Why do I even go in pet shops!? or pass me a lollypop Part 2

[ShadowWolf]

maybe i should post this somewhere else, and i don't know the situation of the other rats, but I was speaking to my vet (specializes in exotics and cares for many rats) and i was told that if i got any more girls, to quarantine for at least 30 days because my other girls were exposed to an URI from another rat that i had previously, I've never heard of two months for an introductory quarantine, that just seems a little much, I've always heard 2 weeks-30 days, maybe there is something that i'm missing here?

The reason for strict quarantine measures like what is listed are because of the vicious viral outbreaks that pet rats are exposed to at pet stores and other situations.  Regardless of where a pet rat (or rats) is purchased from - be it a responsible breeder, a reputable rescue or a pet store - a MINIMUM quarantine of three weeks should be done at a seperate, non-rodent living household.  This is to ensure that the new rat doesn't get the residents sick and vice versa.  The cost, both emotional and monetary, of going through a virus such as SDA or Sendai is horrid.  I know first hand and wouldn't wish it on my worst enemies. 

What has occured on this thread (and the previous one about Emily) is highly frowned upon.  It's the reason that quarantine is hammered into each and every newbie.  The previous thread Mauve brought home a rat who was obviously sick into her home and to her rats.  That was a very dangerous move for the lives of her resident rats and the reason she was hammered so hard in this one - even though she stated that the rat is quarantined at her boyfriend's home.

[lilspaz68]

Does Maeve know that even if the rat is QT with her bf if she goes to visit him and sees her blue rat, that she shouldn't go near her rats for 3 hours afterwards?  The SDA virus lives outside of its host for that long, on your clothes, in your mucus membranes in your nose, etc. 
Or if her bf comes to visit her he has to be away from the rat for 3 hours before going to see Maeve and her residents?

[ShadowWolf]

Does Maeve know that even if the rat is QT with her bf if she goes to visit him and sees her blue rat, that she shouldn't go near her rats for 3 hours afterwards?  The SDA virus lives outside of its host for that long, on your clothes, in your mucus membranes in your nose, etc. 
Or if her bf comes to visit her he has to be away from the rat for 3 hours before going to see Maeve and her residents?

Thank you for bringing this up!  I should have touched on it, but I didn't think about it myself since I do it. 

[MaevePotter]

Does Maeve know that even if the rat is QT with her bf if she goes to visit him and sees her blue rat, that she shouldn't go near her rats for 3 hours afterwards?  The SDA virus lives outside of its host for that long, on your clothes, in your mucus membranes in your nose, etc. 
Or if her bf comes to visit her he has to be away from the rat for 3 hours before going to see Maeve and her residents?

 yep thanks for bringing it up spaz. Yes I do do that or I shower/wash/change clothes before I come anywhere near my rats. Thanks for the concern.

Also FOR THE RECORD... If I thought Emily was contagious I wouldn't have brought her home, I just thought she had a sniffle like Piper has had before which aren't really contagious since all rats have myco in their systems. It was an honest mistake.

[menagerie]

...It's just safer - especially if you are a breeder/plan to breed.

Also, just so you know, I am not planning to breed anytime soon. I have decided to wait until I have more spare time, as this year I am completing 1 of my majors and finishing many other big things. I am taking over the full load in the fall. So All of that is on hold for at least 6 months to whenever at this point. I have decided just to enjoy my rats. Hence the pet shop purchases, because I really don't need to worry about having pedigreed animals at the moment.

Am I the only one that finds it offensive that if you had pedigreed rats you would have bothered with a quarantine? Every animal deserves the courtesy of not being exposed to possible disease.

Also FOR THE RECORD... If I thought Emily was contagious I wouldn't have brought her home, I just thought she had a sniffle like Piper has had before which aren't really contagious since all rats have myco in their systems. It was an honest mistake.

A quarantine should be in place for EVERY animal you bring into your home whether you suspect them of being contagious or not. You've been an active member of this community long enough that this really can't be considered an honest mistake. You were just hoping for the best, which is not good enough.

[Rat girl]

I dont really want you to think i'm nagging, BUT at the same time this is very important...i'm not trying to harrass you.

For one, your girl very well could have SDA.  Just becuase she isnt showing ALL the symptoms means nothing, not a thing.  This is very important to know! You should QT until ALL her symptoms are gone, and then even longer after that.  Just because she only has a few of the sympoms is not a reason to take risks.

Just make sure when your handling the seperate groups of rats, to wash hands and change clothes.  This is important.

On the time of QT issue, i QT for FOUR weeks, even if there isnt a single sniffle or sneeze.  I dont care, i'd rather take the time to QT and do it right, than make one slip and cause all my rats pain and suffering.

