If your pet rat is vomiting, you should look for any other symptoms.Your rat might need to stick to a bland diet if nothing else is wrong.There are some symptoms that could be signs of a serious illness.If the symptoms persist for more than a few days, get in touch with a vet to find the root of the problem.
Step 1: Only buy rat pellets from the store.
If your rat is getting sick, stop feeding it food other than pellets.It should be on a bland diet until its droppings return to normal.Fresh, clean water should be provided at all times.It can lead to dehydration, which can be life threatening.Too much fresh food and sudden changes in diet can cause issues in the bicyle.Offer fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts in moderation.The bulk of the diet should be store-bought pellets.
Step 2: Look for other symptoms.
If your rat is behaving normally, it might be a minor issue.There are many signs of a serious illness, such as blood in the stools, lethargy, changes in mobility, and abdominal tenderness.Bring your rat to the vet if you notice any serious symptoms.
Step 3: Its cage needs to be washed.
Maintaining sanitary conditions is important for both you and your pet.If you notice your rat is sick, wash it with hot, soapy water and discard dirty bedding.It should be washed with soap and hot water.All soap should be washed away.Spot clean the cage daily.After handling a rat, wash your hands for at least 30 seconds.
Step 4: Dehydration can be prevented with the help of pedialyte.
In addition to keeping fresh water in its cage at all times, you should also provide a hydrating electrolyte solution, such as Pedialyte.If you want to replace it in 24 hours, keep a small bowl in your rat's cage.After opening, an electrolyte drink will stay fresh for up to 48 hours.Since an entire bottle or can is too much for your rat to drink in a day, pour a small bowl of it and freeze the rest.Pull the skin around the rat's shoulders to make sure it is not dehydrated.The skin should come back in place.Your rat may need veterinary care if it gets dehydrated.Keep a record of how much your rat urinates.It might need to see the vet if it doesn't urinate or its urine is very dark in color.
Step 5: If you think your rat ate something toxic, seek emergency care.
If your rat had access to toxic foods, call a vet.If you want to take your pet to their office, you should describe your rat's symptoms, tell them what they ate, and ask.Chocolate, ivy, foxglove, and NSAID pain killers are some of the items that are poisonous to rats.It's important to keep plants and flowers away from your pet because they can cause problems.
Step 6: If your rat is still sick after 3 or 4 days, take it to the vet.
Monitor your rat for a few days if it doesn't show symptoms other than scurvy, and if you think it's eaten something toxic.If its condition improves, take steps to keep it hydrated.If it isn't better after 3 or 4 days, call the vet and ask if you should bring your rat to their office.
Step 7: A stool sample can be brought to the vet's office.
It might seem gross, but the vet will want to look at the sample.Try to keep an eye on your rat and collect a sample as soon as possible.Purchase a sample container at your local pharmacy, or collect the sample in a small plastic bag.You should get the sample to the vet within 12 hours after collecting it.You should wash your hands after you collect the sample.Ask the vet if they can collect a stool sample.You should leave your rat at the office until it makes a movement.The sample will be tested for infections by the vet.
Step 8: The vet can show you how to administer drugs.
The vet will most likely prescribe an antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal medication if they determine that your rat's diarrhea is caused by an infection.Before you leave the vet's office, make sure you understand how to give your rat medication at home.They might inject your rat with medication for serious infections.Megacolon or colon cancer can't be cured with medications.Try to remember what's best for your pet.Putting it to sleep is better than letting it continue to suffer.
Step 9: Administer something.
Take the prescribed amount of medication and put it in the dropper.Put the dropper in the rat's mouth with one hand and hold its head and neck with the other.To inject the medication, squeeze the dropper's bulb and make sure you're past its teeth.When a rat has a medication on its back, never give it to it.If you hold it, it will face down or forward.The vet will prescribe medication if your rat has a disease.
Step 10: A small amount of antidiarrheal medicine should be given to your rat.
You could give your rat 1 drop of liquid antidiarrheal medication per ounce of body weight, or about a tenth of the recommended human dose.Use an eyedropper to give the medication.It's a good idea to consult the vet before giving your rat any over-the-counter medication.
Step 11: If your rat is on antibiotics, feed it a supplement.
Pets can be purchased at a pet supply store.Antibiotics kill gutbacteria that help regulate your rat's stomach.These healthybacteria will be helped by the presence of protists.It's a good idea to consult the vet before giving your rat food.Sprinkle a powdered supplement or empty the contents of a tablet onto your rat's food with their approval.If your rat is on antibiotics, it may be possible to relieve its symptoms.If your rat needs antibiotics to fight a disease, it can get its gut back to normal.