Lab rat

Question
Hi Cathe,
I'm a psychology major and so I'm currently in a course that does operant testing on rats (nothing crazy, just teaching him to press a lever for sugar pellets). At the end of the semester, we are able to adopt them... otherwise they are donated to medical research (I believe something to do with cocaine!). My lab partner was originally going to adopt him, but now he's backing out. I would love to adopt him, only I have 2 rats already that were purchased from a petshop. My lab rat was born and raised in a completely sterile environment, and I'm worried that if I introduce him to my existing rats, he will get terribly sick. What do you suggest I do? Leave him to become a crack addict or take the risk of introducing him to my 2 lovely (but far from sterile) boys?

Answer
Hi Andrea
This is a terrific question..and you're about to help anyone who is considering bringing a new rat in, and unsure as to the best way to protect him or her. (I did laugh at the idea of the crack-rat, though...oh, the visuals!)

First thing you'll need to do is keep the rats separated for about a week. We usually keep sequestered animals just to ensure none in the new environment have any other issues not relating to the rats. Some new guys may have allergies, or even need time to bond with owners prior to meeting the rest of the gang.

While they are sepaRATed, you can use this time to give your current rats a seven day round of Baytril, and a small dose of ivermectin, just to ensure that they won't pass anything on to the new member.

Introduce them slowly. The new guy, who has strange smells from his old environment, will likely confuse the current rats. Dab him with vanilla, behind his  flanks, ears, and hid quarters. I even put some on the base of the tail, as most rats will sniff there. Also, dab your current boys with vanilla, so the new rat doesn't smell their musk as much.

If they're young, you can usually introduce them easily, in an hour or two. If they're a few months old, as it sounds like you have there, start by  introducing them in a neutral play area. (A bathroom works great for this.) Keep treats nearby. If there are scuffles, and you should expect them, use a squirt bottle or a treat to distract the furballs.

If they are playing well, or  even ignoring each other, you can put all of them into a cage that has been cleaned with white vinegar. The vinegar will neutralaize any bacteria, and help mask any scents. Leave a few cotton balls of vanilla extract in the cages, to keep the animals thinking.."oh, this is nice in here". A friend of mine uses pumpkin pie spice instead of vanilla.

Leave plenty of toys, hiding spots, and treats in the cage then LEAVE THE ANIMALS ALONE for at least a few hours. if there is going to be any torturous screams, you'll know in the first few hours if they are just fear, or from fighting. If they are from fighting, keep introducing a play time every day, until they are ignoring each other, then put them in the same cage.

The rats will accept whichever and whomever the alpha rat accepts. If you can get the bossy rat to love the new guy, you're in for smooth sailing.

Out of the years, and hundreds of rats I've had, only two were unable to be placed in cages with others. They were neutered, and then ended up in ratty heaven....they got to stay with the girls.

I hope that helps! Congrats on your hard work, and your good ratty deeds!

Cathe