Hi does anyone have pet rats,
I'd like to ask a few questions if you don't mind.
What do you use for the base of the cage?
What bedding do you use?
How often do you clean them out?
The reason I ask is We have 2 male rats, they are about 2yrs old, we've had other rats too.
We have never had a problem before, but the other day we noticed they both had open sores on they back feet. One had one and the other had one on each foot, which one of them seemed pretty swollen.
We took them to the vets, and were told it was caused by bacteria, The vet did say that they weren't that bad compared to some he'd seen, which I was pleased about because it made me think I wasn't caring for them properly. He asked the same questions that I'm asking.
I told him that I use a new-ish product on the bottom of the cage, I think it's called Stay Fresh, it looks like chewed up paper, I was advised by the bloke in the pet shop, that it was the best thing to use, it's for rats and other small rodents.
Even though it's quite new, I've still used it for long enough to know it hasn't caused problems before.
But the vet advised I change to something else. For the bedding I don't usually use the same thing every time, depends where I buy it from. Sometimes it's shredded paper, sometimes it's that shredded blue and white cloth, like Jayes cloth.
He also asked what I used to clean the cage,
I clean it with an anti bacteria spray specifically for cages.
He seemed to think everything I was doing was ok, but to change what I used for the base.
I personally don't thing that is the cause as I've used it long enough with no problems.
Anyway they both got an injection, and I was given some stuff to put in their water over a period of days. They have to go back Tuesday if they are no better. They doesn't seem to be any improvement to me.
Anyone had a similar problem.

Mitch

I used bio catelet - which is a paper based cat litter :) Will reply more later...

also - out of interest, do they have a mesh base on the cage?

The cage we've got is a proper rat cage, it is quite a big one on 3 levels.
It's all mesh really, each floor, and the runs thet lead up to each floor are mesh.
I read in a rat book that mesh wasn't good for their feet, so I took the mesh base out, which left just the metal tray. I also put hard board on the other 2 floor levels so it was better under foot. I had it the smooth side up, so it was more water proof and easier to clean. I have just got rid of that, incase it isn't cleaning properly and holding bacteria.
I used to use a wood base cat litter, before I changed to the other stuff, so I have now gone back to that.

Mitch.

Hi Mitch,
I currently have 9 rats, in two seperate large cages. I have used lots of different substrates, including shavings, carefresh, biocatolet and wood pellets. I have now changed back to shaving as i can get a huge bale for about £5, miles cheaper than other bedding. They all sneezed a little at first but are now ok and I've never had any other problems with it-makes sure its dust extracted though(may not seem like it but it can make all the difference.)
Can I ask if there are any shelves in the cage that are made of wire mesh? If these are not covered they can cause an infection called bumble foot(have a search on the web and you should be able to find a pic). The vets probably gave you Baytril, really the only thing that can be given to rats so if that doesn't work then vets usually don't know what to do. BTW well done for getting ur rats to 2, another one of mine is looking her age-fingers crossed that she will get better though.
For nest material I use shredded up paper(thanks Grannny!)and old pieces of material-hung up as hammocks but they usually chew them down and then use them as blankets! I haev also used that paper you mentioned, from pets at home?,but found it expensive for the amount I'd have to use!
I clean the cages thoroughly once a week, remove everyhting and depending on the weather take the cage outside and scrub it down with insecticidal shampoo(specially made for small animals and great as my boys seem to suffer from lice alot(hv been told its coz they pee on each other!)Then everyday  cahnge the litter trays, yes mine are litter trained!, and wipe the lino that covers the mesh shelves. Also change the paper as when it gets damp and smelly.
I hope this helps, I have kept rats for about 7 years and am an animal care student so I like to pass on my knowledge, especially concerning rats!
Keep us posted
Emily

Thanks Emily,
Care fresh was the stuff I used, just couldn't think of the name.
You'll seeby my above post that I have covered levels, but they still need to climb/run on mesh to get from level to level. Do you think that would cause a problem, but saying that , why now, they have been it that cage all their lives.
I did use shavings to start with, but found it very messy, and they are in my daughters bedroom.
Also we had a rat with lung problems once, and I heard that shavings were too dusty.
I tend to wipe over the shelves and change the bedding throughout the week, but I only totally empty the cage fortnightly. I empty it all out and stick it all in the bath, I spray it all with some sort of anti bacteria spray for cleaning cages etc, then I scrub it all down with hot water with the shower thing.
How do you litter train them, does this have to be done while they are babies.
We have had rats for a good few years too and never had this problem before.
Do you have males and females (seperate of course) if so would you say males smell stronger that females.
Where do you keep yours.

