Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / August 2005

Well I wouldn't recommend force handling him. That'll only making the
problem worse. I also would recommend that you don't put your hands in
his cage. Let him come out on his own or on your shoulder.
Neutering can take up to 90 days for there to be changes but most times
it happens within two weeks.
Mites can not be detected simply by looking so I would do a mite
treatment just to be safe.
Being attacked by mites could make him more stressed.

Joanne
Owned by 16 rats

NDM, Joanne has some good advice.  I have personally not had an aggressive
rat, but I just wanted to say good for you for trying so hard for this
little guy.  Some people would get bitten on the second day and just give
up - he's lucky he has you!  I'll be interested to hear how his behavior
changes after the neutering takes effect.  I have read many times that this
makes all the difference.

Meghan

NDM, this poor little fella was traumatized.  That is something you can't
ever get him to forget.  Joanne is correct, don't put your hand in his cage.
Let him have a space that is his own territory, one where he knows he will
be completely safe from attack.  A safe haven.  Whether it's your hand or
another rat, it makes no difference to the little guy.  He gets freaked out
because he was traumatized by his cagemates.  He's not dumb though.  If you
stop yourself at his cage door and talk to him, give him treats -basically
let him know that when he hears the sound of your voice and sees you, that
something good will happen.   But the most effective option is to let him
come to you on his terms-it may take quite a while, but eventually you may
have a rat that you can bond with.  These little creatures are so precious
and sweet, it breaks my heart to hear of one so wounded.  You love that
little guy for me, okay?

Lisa

i'd give the neutering some time. i've had it take a month or so to
really show the effects in some of the bad boys i've had. i'd also
just be patient with him. don't force him. go to the cage and talk to
him softly and maybe offer him something soft and yummy on a spoon if
he'll take it. something that he can't grab and run but will have to
lick.

i'd also go ahead and treat him for mites even though none were seen.
we've scraped for mites, not found any, and gone ahead and treated
with ivermectin and the problem resolved. i don't even bother with
scraping anymore since it's so unreliable.

good luck!!

--
ban stupid people not dogs.
http://shattering.org
x-no-archive: yes in headers

I had a pair of male dumbos that bit me so bad that I have scars on my
hands. One of the boys took sick and we had to eventually have him PTS, none
of the medicine was working. After that happened, the other one went into a
depression - they were brothers. I tried to intro him into my male colony
but he got beat up so bad I had to pull him out.

I had him in a cage of his own, a nice 3 level, and made him a hidey box
with toys and goodies in it. He could come and go between the box and the
cage whenever he wanted. Every time I would walk by him I would give him a
treat and talk to him, but never tried to handle him. One day he just walked
over to me and put his face against my belly and started bruxing. I managed
to pet him and he didn't bite. It took a couple of months to get to this
stage. Eventually, about 2 months later, I took the plunge and tried to pick
him up without the glove on. He was a bit startled, but he didn't try to
bite.

It's been 5 months now and I can hold him and carry him around. He hasn't
tried to bite and I have given him a few cage mates so he has company. It
took time and patience and the fact that I was his only company. He wasn't
around any other rats, so I became his "cage mate."  I guess he needed me as
much as I needed to help him.

Take your time. He may never become a lovey rat, but you may be able to
handle him.

C.