new to us pet rat - mycoplasma

Question
Hello Ms. Todd, I found you on these forums through the Rat Fan Club.  I have quite a few questions and a lot of information to give you, I hope you don't mind! ;-) Here's our situation:

Til now I've never owned a pet rat, but my 11-y-o dd has wanted one for awhile.  A friend of mine gave us her rat complete with all the accessories (a 3-level coated-wire cage, non-cedar shavings, food, etc.).  The rat, a small black-and-white female we've re-named "Cookie," is about 18 months old.  

The first thing I noticed about Cookie was she seems to have some thinning fur on her face.  The second thing I noticed was that her fur, in general, does not seem to be as shiny and healthy-looking as one would expect. The third and most ominous thing I picked up on was the continual sneezing.  

I'm really sure Cookie has mycoplasma.  We've had her less than 48 hours but she sneezes SO much.  I've read somewhere else that a rat that gets moved might sneeze like crazy til they get acclimated, but, Cookie's sneezing doesn't seem to be decreasing.  Also, when she does sneeze the sneezes are wet and spray a fine liquid - it's noticeable.  And I think her nose is drippy.  

From everything I've been reading it seems like the early stages of a respiratory infection.  I haven't heard her cough, she doesn't double over in pain, her breathing seems normal, and I can't hear any rattling as she breathes.  

So now to my questions.  :-)

1.)  Can you recommend a vet that treats rats in my area?  We live south of Fort Worth, between Burleson and Cleburne.  

2.)  What cleaning recommendations do you have to keep her mycoplasm symptoms at bay?  For example, the Rat Fan Club site indicates we need to be especially concerned with not letting ammonia build up in Cookie's living area, as that could damage her already immuno-compromised lungs.  How often should we clean her cage - once a week, twice a week, daily?  Do you recommend using hot soapy water and that's it, or do we need to sanitize every time with hydrogen peroxide or bleach?

3.)  Feeding.  Before Cookie came to us she had an all-pellet diet.  I'd like to change that.  One of the homemade rat food recommendations I read is a rather complex recipe that involves fresh packaged tofu and several vitamin supplements.  This recipe seems a bit beyond my capabilities.  Is there another way we could give Cookie a well-rounded fresh diet without resorting to crushed-up vitamins?  Or might it be best to just feed her 50% pellets, 50% fresh foods?

4.)  What kind of rat pellets do you recommend?  The recommendations out there are plenty and there doesn't seem to be a strong general concurrence.  Any thoughts here would be greatly appreciated.

5.)  Eventually, Cookie will die.  When we are ready for another rat, would we be able to re-use the cage if it's thoroughly sanitized?  Or is this just not possible?

6.)  Because none of the rat care sites have warnings about the danger of mycoplasma being transferred to humans, I'm assuming none of my human family is in danger from Cookie's mycoplasma.  Is this a correct generalization?  Do we need to worry about washing our hands after handling Cookie?  Also, we like to let her crawl around on us, and we let her explore the sofa or the kitchen counter (under STRICT supervision, of course!).  Is this something we should stop doing?  I would be sad if this were so; Cookie really enjoys exploring, and my daughter and I both enjoy having Cookie snuggle up to our neck and take a little rat-nap.

7.)  Sparse fur / dull coat.  The fur on Cookie's face is sparse and her coat is not shiny and pretty.  Could she have mites?  She does appear itchy, but I don't see anything on her skin that looks red, weepy, or rashy.  If it's allergies, could that be caused by her previous all-pellet diet?  

8.)  I read we shouldn't give her wild insects because they may have internal parasites that aren't good for rats.  Does this mean that we could buy some crickets or mealworms from the pet shop to feed her?

Okay, I think that's it for now!  :-)  Thank you for taking the time to read this long, long, long note, and thank you for your willingness to share your wisdom with me.  

Answer
]
'[So now to my questions.  :-)

1.)  Can you recommend a vet that treats rats in my area?  We live south of Fort worth,between Burleson and Cleburne.  
ANSWER:
I have some names. Would you prefer Dallas or Plano?  let me know....


2.)  What cleaning recommendations do you have to keep her mycoplasm symptoms at bay?  For example, the Rat Fan Club site indicates we need to be especially concerned with not letting ammonia build up in Cookie's living area, as that could damage her already immuno-compromised lungs.  How often should we clean her cage - once a week, twice a week, daily?  Do you recommend using hot soapy water and that's it, or do we need to sanitize every time with hydrogen peroxide or bleach?


*ANSWER*
Once a week,and I use a mixture of hibicleanse and water (I buy the hibicleanse at the pharmacy, Walmart is cheapest) If you potty train them, this cuts down so much on litter and also ammonia build up. All you need to do is use a rectangle plastic tray that is deep enough to hold some aspen shavings but shallow enough so they can hop in and out of it. DO NOT put litter anywhere else in the cage or it will confuse them.  Instead, lay down several layers of newspapers and top the papers off with plastic needle point canvas sheets. They have millions of tiny holes for draining any liquid which will go right into the layers of newspapers and  will absorb the urine shou ld they pee on it and will cut down on ammonia smell too and will keep the rats dry and clean. Change out the papers every few days and wipe down shelves with the hibicleanse mix. Vinegar is ok but...I prefer hibicleanse.




