Feeder Rats

Question
Hi,

Me and my partner recently (yesterday!) bought a new pair of rats. This is our second couple, and I also grew up with rats.

Our last pair (and my rats growing up) were all bought from large chain pet stores as 'pet' rats. They suffered from severe respiratory problems and died youngish (about 1.5 years) despite our best efforts (and the vet's). This last set we got from an independent pet store that does not carry 'pet' rodents; thus, these guys were feeders and were shipped from whatever breeder as such.  However, we saw them and fell in love.

I have read that getting feeder rats is a terrible idea because they are much more prone to diseases. I have also read that pet stores separate based purely on colouring/attractiveness, etc, so either is just as likely to get diseased.

Our little guys are a bit nervous but clearly already more socialized that our last pet store 'pet' pair i.e. not terrified of our hands (although wary), will wander about on our shoulders, take food from our hands, etc. So personality/socialization is not an issue.

My question is, what have we gotten ourselves into? Was it a big mistake to get feeder rats?

As well, one of the little guys is sneezing a bit and this is making us nervous. He also may be making little noises that are not bruxing. Could this be nervousness, a cold, us over reacting due to our last experience, etc., or should we be be taking them to the vet post-haste to try and get some preventative measures in place before the dreaded lung disease kicks in?

He has no signs of distress other than the (quiet) noises and sneezing - i.e. no red discharge, they are both clean, well-groomed, bright eyed and energetic... with very good appetites! They have already created a beautiful newspaper nest with a large cache of food pellets... mmmmm...


I appreciate your input. Thank you!

Answer
Your right, pet stores buy the rats from the same supplier (usually) and pick out the more unusual ones, leaving the plain ones to be sold as snake food.  Sadly.....

Buying pet store rats is an iffy thing.....but to be honest, it really truly starts with the owner.  ALL rats have the mycoplasma bacteria. Its living right smack in their nasal passages and the female rats uterus.  It can be triggered by a weak immune system complete with the wrong type of environment.  Using the wrong litter, ( i always suggest litter box  training them soon as possible)  and keeping their cage very very clean is a start.  Also, the right treatment is VITAL soon as they start with their first respiratory infection.  Myco related respiratory infections (rats do NOT get colds, they are immune to all 200 plus viruses that cause  the common cold) they need treated properly and promptly.  Baytril for rats over 4 months of age for  NO LESS than 21 to 30 days with some experts now saying 6 weeks for the first infection.  Anything less, they will relapse and the second infection will have no mercy on your rats lungs, often causing scarring. Usually the third bout of infection ends in either chronic lung disease with the rat always wheezing, gasping and just downright suffering, or their life ends with a deadly case of pneumonia.  Female rats that are not spayed are prone to mammary tumors. Males are too, but not as common as it is with females. This has NOTHING to do with the breeder and cannot be bred out of them no matter who tells you   what.  This is due to high levels of prolactin which stimulates the growth of these tumors.  Yes, they can be removed easily but its not cheap and sadly, they grow back.  The ONLY way to be pretty much assured that they wont grow these monsters is to spay the female YOUNG, under 6 months of age but older than 3 months.  This applies for even the most dedicated breeder in the worlds rats, too. I dont care where they  come from, when ANY female rats estrus cycle ends, hormone levels soar regardless of where they came from.

Please read my  website about Mycoplasmosis first of all. This will help you understand the best way to prevent your rat from getting sick in the first place.  We can only do so much, but if rat owners knew more about it, less rats would get it, no matter where they came from.

The problem with feeder rats is of course they are usually NEVER socialized properly, but I should say PET STORE RATS rather than say this applies to just feeder rats. Most large breeder mills that supply to pet stores do NOT have time to sit there and play with dozens of new born baby rats.

To trust train your shy rat, check the page on my website about trust training your shy or biting rat.   I also am just about ready to put a page up on litter training rats too and this cuts down on odor and ammonia build up which is one cause of respiratory illness in rats, along with exposing them to candles, cigarette smoke, cleaners and aerosols etc...

so the bottom line is, do NOT fear that you  bought a feeder.  You saved them from a horrible death.  You cant save them all, but one less rat going into a snakes mouth is better than none.

My website is Sandyscrittercity.com  Please let me know after you have gone over it.  Check out proper diet too, since diet is also KEY to a longer healthier life.  pet store seed mixes are crap, period. So dont even waste your money.