Basic First Aid

Here is some first aid information. Me and mommy are continuing to add to it, so more is coming!

**Please remember that us at Fatty Ratty are not vets. The purpose of the first aid section is to give you ideas and advice. If your rat(s) is injured, please take it to the vet immediatly.

First aid supplies

~Surgical Tape
~Gauze
~Cotton balls & swabs
~bandage tape
~Distilled water for mixing up medication into a liquid
~Nolvosan antiseptic solution or ointment (wound care)
~Peroxide
~Betadine
~Lactated Ringer’s solution (hydrating)

Instruments for first aid

~Fingernail clippers
~ Tweezers
~Cat claw scissors (single tooth trimming)
~Eyedropper
~Syringe- 12 cc Monoject curved tip (wound care)
~Syringe- 1 cc without needle (oral medications)

Non-prescription meds

~Children’s or Infants’ Tylenol
~Vet RX (eases congestion)
~Styptic pencil or powder (stops bleeding)
~Antibiotic ointment
~Activated Charcoal (poisoning)
~Ivermectin oral paste (parasites)
~Nolvosan antiseptic solution or ointment (wound care)
~Bach’s Rescue Remedy (anxiety and shock)

Prescription drugs (From vet)

~Zithromax (antibiotic)
~Silvadine (topical for burns and wound care)
~Lasix (furosemide/diuretic)
~Aminophylline or Theophylline (bronchodilator)
~Banamine (pain reliever/anti inflammatory injection)
~cefadroxcil (antibiotic)
~Animax (anti inflammatory ear ointment)
~Terramycin or Vetropolycin (eye ointment)
~Doxycycline (antibiotic)
~Baytril (antibiotic)

Nutrition

~Soy formula for babies (infants)
~Jar of baby food (pablem)
~Nuti-cal
~Ensure

Equipment for meds and more

~Scale (for weighing)
~Pill crusher
~Stethoscope (listening to lungs)
~Nebulizer
~Humidifier
~Heating pad
~Carrier

Referances to the Rat Guide. Thank you, Rat Guide for such wonderful information & Help!

Rats can be picky when it comes to first aid

Most rats will take off their Elizabethan collar. If they don't like it, don't expect to find them sitting nicely with it on. I know I Wouldn't like it.
Rats don't really like bandages. Most rats will find a way to take them off. My dad had a bandage once and he put up with it for 2 days until he finally yelled "GGRR! This is itchy!" and ripped it off. come to think of it, he yelled alot when he ripped it off too...
I like my skin soft. But don't put mousturizers on me that are toxic because i will lick them off when i groom...which is alot.

Rat proofing to prevent accidents

Seal off all cords, crevices, holes and heat vents.
Get all other pets away, especially birds...yum...birds...
Shut all doors to the room. Unless you want me to escape!
Keep all room freshners and deoderizers away from your rats. We could chew one and get sick.
Be careful where you step. You don't want to step on ME!
Get all plants out of the room. Alot of plants can poison me including some holiday plants like: poinsettia, misletoe, holly...etc.

How is my house?

Keep the cage away from drafts..i could catch a cold.

Secure the door shut. I know quite a few escapees...

Use a safe bedding for your cage. NO PINE/CEDAR BEDDING.

Have good ventalation. Rat urine will quickly turn into amonia which is harmful to our ratty lungs.

Don't use galvanized wire for your cage. If your ratties chew alot they could get zinc poisoning. Be sure to use some kind of coated cage. (non-toxic coat)

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