care for hairless rat

Question
QUESTION: I raised a white rat a few years ago but this is my first hairless rat.  He is one year old.  Will you pls give me advise on raising him, keeping him healthy, etc.  I asked my vet today when I took my daughter's dog in for a visit, but he said he didn't know anything about rats.  I already love Rufus and want him to be happy, healthy and live as long as possible.  Thank you.

ANSWER: Hi Christina

For starters, congrats on your hairless rattie!! They are not really much different than furred rats but they do have a few things that need extra attention.  Hairless rats tend to have dry skin so it wont hurt to add some olive oil to his diet.  You can feed him a bit of oil on a corner of a salt free cracker a few times a week IF you notice his skin is dry. Also, hairless rats require just a bit more protein in their diet than furred rats do.  Furred rats should not exceed 15% protein due to possible kidney problems later in life and hairless rats should have right around 18% protein.   A good diet is key. Low in fats and proteins for sure so its good to avoid nuts and seeds found in the not so great seed mixes sold at pet stores. I am not sure about his diet now but if you need some info, on a good diet you can find info here:

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

Hairless rats should also be kept on nice soft bedding and of course since pine and cedar are already not good to use, aspen is ok since its soft but carefresh may be better since its soft and it wont scratch his skin.
Hairless rats also lack a thymus gland which means they have a bit of a compromised immune system and can catch things easier than furred rats. Keeping them warm, free from drafts and again, fed a nice healthy diet and in a clean cage with the right bedding and keeping the cage as free from any urine build up is important to keep him healthy.

What is the little guys name, btw?  :D

Another thing to know about these naked little critters is that they also have a faster metabolic rate. Ever notice how warm he feels, like he may be running a fever? His little body probably feels like warm buttery leather!! I LOVE hairless rats. I have had two so far since they are not real easy to come by around here.
To ensure he has a long and healthy life, we can go over his diet, his housing and the environment he lives in now. He will need exercise daily.  I am going to assume he lives alone?  Rats prefer company and are very social animals.  It may be something to consider and possibly buy him a cagemate.  A happy rat is a stress free rat.

What kind of bedding and diet do you use, for starters?

Since he is naked of course he needs to be kept warm esp since he doesnt have a furred rat to snuggle with.  What do you have for him to sleep in and keep warm in?

One more very important thing that you should address right away:
A vet that knows about rats.  If you need help finding a vet, please let me know and I can help you find someone. Its important to secure one now before you need someone and are in a frazzle because its so hard to find a vet that knows about rats.  Let me know your zip code and I can help you find one or you can look someone up on your own on my website here:
http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/adoctorforyourrat.htm

Looking forward to hearing from you soon!

Sandy

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

QUESTION: thank you so much.  u have been so helpful.  my zip code is 71037. i live close to bossier city, la. the pet shop had pine bedding in his cage, but sold me something that helps control odor. the only things in his cage are bedding, a ladder and shelf, bowl of food, and water bottle.  i added a small piece of one of my shirts just to give him something of mine. can i put a sweater on him?  give him a sm blanket? by the way, his name is Rufus.  a little boy looking at him in the store named him for me.  he is sooooooooooooo sweet and loving.  he likes to cuddle up in my hair.  he breathes kind of loud, is that normal?  it's not really loud, but you can hear it.  he does have a sm tumor on his back close to his neck.

ANSWER: Rufus?  Thats CUTE!

His breathing should NOT be loud...he may very well have a respiratory infection and the pine did NOT help much at all. This can really cause serious lung problems over time. What is he on now, can you tell me the name of it?

You should not put a sweater on him because if he gets too warm he cannot cool down again on his own and cannot tell you if he is warm or not. What you should do is make him a house to sleep in.  All rodents need a place to hide from the world and he is expose out in the open.

You can (for now) take a box and turn it upside down, cutting holes in it for him to get in and out of. Make at least two big holes.
Add soft flannel or fleece but nothing his nails can snag on. A fleece baby blanket is great. Check it daily to be sure he isnt wetting it though. If he is, you can give him several sheets of WHITE paper towels and he will probably rip them up and make a nest.
I would do that right away so he can feel secure and keep warm.

The tumor may be an abscess. Does it have a hole in it or a scab?

I would have his breathing checked out ASAP because you should not hear them breathe. That means he may be congested.  Hopefully it is from the lousy pine and its not infection but if it is, dont worry, a good vet knows what antibiotics to use and he will be better in no time.  Without treatment if it is infection, he can get pneumonia and it could be fatal.

Here are the vet(S) I have found for you so far but tomorrow I will do more searching!

Virginia Brookings, DVM
Brookings Animal Hospital
4919 North Market Street
Shreveport, LA 71107
Tel: (318) 425-4860

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

QUESTION: You have no idea how much I appreciate your advice.  Thank you.  I am not at home right now, so I can't give you the name of the bedding, I will soon, tho.  His breathing I can only hear when he is on my shoulder, that seems to be his favorite place to be :) I will take him to a vet, anyway.  I do want him to be healthy.  I put a pillow sham in his cage last night, for warmth.  He burrowed in it.  I wil make him a house, tho.  Rufus and I thank you.
Tina
ps I will email the name of the food and bedding later today.

Answer


Your welcome, and I called the vet for you and the visit is $30 which is darn good for first visits/consultations. They agreed with me that you should not hear any noises when he breathes and since hairless rats do have a weaker immune system than furred rats, he could end up in trouble without antibiotics.  I am glad you are taking him and the vet above is good with exotic pets. Unfortunately she is NOT a member of the Association of exotic mammal vets, but there are none near you, all of the are 3 hours away, but she has a special interest in exotics and had a good reputation among the reptile world and the rodent woorld to.  

You can also make him a house out of an old tupperware bowl!  Cut some holes, turn it upside down and there you have it! A dome house!  LOL

Walgreens sells baby blankets for $1 which would be perfect for Rufus. The fleece will really keep him toasty!

Please let me know how the vet visit goes..thanks!