Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / August 2007

I was wondering your guys' opinion on this whole vet thing.  I currently have
three other friends (who live near me) that have rats, and they all take care
of their pets differently, which is causing me some greif/concern.  Here are
the current points of view that my friends have.

Friend 1 does not take her pets to the vets.  Her rat, Moe, has Cedar bedding,
no toys, has one little hut that he doesnt fit in, and lives alone.

Friend 2 does not take his pets to the vet.  His rats (he has 2) sleep in
appropriate bedding and has toys and other chew items.  

Friend 3 takes her pets to the vet on a extreemly consistant basis.  She will
take them to the vet for anything that seems off (and the vet seems to just
give the rat the same meds no matter what my friend thinks is wrong).  The
rat lives a great life, and has a whole room to live in, but no rat friends.

Me: I take my rats to the vet when I notice that something has changed and it
starts to worry me (nose and eyes red, excessive sneezing when nothing has
changed enviroment wise, sleeping too much, so on).  They have a nice three
story house to live in and have different types of food to eat (fresh veggies,
baby food, mixed rat food, lab blocks and sometimes other treats such as
crackers, peanuts, yogurt), lots of toys (balls with bells in them, tubes to
crawl through) chew sticks both hanging and in the cage.  They have three
huts so that they have different homes to sleep in and a hammoc to sleep in
when they choose to.  Most of my friends wish that they lived the life of my
rats.  

Here is the problem.  As mean as it sounds I am tired of stressing out about
my rats.  A big part of me wishes i could have the attitude that friend 1 has
where she doesnt stress.  Now, I would not change a lot of the things I do
with my rats such as buying them lots of special healthy treats and special
toys.  I just wish I didnt worry so much about every little thing.  As mean
as this sounds, she doesnt know much about rats... she doesnt know that cedar
is terrible for them (though he smells amazing because of it)... she doesnt
know anything about the red noses or anything.  And its not because she
doesnt care, its just that i am so much of a freak about researching, and in
a way, its because I have become such good friends with all of you... but its
the same burden that a doctor has when they have children, they have the
burden of knowing things that can happen.  When I got rats I had no money
problems, but now I cant afford to take them to the vet, which makes me feel
like a terrible owner.  I love them to peices, and I want the best for them,
I hope you all know that, but I dont know where to draw the line.  

Okay, so I kinda ranted there, but I needed to get it off my chest... I guess
what I am wanting to know from you guys is where do you draw the line?  What
is the point where you say, okay I need to go to the vet, and what is the
point where you play the wait and see game?  

Also, I have one other series of questions for you.  I live in Missouri, USA..
. which has been under a massive heat warning (near 105 degrees before the
heat index).  My apartment has been at a constant 74-77 degrees.  But I have
noticed a huge difference in my boys.  Since I added the addition they do
nothing but sleep.  Is it possible that they are depressed since they dont
have to be together all the time, or is it possible that though the temp of
my apartment hasnt changed, they know that its way hotter outside and it
makes them more tired?  Also, I notice that they have split up the new set up
of the house.  Before they had 1 1/2 floors (the base floor, and a shelf that
they ate off of, and a hammoc).  I added a whole floor (where I put one of
their three huts) and another bigger shelf where they eat their treats.
Scoot stays in the bottom section (usually in the hammoc) and Scat sleeps on
the new level.  Any ideas?  Do you guys notice your guys sleeping more when
the temp changes outside?  

Sorry that I am talking so much.  I guess I'm pretty lonely and since I have
these rashes I'm not playing with the boys as much, and its hard on me, and
them.  Thanks for any help you guys give me, and really for reading this if
you actually read it all.