Happiness or something wrong?

Question
QUESTION: I recently rescued a 'feeder' rat from a pet shop.. I can't tell if it's a male or
female but signs point to female; The cage it was being held in was
tremendously small along with about 5 or 6 other rats. She's fairly small and
seems young and so did the others (they were in the container labeled
'Small')
I accommodated a new cage with aspen begging and she was making this
odd noise.. Yesterday when I got her she was very quiet but today she's been
'chattering' up a storm..Is that a good thing or a bad thing? It's not exactly a
squeak, it's not wheezing, nor sneezing, more like chattering :) and hung a
thick, golden charm necklace and she was playing with them and a string I
hung with colorful beads (I made sure they're secure and not hazardous).. The
main question I'm asking is, is the chattering good or bad?
Oh and another question.. the water bottle that I put in works with suction
(no metal ball tip)..is that a good choice? because it's..rather odd I can't
imagine a rat using that sort of thing?

ANSWER: SHe is bruxing.  Does it sound like a clicking, like teeth grinding real fast?  If you look closely, you may see her eyes vibrate too... this is ALL GOOD.  Its like a cat purring!!   It means they are super content!

Also, the water bottle...thats odd...where did you get it from? If you tap the nipple will water come out?  The rats tongue makes the water come out, I dont really think they suck....but thats really a good question because I dont know!  I would go buy one with the ball unless you see the rat use it.  You should be able to tell if she is male or female.  Males testicles are pretty darn big.  If she has nipples, you have a girl for sure.



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

QUESTION: It's definitely a girl (: She's super playful now that she's getting to explore and play with more things..
As for the water bottle I changed it's purpose.. I saw her trying to use it the way that ones with the metal ball would be used so I replaced it but now I have another question that popped out of nowhere today as I was playing with her
If she's scurrying around and my hand seems to pop out of nowhere she makes a squeak, and when she's wandering around me or my hands she sounds like a squeaky dog toy that keeps squeaking repeatedly in short bursts or randomly in her cage when shes running around exploring she makes the same sound but not as high pitched..
I listened closer when we were playing with her back to my ear and her breathing sounds like a tiny tiny barely noticable little high pitched whistle with every breath.. Is this a possible sickness or just normal?
She looks VERY healthy, acts very healthy, eats/drinks/sleeps very healthily and normally and everything else is perfectly normal.. No discharge or anything.. The food I got for her is called Kaytee Forti-Diet for Rat & Mouse at PetSmart and I might return there or to the local pet shop for more food..Any suggestions? I almost got Mazuri Rat & Mouse diet blocks (here http://pet.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pPETS-3763643t400.jpg ) Which one is healthier?

ANSWER:
You need to read my website on diets:)   Ditch the kaytee. Its crap. The corn in it (the hard corn kernels) contain a fungus that is known to cause cancer, the seeds are too high in fats and proteins and high protein is bad for the rats kidneys. I would get the Mazuri block but do NOT give the seed mix any more and since the mazuri is a bit higher in protein than we like (its 23% and we suggest 15 t0 18% protein) you can also make your own mix for your rat and in the long run its cheaper.  
Mazuri is a thumbs up but would not be my first choice. Harlan Teklad is the first choice along with Regal rat by oxbow, which both are found on the internet and some oxbow products are sold at Vets that see exotics.

Also you need to read up about mycoplasmosis.  This is something all rat owners MUST know about as it is very common and is the number one cause of most illnesses our rats get, starting with the respiratory tract.  Found in pet store rats mostly since the crowded conditions can contribute to the outbreak, she may be getting the start of it.  It is easily under control with antibiotics but must be taken care of right off.  Pet stores usually are DUH about these things, saying they will take the rat back and take it to their vet (who usually doesnt know a thing about rats) so dont even bother asking them about it or your rat will end up sicker or worse......

Let me know where your located and I can give you some names of good vets for rats.  Even if she is ok, its best to have a vet lined up rather than scrambling for one at the list minute.

The problem with feeders is they are not treated well and are put on pine or cedar litter which is so bad for their lungs to start with. She was probably housed with males too, which means she has a very strong chance she is pregnant.  Rats can get pregnant as young as 6 weeks old.   Do you know if they had the same sex together? They probably just had small rats, mixed sex, since they were feeders.  I usually tell people if they are going to get a feeder rat to buy a male to avoid pregnancy.  However, now she is yours and you cant return her or she will be snake food for sure, after being a pet for a few days....and I am sure your in love already!

Does she sneeze alot?

Here is my website. Please look it over and start with GETTING STARTED.  You may find it interesting about making a play area for the rat for safety reasons and for bonding too, but do check out the page on diets and mycoplasmosis too.  Its vital you read up on it.

Let me know how its going later today or tomorrow.
http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/gettingstarted.htm


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

QUESTION: Thank you :) I'm reading up on stuff right now. We're going to the pet shop soon and I filtered out the pieces of corn. She was probably in pine bedding because it's the bedding that they had most of, in all sizes. I had to insist to my mom that it could only be aspen since that's the only other choice they had. I'll keep a look out for the Regal rat and the Harlan.. Just for reference, the sound was like this- ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfMKGJiRbRo ) but recently it's been more squeak like rather than odd clicking or raspy sounds; and no she doesn't sneeze. I looked up how it looks when they sneeze and she hasn't done it more than once or twice if those were sneezes at all..
and hey! Funny, I was looking at that website before I went to go buy her 2 days ago :)
By the way, the zip code is 28212, in Charlotte North Carolina

Answer
Hi neighbor!!

I am in Charlotte too(Matthews area!)
Small world!  I have gotten several emails and to my surprise they lived around here. I had one lady come in from the coast to see my vet. She made a 4 hour drive for her rat because there were no decent vets in her area and her rat had some serious problems the required a certified experienced exotic vet.

How do you like the snow? :)  

We got about 2 inches here (I am up closer to Union County) but enough to make people panic and hit the grocery stores buying all the food acting like we were going to be snowbound for weeks. Tomorrow a high of 53 degress and you will never know we had anything at all, period!


Where did you get the rats, which pet store?


My vet is out past Concord. If your mom wants to go that far you can take him right to this place:

This is my vet. He sees only exotics, no dogs and cats allowed!

Griffin Exotics     
2100 Lane Street
Kannapolis NC 28083
Phone:    704-932-8111
Website: www.griffinexotics.com

If you want to stick closer to home, there is a vet in Pineville, although Dr. Griffin is top notch and I would trust him over anyone, this vet sees rats twice  a week:

Dr. Laura Lathan
Atrium Animal Hospital    Exotic Pets Seen:
6520 McMahon Drive
Carlotte NC 28226
Phone:    704-542-2000
Website: www.atriumanimalhospital.com


If your rat ever needed surgery etc...I would only see Dr. Griffin.
Also, aspen is good, I use aspen, and also carefresh is good although it can be a bit dusty too.  Dr. Griffin sells regal rat, btw.  

My speakers are not working so I have to go use my sons computer to hear the noise your rat is making. I will let you know what I think during our follow up.