Mitch.

I have two rats it will be a year in December, both male. I also use shavings with no problem and the cage is cleaned with vinegar and water once a week. They are in a ferret/guinea pig/rabbit cage, its a fair size but no shelves. They do tend to climb the bars and run on their wheel but have never had a problem....

I do hope ur two get better, good luck :)

I use shavings at the bottom of my cage for my two rats, shredded tissue paper for their bedding. Had no problems with this substrate. Spot cleaned daily and cleaned out every one-two weeks depending on what the cage is like. I use a small animal disinfectant. I have a three floored cage, can house up to four-five rats, So blade and Star have plenty of room to play and run about.

Jenna

Hi Mitch,
I found litter training them was easy, although little Izzy still insists on sleeping in one of the litter trays when the older boys kick him out of bed!!!!
If you have a look round the cage you'll probably see they use a corner, or maybe 2 or 3, for most of their toiletting-this is the natural clean behaviour of a rat. All you need to do then is get some litter trays(I use the bottom of a large robinsons juice bottle, cut about 3 inches high), fill with something that isn't used any where else in the cage(I use paper cat litter-don't use clay cat litter though) and put some fresh poos and a bit of wet bedding in them. Then your guys should naturally start using them. Must admit the girls are cleaner, pooping and weeing in the trays but male rats being like they are still wee anywhere and everywhere but does make tidying up the cage alot easier.
My first pair of rats were females which is probably a good thing as they smell sweet compared to males and I may not have been allowed any more!! I have 4 girls and 5 boys and they boys are quite messy in their cage, the constant weeing makes the smell worse and they also have a strong body odour, which I like but is not appreciated by other members of the house, apart form the dogs! They are all currently in my bedroom, have always kept them in my room but with 2 it wasn't a problem but now with 2 huge cages, the messy shavings, cat litter, smell and noise(I mix dry pasta and cereal into their food which is very noisy when I'm trying to get to sleep!)Am hoping to get a rat chalet very soon!!
About the ladders, I personally leave them out, unless someone in the cage is struggling with age, or a growth. Rats adore climbing and the exercise will do them good and lack of ladders also means they can't linger on them which can lead to bumble foot, as I mentioned before. You could also try the wooden ladders that are made for parrots, expensive, hard to keep clean but better than the metal ones. Most plastic ladders are too small as they are made for mice or hamsters.
Hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions you might have, keep us posted,
Emily

I keep a TV box and taped up the sides to put under our rat cage to catch the shavings when they fall out, I also keep my hamster cages in a boot box, of course these are cut down, the sides are only high enough to keep the shavings in...Not sure if that made any sense I usually use the box the cages came in and those seem to work real well.

Hi Emily.
I'll definitely give the litter training a go. I have noticed they do poo more in one corner, but they seem to wee all over.
What do you advise I cover the mesh levels with. I did have hard board on them but I have binned that now as it was starting to keep the smell in, as I can't wash it properly.
What is a Rat chalet.

My cage base is about 3 inches deep, so I shouldn't have to much problems with the mess of shavings. When I first tried shavings it was in a different cage. I might give them another go, and use the cat litter that I have left for the litter tray.

Mitch.

Shavings is bad for their respritory (sp?) organs (u will notice them sneezing and coughing) and the mesh wire in their cages can cause bumble foot.
I would use a small amount of wood based cat litter or just ripped up paper and clean them out more often.

Donna and charliex

Hiya Mitch. I thought it sounded like bumblefoot too. Try using some vetbed for a while until there feet heal, thats what i use for my convalesing guinea pigs. :-)