Tomato's

[Ratticus Rattus esq.]

They all love them and the cherry tomato's are 'just right' for the
young ones. 8^)
--
Keith

[SteveR]

Really? None of our three like tomatoes very much. There isn't much they
won't eat, but they'll barely pick at tomatoes, and we wind up having to
take the remains out of the cage. Oddly, they do seem to like lettuce.
Our vet told us that she'd heard of some who loved cilantro!

[Ratticus Rattus esq.]

LOL! Like people, rats know what they like and only eat what they
don't like if starving. 8^)

[eggybongo]

"Ratticus Rattus esq." <steven...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:4b0fd4b0-391f-4812...@d9g2000prh.googlegroups.com...

Our fourteen lads love most food, but their favourite, without any doubt, is
crabsticks. They go mad for them, and handing them out is a shark-like
feeding frenzy.

Rice pudding is another popular choice among the lads.

[SteveR]

eggybongo wrote:

> Our fourteen lads love most food, but their favourite, without any
> doubt, is crabsticks. They go mad for them, and handing them out is a
> shark-like feeding frenzy.
>
> Rice pudding is another popular choice among the lads.

Our three girls are really fond of shrimp and any kind of fish, but
we've never tried giving them crab. Fruit yogurt is awfully high on
their list, too. We always leave a bit for them and let them lick out
the containers.

Fourteen ratties? That must be quite a handful! I'd think that
cage-cleaning day alone would be daunting enough, not to mention vet bills.

[Nemo]

I am new to this group so I hope I don't break any protocol.

We have a male rat about a year and a half old. He never seemed to have
good vision. It is our first male rat. We've had 3 females in the past.

In any case, he seems to have developed an ooze around his right eye. It's
red. It appears to be to liquid to be blood. He doesn't seem to be in any
pain nor does it seem to have changed him but it just looks bad. Has any of
you had experience with this? Is it a symptom which will keep getting worse
(or go away spontaneously)?

Any help would be appreciated. Please reply to the group.

Thank you.

Skip

[Andrea]

"Nemo" <myo...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:DMRLm.36335$%j4.2...@newsfe18.iad...

Hi Skip. Welcome to the group. :)

What you're describing sounds like porphryn. It is a mucus rats secrete if
they are not feeling good, be it stress related or illness. In itself, it's
not something to worry about if it's not frequent, but if it continues you
should investigate why he's getting it. Does the eye itself look ok? No
soreness or cloudiness? How's his breathing? Does he make rattling noises?
Does he have a cagemate? It would most likely be stress from loneliness if
he's alone.

Andrea

[BarFam]

Thank you, Andrea. I have been stealthing the group for awhile from another
computer until I get this one set up (and I did today).

I am grateful to say no one has noticed any types of respiratory problems or
physical problems (though he has gained some weight) and he is alone now so
it must be the stress. I appreciate your response.

Thanks again.

Skip
"Andrea" <andwher...@nospamhotmail.com> wrote in message
news:mLULm.4031$iN1....@newsfe21.ams2...

[SteveR]

I'd like to second what Andrea says: It's almost certainly porphyrin,
and the most common cause is a respiratory infection, probably a
mycoplasma. If your pet makes squeaky or peeping noises when he breaths,
then it's virtually certain this is the cause. In any event, the stress
is more likely physical (sickness) than psychological (e.g., having
aggressive cagemates). He should really be seen by a vet.

[Nemo]

Thanks, Steve.

I have been having more computer problems with the newsgroups and have now
got it working again.

Bernard (our pet rat) is nearly two years old and has put quite a bit of
weight on. (Haven't we all as we've gotten older.) He makes no sqeaking
noise nor does his respirations seem to be affected at all. He seems to
have energy to scoot around OK when he's given the opportunity to do so. He
likes to "nest" more than when he was younger (he could hardly hold still)
and will let you pet him when before he wouldn't. I just attributed it to
him getting older. He is our fourth rat (the others were females and died
of tumors.)

Anyway, thanks for the help. I will let my son know that Bernard should see
a vet.

Thanks again.

Skip
"SteveR" <st...@noplace.be> wrote in message
news:vljMm.3$Pi...@newsfe08.ams2...

[Dave Baxter]

Ratticus Rattus esq. wrote:

> LOL! Like people, rats know what they like and only eat what they
> don't like if starving. 8^)

My most recent rattie, Peanut, used to love almost any kind of vegetable
or fruit! Loved pasta, too! She used to eat far more human food than
rattie food, tho if she was in the mood she would demolish anything in
her food bowl...!

Dave
--
(remove spamblock or reply to group)