I'm glad your taking the imformation in good humor, we are just trying to help.  I've never had anything run through my rattery, but i've also did my best to keep it from happening, and so far so good!

[MaevePotter]

...It's just safer - especially if you are a breeder/plan to breed.

Also, just so you know, I am not planning to breed anytime soon. I have decided to wait until I have more spare time, as this year I am completing 1 of my majors and finishing many other big things. I am taking over the full load in the fall. So All of that is on hold for at least 6 months to whenever at this point. I have decided just to enjoy my rats. Hence the pet shop purchases, because I really don't need to worry about having pedigreed animals at the moment.

Am I the only one that finds it offensive that if you had pedigreed rats you would have bothered with a quarantine? Every animal deserves the courtesy of not being exposed to possible disease.

You misunderstood me. I meant, that I probably don't have to do the 2 month quarantine thing because I am not being held up to the standards of a breeder, who has to be extra careful since their rats go to other homes. Thus I can stick to the normal 3 week quarantine (possibly more depending on the rate of her recovery). So please don't accuse me of things before you know what I meant. Honestly, I really like coming on the forum, but you guys can be really you-know-whaty sometimes. I know there are a lot of girls on here, but lets try not to let snideness run rampant. There are ways to communicate without being mean about it.

And lets face it... even if my animals did get sick from this mistake, I would hope you all know me by my posts well enough to know I would be right on it, and get them to the vet the moment I noticed a problem. Not that I am trying to justify it, but just want to let you know that I would never just let them die. I would treat early and aggressively. A responsible breeder known in the rat community has done much worse, basically let their rats die without helping them, and has been forgiven. So lets not make mountains out of molehills. I have said it was wrong, I am sorry, and I have taken steps to rectify it with this new baby girl by keeping her away. In the meantime I am monitoring Emily and all the rats have a vet appointment next monday. What more do you want from me?

[MaevePotter]

I dont really want you to think i'm nagging, BUT at the same time this is very important...i'm not trying to harrass you.

For one, your girl very well could have SDA.  Just becuase she isnt showing ALL the symptoms means nothing, not a thing.  This is very important to know! You should QT until ALL her symptoms are gone, and then even longer after that.  Just because she only has a few of the sympoms is not a reason to take risks.

Just make sure when your handling the seperate groups of rats, to wash hands and change clothes.  This is important.

On the time of QT issue, i QT for FOUR weeks, even if there isnt a single sniffle or sneeze.  I dont care, i'd rather take the time to QT and do it right, than make one slip and cause all my rats pain and suffering.

I'm glad your taking the imformation in good humor, we are just trying to help.  I've never had anything run through my rattery, but i've also did my best to keep it from happening, and so far so good!

Thanks for your advice rat girl, I will keep it in mind.

[MaevePotter]

By the way... considering the fact that I was willing to go out and buy 26 dollars worth of herbs on top of vet and medication to help make my rat better, and to stregthen the other ones immune systems, you better be sure I am a good pet owner! 

[SophiesHouseRescueNJ]

MaevePotter-
I think you are overreacting.. everyone on this board is just giving you advice
and it was very irresponsible for you not to QT your last rattie..
I hope all this advice being given to you is not getting read and blown off.. It is really important to QT all rats properly!

[MaevePotter]

MaevePotter-
I think you are overreacting.. everyone on this board is just giving you advice
and it was very irresponsible for you not to QT your last rattie..
I hope all this advice being given to you is not getting read and blown off.. It is really important to QT all rats properly!

GOOD GOD. Did you read all the things I just posted? I KNOW. Enough ok? It is not overreacting when everyone assumes the worst of you and puts ideas into your mouth. Not to mention the constant nagging of everyone and their brother coming to say not quarantining is bad, shame! Just give it a rest. I get it! Its not like you have added any info that wasn't already here. Some people have given advice with good feelings and concern behind it and to them I am grateful (thank you! you know who you are!). Several others including you are simply here to feel self righteous and to scold me. It is sociologically demonstrated that people take power from defaming others, so go ahead, grab your little piece and be gone. I have apologised and righted what I can. It is over. Most of all, I have let you all see what I am doing. Do you think if I was really trying to hide my actions I would tell you all any of this? I have admitted what I have done wrong. At least I am not pretending to do everything right. Do you realize that if I, or anyone else wanted to, they could claim to do everything right and really be doing just what they want to. At least give me a little credit for honesty and admitting my mistakes.

Can we go back to talking about how cute my rat is now that you all can be well assured I have learned from my mistakes?

[Marybelle]

The end.