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 #1851393


Aruchu
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 Uh...

I dunno what’s wrong, but my rat, Rex has REALLY bad diarrhea. Could it be starting symptoms of wet tail? I have a vet appointment scheduled but it’s not for another two weeks.
Is there anything I can do for him in that time period to ensure that he’s okay?

He’s been separated from the colony into a large Super Pet cage with aspen shavings, plenty of water and lab blocks. I gave him an igloo with a towel over it so he has a nice, dark place to rest.
Is it possible that he’ll get better on his own?

He’s always had a problem with diarrhea... the vets always told me that it was pretty normal for rats and it has never been this extreme.
Help?
09/04/08  06:10pm

 #1851435


Rebecca Wright
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   Message To: Aruchu   In reference to Message Id: 1851393


 Uh...

I have never had a rat with diarrhea problems.... cant say its normal at all... hmmm... has he eaten anything he doesnt usually eat? or more of something than usual? and no one else is sick? it kinda depends on why he has diarhea as to whether or not he gets better on his own.... but I wouldnt panic yet... as long as he eats/drinks/behaves normal its not an emergency yet... hopefully someone comes along with better advice :) gl!
09/04/08  06:45pm

 #1851574


Skullkeeper
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   Message To: Aruchu   In reference to Message Id: 1851393


 Uh...

Try feeding hard cheese like Cheddar and some cooked hamburger with rice cook in it .That should help. I would find another vet . He could be dehydrated and dead in two weeks .
09/04/08  08:28pm

 #1851583


Skullkeeper
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   Message To: Aruchu   In reference to Message Id: 1851393


 Uh...

Hamburger with rice cooked in it should help. You can also give a spoonful of a good quality yogurt . Diarrhea is not normal for a rat . I would defiantly find another vet right away . An animal that small can become dehydrated very quickly even if he is drinking water . If you need help finding a vet let me know . There are some listed on this site .
09/04/08  08:39pm

 #1851683


Lovetheleo
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   Message To: Skullkeeper   In reference to Message Id: 1851583


 Uh...

yes do what the others have said

also wet tail is diareah and yes i would try to see if you can find a new vet if he gets worse dont wait for his actual visit
09/04/08  09:34pm

 #1851797


Ammeratsu
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   Message To: Lovetheleo   In reference to Message Id: 1851683


 Uh...

I thought rats couldn’t have dairy products like cheese...
09/04/08  11:30pm

 #1851945


Skullkeeper
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   Message To: Ammeratsu   In reference to Message Id: 1851797


 Uh...

I do not normally feed cheese but Cheddar has a binding effect . It might help with the diarrhea .



09/05/08  09:39am

 #1851991


Lovetheleo
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   Message To: Skullkeeper   In reference to Message Id: 1851945


 Uh...

yes the cheese thing is true

you can also try REALLY REALLY burnt toast like BLACK it helps with diareah
09/05/08  11:58am

 #1852049


Skullkeeper
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   Message To: Lovetheleo   In reference to Message Id: 1851991


 Uh...

I have heard that burnt toast will help diarrhea but I had forgotten about it . Its worth a try since most rats love toast . It wont hurt thats for sure .
09/05/08  01:45pm

 #1852062


Aruchu
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   Message To: Skullkeeper   In reference to Message Id: 1852049


 Uh...

Alright, thanks for the help. : )
I gave him yogurt. I’ll try the burnt toast thing if he doesn’t get better.
09/05/08  02:07pm

 #1852237


Manderzratz
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   Message To: Aruchu   In reference to Message Id: 1852062


 Uh...

you could also give him rolled oats like the quaker kind.



09/05/08  05:54pm

 #1852396


Lovetheleo
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   Message To: Manderzratz   In reference to Message Id: 1852237


 Uh...

if you do make sure they are not instant oats

also you can give him a shredded wheat not frosted obviously lol
09/05/08  09:24pm

 #1852488


Manderzratz
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   Message To: Lovetheleo   In reference to Message Id: 1852396


 Uh...

yeah i don’t use the instant ones. but i mix oats into their cereal mixes so i have it on hand and it’s helped me before when my rat got sick.
09/06/08  12:14am

 #1852616


Skullkeeper
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   Message To: Manderzratz   In reference to Message Id: 1852237


 Uh...

Do NOT feed oats of any kind . They will swell in the stomach and intestinal tract. Its just to dangerous in my opinion.Plus oats has a lot of fiber in it . That could increase the diarrhea not help it .You do not want to add fiber or roughage to his diet .
09/06/08  08:42am

 #1852634


Manderzratz
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   Message To: Skullkeeper   In reference to Message Id: 1852616


 Uh...

...i always feed my guys oats. have never had a problem and it has never caused diarrhea. when i took a constipated rat to the vet he said no cereal no oats, but roughage. so don’t you think oats would not help constipation? meaning that they could help diarrhea? i don’t understand why oats would be bad. many many people feed oats as a cereal mix ingredient to their ratties.
09/06/08  09:09am

 #1852637


Manderzratz
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   Message To: Manderzratz   In reference to Message Id: 1852634


 Uh...

suebee’s diet from the site itself-(as a mix ingredient)-1/2 to 1 lb. dry rolled oats
Quaker is fine, but may be more expensive; I buy mine in the bulk bin at the supermarket. Keep in mind that oatmeal is binding, so too much can cause constipation problems.
so seeing as it is binding and causes constipation, not diarrhea, i don’t understand what you mean.
09/06/08  09:13am

 #1852928


Skullkeeper
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   Message To: Manderzratz   In reference to Message Id: 1852637


 Uh...

The reason they say it can cause constipation is because it swells in the stomach and intestines . It can actually explode the stomach and/or cause intestinal blockage (impaction).That’s why I said it is to dangerous in my opinion .



09/06/08  03:47pm

 #1852989


Manderzratz
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   Message To: Skullkeeper   In reference to Message Id: 1852928


 Uh...

i’m not saying you’re wrong now, but where do you get this info because i have never read this at all and my vet has not EVER mentioned this and he’s great with my animals.
09/06/08  04:58pm

 #1853227


Lovetheleo
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   Message To: Manderzratz   In reference to Message Id: 1852989


 Uh...

the stuff that swells inside the stomache is the instant oats b/c they are made to soak up water very quikley the regular rolled oats will not swell up inside his body so they are perfectly safe



09/06/08  09:44pm

 #1853498


Skullkeeper
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   Message To: Manderzratz   In reference to Message Id: 1852989


 Uh...

From personal experience and my vet . I had a rabbit die years ago from eating oats . The animal not only has water in the stomach but also stomach acid .Both increases the size of the oats . I would not feed any type of oats .A small amount may be okay but like I said , I would not chance it . Rats can eat so many types of foods I just think that there is no need to feed some thing that is potentially harm full.

By the way , how is the rat doing ? Has the diarrhea stooped ?
09/07/08  08:34am

 #1853506


Manderzratz
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   Message To: Skullkeeper   In reference to Message Id: 1853498


 Uh...

rabbits CAN’T eat oats. or guinea pigs. mine never do. they’re not made to get those kinda carbs. but i have never had a problem feeding it to my rats or mice...
09/07/08  09:02am


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