3.)  Feeding.  Before Cookie came to us she had an all-pellet diet.  I'd like to change that.  One of the homemade rat food recommendations I read is a rather complex recipe that involves fresh packaged tofu and several vitamin supplements.  This recipe seems a bit beyond my capabilities.  Is there another way we could give Cookie a well-rounded fresh diet without resorting to crushed-up vitamins?  Or might it be best to just feed her 50% pellets, 50% fresh foods?

**ANSWER** All the info you need from me on rat diet and proper nutrition including homemade rat diets etc....are right on my website, USING THE LINK BELOW, and there are recipes much easier than the one you describe.

http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/ratsandahealthydiet.htm

Also, feed constant diet, not a scheduled feeding.  Rats will NOT over eat.  They get fat from not eating right foods rather than eating too much.

5.)  Eventually, Cookie will die.  When we are ready for another rat, would we be able to re-use the cage if it's thoroughly sanitized?  Or is this just not possible?


***ANSWER**
You can use the cage again after cleaning it out.  I just lost my last rat two days ago, the morning we were leaving for vacation. He was to come with us and he went into heart failure. So, sadly on our way to FLorida we had to have him put down right at our local ER clinic. I was and am heartbroken. It hasnt hit me yet, I dont think as I am staying with family in Florida and keeping busy hitting beaches etc.... but I know when I go home and face his huge cage, empty, I am going to lose it.   I have three new babies coming in July from a breeder and they will live in my precious boys cage after I clean it up etc....


6.)  Because none of the rat care sites have warnings about the danger of mycoplasma being transferred to humans, I'm assuming none of my human family is in danger from Cookie's mycoplasma.  Is this a correct generalization?  Do we need to worry about washing our hands after handling Cookie?

**ANSWER**

Myco is strictly a rodent disease. However, common sense tells us to wash up before and after handling any pet, from rat to cat to dog to turtles.   To be honest though, just holding the rat or petting it doesnt send me to the sink to disinfect my hands, but should I have a rat that is super happy to see me and may leave a piddle of pee on my hands, well...thats just a given I would wash up.  Some people walk out of a public restroom without washing their hands (ew, that is just nasty! LOL!!)

Also, we like to let her crawl around on us, and we let her explore the sofa or the kitchen counter (under STRICT supervision, of course!).  Is this something we should stop doing?  I would be sad if this were so; Cookie really enjoys exploring, and my daughter and I both enjoy having Cookie snuggle up to our neck and take a little rat-nap.

***ANSWER***
Absolutely take her out and let her snuggle with you. However, experience has shown me that there are serious dangers with countertops, tables, shoulder riders and even couch surfers. Rats have fallen and have suffered serious injury from a 3 feet drop and some rats have gone down inside the couch and were stuck inside springs in the couch etc...  My advice is to hold the rat on your chest and pet her etc....but see my webpage on how to construct a safe play area for her to roam and play. You can make it as big as you want (the product is simply made out of cardboard!!) and can sit in there with her. This will be her special play area where she is totally safe from harm.  Roaming free can kill your rat. I know of one that bit into a lamp cord and nearly died after being shocked. Another ran into a tiny hole under the cabinet and another was killed after going under the fridge, so I am really picky about my rats play area. Not everyone has a spare room to devote to their rats but it is still easy enough to make a play pen out of cardboard, add some homemade rat toys and have fun, letting her exercise in her new play area as much as you want.

Check out this link below for all the info you need about setting up a safe play area for her:

http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/gettingstarted.htm



7.)  Sparse fur / dull coat.  The fur on Cookie's face is sparse and her coat is not shiny and pretty.  Could she have mites?  She does appear itchy, but I don't see anything on her skin that looks red, weepy, or rashy.  If it's allergies, could that be caused by her previous all-pellet diet?  

**ANSWER**
It could be mites, but if you plan on a vet visit, he can check for you.  However, the diet may need adjusted for starters and she may have dry skin. Try adding a dab of olive oil to a cracker piece two times a day for a week or so and see if things dont clear up for her.


8.)  I read we shouldn't give her wild insects because they may have internal parasites that aren't good for rats.  Does this mean that we could buy some crickets or mealworms from the pet shop to feed her?

**ANSWER**

No, she doesnt need to eat that gross stuff when she would fare much better with fruits and veggies along with her regular diet.

Okay, I think that's it for now!  :-)  Thank you for taking the time to read this long, long, long note, and thank you for your willingness to share your wisdom with me.


**Your welcome!**