogs/cats and not horses etc... this doesnt pertain to rodents, reptiles or avian vets. Often they use the word POCKET PET which is pretty frowned on in the exotic vet world. Pocket pets almost make it sound as if the animal is cheap and replacable and almost not worth spending money on since they are temporary pets with short life spans. In fact, calling a rat a pocket pet is almost insulting if you think about it! The proper term is small mammal or exotic pet. Period.

Anyhow, the last thing you want is for your rat to have something used on them that isnt meant for their small size. An exotic vet or one that is serious about treating small mammals will have on hand the proper implements starting with the proper enclosures needed for respiratory distress. These cages are enclosed and are used to nebulize the small mammal and also have oxygen piped in. The temperature is controlled at all times.

Note the glass enclosures on the far top right.





Another ICU enclosure, models vary.

Small mammal scale

Clear induction chamber used for anesthesia or O2 for small mamals.



To the right: Rodent anesthesia work station
To the left: Small mammal doppler system




To the right: Rat pack emergency supply kit
To the left: rodent dental tools


These are just a few examples of properly sized implements that are very important to the proper care your small rat receives from their Vet!