The ultimate irony....

[Ali]

For 4 weeks I struggled and wept as I tried to get my boys to take baytril. This time round I've found the knack.

We went back to the vet's tonight (yep, I found the courage to face Rory) - they've made a little bit of progress, though Fly and Badger are still a bit sneezy. Roger has never sneezed much at all but was dosed with baytril in the past mainly because I could only administer it in shared food. Well, he's got the all clear so he's off the baytril now, whilst Badger and Fly are carrying on for another 10 days.

The irony is that, now that they've got their little med-taking routine, I can't leave Roge out. I had to pretend I was giving him medicine tonight 'cos he started getting terribly upset and tried to nick the others' meds.

Rats eh. You've got to laugh or you'd cry.

[Louise]

Hee hee, know what you mean Ali.  I have the opposite problem with Willow.  Every time I take her out on her own she gets suspicious and picks at anything I give her, this morning I got all four girls out and gave them all something - only Willow's was laced.  
I'm sure she looked at the others and thought "must be ok if they are eating it!"

Any favourite spots in Bristol?

[Ali]

When I first gave them meds I'd only had them a week or so and they freaked if I tried to separate them. Now they're just so happy to get food on their own without having to fight with the others (especially yoghurt!). Small problem though..... I gave Roger his bowl on the bed (as that's where he was) rather than the cage 'cos it wasn't important if the others tried to nab some. He was so excited there is now a big pee-stain on the bed.

Big question - can I be bothered to change the sheets or do I pretend it's not there??!!!

Gosh, I haven't been to Bristol for years now except for the Causeway (?) for shopping a couple of times, and to some club (can't remember the name!) for my sister's hen night. To be honest I prefer Bath - no offence! Only 'cos it's smaller and I know my way around better (handy when you don't enjoy shopping, which I don't! <-- unless it's petshops! )

Do you come 'home' much?

[Louise]

Hee hee, I know what you mean about the bed!  All our ratties come up there for play time now and then. -- well, most nights.  They all eat crackers up there so we end up with a bed full of crumbs.  David woke up to find a raisin (not the grapey kind), under his pillow one morning!

I don't get back to England much, that visit was my first since we came to Canada in 1980 - yipes!  that sounds like a LONG time ago!

[Melanie]

I must have the only ratties in the world that fight over their dose of medicine straight out of the syringe!    I give all seven a dose in the morning and in the evening and the only fight is to fight off the others while one is drinking the med's. Takes me about two minutes to dose all seven.  They think it is candy.  Both the Doxy and Batril!  Funny little boys I have!

[amymckee]

I always give plain bread out to the other girls first. The ones who get medicine can't stand it that they dont have a piece, and they grab their bread and eat it as fast as they can. If I dont give others bread, the sick ones lose interest and stash it. Use rat psychology to your advantage!