Please help with my tilted ratty.

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I recently rescued two baby girl rats from Petland's feeder tank. I understand that they are not bred for temperment, nor are they bred for health. I also meant to adopt my rats from a shelter, but my heart almost burst when I saw my two sweethearts being repeatedly hit in the head by a cat litter scooper (the thing they use to take out the rats they intend to feed). Anyway, I'm not in a financially sound situation currently, and there are no exotic vets ANYWHERE in my area (the only dr. who grudgingly agreed to 'possibly' check her said it would cost me $200 for the first exam not including medication). One of my baby (5 wk old) ratties has a severe head tilt. She is breathing fine, eats well, drinks well, is very sociable, has no lumps or bumps, she's a bit smaller but about as active as her sister. I know it's probably an ear infection, but her neck is not stuck that way because when she eats, she straightens out a bit. Her fur is beautiful and she looks great but for the the severe tilt. Is there any way I can treat her myself? Where would I get the materials to treat her IF I can get them without a prescription? What should I do?! I love my little Jada, I really want to help her. Can she live with the head tilt or is it fatal?

ANSWER: Hi Nadia

For starters, let me know your location and I can give you some names of decent vets that see rats, even take payments rather than make you pay upfront. No obligation to see them of course, but just to have names handy in case you find a way to go. To be honest though,  She needs antibiotics to kill the bacteria that is causing the ear infection and steroids or even metacam which is an NSAID to get rid of the inflammation that is causing pressure on the vestibular cochlear nerve which is what controls equilibrium.  The head tilt may not go away if it isnt treated promptly, and sometimes it can get so bad they cannot eat or drink.  The bacteria causing the infection is what is dangerous and failing to treat it can lead to possibly migration of the infection the brain, which would be devastating.  So no, she should not live with ear infection that is causing head tilt.  Unfortunately there is nothing over the counter that you can use to treat it yourself either. THe meds needed are by prescription only.  The vet that wants $200 to see the rat is out of his mind.  He probably doesnt know anything about rats in the first place so they scare rat owners off by the outrageous price for an exam because he would rather not admit he doesnt know how to treat rats. Sometimes ego is a problem with ....well....you get my drift.

Anyhow, the normal fee is around $30 to perhaps $40 max and the meds should not be more than $30 total.  total cost to treat this should not even exceed $100 at the most.   Again, vets are starting to feel the crunch of people staying away due to the economy and are more than willing to give folks a break and let them make payments or take post dated checks etc...  A decent vet should not let money stand in the way of treating  a sick animal.  They take an oathe to help animals and ease their suffering after all.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so so much for your reply! I so appreciate it. I called another 3 vets, and so far no one has a price below $90 without medicine and none offer payment plans. If you can help me find someone in Queens, New York (preferrably near the Kew Gardens area) I would be forever in debt. I love my Jada and I can't bear the thought of losing her. It's killing me to think that might even be a possibility.  Thank you so MUCH!!!!!

Answer

The first place is FANTASTIC!  I love Dr. Monaco and he is a very wonderful and compassionate Vet!  I would try to get to him if you can. Second would be the Island Exotic Care clinic that specializes in exotics.  There is no Vets in Queens that I would recommend to treat your rats so this is about the best I can do. Dr. Monaco is about 25 mins. from Queens. Please let me know if you go and how things are with your little baby

Dr. Robert Monaco
Old Country Animal Clinic    
669 Old Country Road
Plainview NY 11803
Phone:    516-938-7218
Website: WWW.OldCountryAnimalClinic.com



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Dr. Heidi Hoefer
Island Exotic Veterinary Care    
591 E. Jericho Turnpike
Huntington Station NY 11746
Phone:    631-424-0300
Website: www.islandexoticvetcare.com

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Dr. David Kolins
New Hyde Park Animal Hospital    
615 Jericho Turnpike
New Hyde Park NY 11040
Phone:    5163527007
Website: www.nhpah.com

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