I got a call yesterday from a fellow breeder, "I am heading home - my kitchen is on fire! I may need some help with the animals" I am kind of stunned so all I say is , "Okay, call me if you need me and I will be right over"  A few minutes pass and I face palm myself as I am calling her back, "Never mind that! I WILL be over as soon as I drop my daughter off at home."  

When I arrived there, the firetrucks were gone, the dogs were at the neighbor's home but the ratties were still inside. They still had inspectors inside and wouldn't let us go in to get any outside. When we were finally allowed inside we could see the soot all along the walls and covering the ceiling in the rat room. I kind of just stood there in shock for a few minutes amazed that there was no 'flame' damage except just in the kitchen (Koodos to an observant neighbor!) Soon I realized that these little guys had soot not only in their lungs but all over their bodies and cages.

After we did a quick look over everyone, getting two buckets and got got to work. One bucket was filled with hot water with a little dawn, the other just fresh hot water. Starting with the boys we began washing them off. After just 3 boys the water was BLACK.  We kept this up until all the rats (except for new mama's - see note below **) were completely clean. We left them wet not bothering to dry, knowing that it was warm and with grooming the extra clean water off it will help give them a bit more hydration. *What is amazing is we only had maybe 4 stress poops in these buckets after dozens of ratties were cleaned.  By the end of the evening I think 10 ratties were lost to the smoke inhalation. I am still a little fearful more may become ill from the smoke. 

Okay so why is this titled, The Rat Community?  I am getting there...... You see the rat community is a very unique one. It is one where you will experience support and encouragement from someone you have only talked to on fb or through emails from a website. It is a place where people of ALL backgrounds, religions, gender expression/identity, various ages, marital status, or disability can reach out to support an encourage each other, especially during their time of need. The LOVE of rats brings us all together.  I cannot believe how in less than two hours she had calls & messages of support and encouragement from others trying to help find homes for these rats. There is still such a need for homes for many of these guys. I know today we are even helping coordinate transport for several later this week 5 hours south. I am hoping there will be more people who can take some of these cuties over the next few days. 

Personally, I am not set up to have many more ratties in my home. However I have a empty TCN in my bedroom retreat for quarantine/ emergencies etc. I think this counts as an emergency!   I couldn't take a more than 3 separate cages of ratties. So of course I took 4 cages worth. The fourth is her heart rat in his own cage.  We got all the ratties settled in our home. (9 total) After giving everyone a cacao chip and lots of kisses we helped our friend and her son get settled in a hotel for the next 2 nights with their pups. 

I brought home several bags of hammocks/fleece to wash off. I could only sleep 2 hours, worry about ratties will do that to you.  In just a few hours, we will head back to the home to see what else we can do as she has more of an idea of what needs to be cleaned verses thrown away. That means I need to head back to bed for a bit!

Here is alink to an Update 

​
**Note -
except new mama's
** This is totally a miracle. All of the rats were in cages but these girls were in a tub rack. They were only separated from the fire by 6" of a wall. The opening to the kitchen was right along the edge of the tub rack. When I buried my face in those tubs I only smell rattie - no soot, no smoke.  The mamas had stuffed their babies into cups, bowls etc and buried them. They were not just nests but a new arrangement to protect the babies. 

How do our rats get their water?

We use glass water bottles. Changing the water every 2 days. We like the glass better than the plastic because we are able to sanitize them completely with boiling water every couple weeks. They are also dishwasher safe. With the small opening, I do not recommend using the dishwasher as the only way to clean your bottles.  A bottle brush works great for the weekly cleans. Make sure to wash the tube with a twisted pipe cleaner. Don't forget to wash the floater really well too! 

As many of you know finding a bottle that doesn't leak is important. The type we discovered we like best was Critter Ware. They have 10 oz and 26 oz glass water bottles to choose from. Due to the size of my mischief, I use four 26 oz and two 10 oz bottles.   They come with a handy floater inside to keep track of the water level. They also have great hardware to attach to the cage. The bottle has a completely flat side that makes it convenient to use either inside the cage or on the outside.  We found the larger bottles do stretch the 1/2 bars on our DCN, but they will fit if in the middle of the vertical lines.  The tube is able to twist around to be in the correct direction needed once the lid is put on tight.  At first when we put the bottles up, we get a few drops of water. Don't worry, this is just creating the vacuum to prevent further leaks. The washer in the bottle works really well at keeping them from leaking after the vacuum is created.  I know this because I forgot to put it in once!  What a wet mess!  Luckily, it was right after I cleaned cages. 

***When we switched to the larger bottles, one of our boys, OCRA Beast, didn't like the larger tube of the bigger bottle. To solve this, he simply pushes on the ball with his hand to fill it up, then drinks it from his hand.

Overall, I would rate the Critter Ware glass water bottles 5 out of 5 stars!    

(Links may not be the current cheapest around but will give you an idea of what we are talking about. All of the Amazon Smile links can benefit Best Friends Rodent Rescue. It is simple to set up - follow directions at the top of the Amazon for 'Amazon Smile' then find their non profit charity. Once you set it up, save a bookmark for every time you use Amazon)

I have been asked frequently what I have in my emergency Rat Kit box and where I have gotten things. I just now pulled it out and am going to list everything in here. (Links may not be the current cheapest around but will give you an idea of what we are talking about. All of the Amazon Smile links can benefit Best Friends Rodent Rescue. It is simple to set up - follow directions at the top of the Amazon for 'Amazon Smile' then find their non profit charity. Once you set it up, save a bookmark for every time you use Amazon)

• Kitchen Gram Scale
  • This gets the most use out of everything in our kit. We track everyone’s weights weekly. Pregnant mom’s and under 2 week old babies daily.
• Syringes in different sizes
  • .5, 1ml and 5ml are what we use most often - A great thing to do when young is to fill a syringe with honey water and feed the rat this as a treat. They will then know yummies come from the thing that may hold medicine one day.
• Dark Chocolate chips
  • We give these to our ratties once a week as a treat along with being great to use when they are having a little myco flair up. The dark cacao contains theobromine with is a natural chemical that helps stimulates the cardiovascular system. It also contains theophylline, this relaxes the lungs and opens the air passages making it easier to breathe. Together they help the rat be able to breathe better.
• Cool mist Humidifier
  • The best humidity for a rat’s environment is at least 50%
• Coconut oil
  • We use coconut oil for just about anything. It is amazing for dry skin, and feeding those that need just a little more.
• Saline Wash
  • We like this formula but just the liquid in a squeeze bottle works fine
• Baytril
  • Do not refrigerate this. Once opened VERY short shelf life.
• Amoxicillin
  • 250 mg
• Doxycycline
  • 100 mg
• Benadryl
  • Capsules also work great.
• Infant Ibuprofen
  • You can substitute children’s but you will have to give them A LOT more. Often not easy when not feeling well.
• Styptic Powder
  • Cornstarch works really well too!
• Cotton Balls and Q-tips
  • NEVER put anything into the rats ear. Only use to clean along the outside
• Extra Fleece
  • Try to buy remnants this will save you a lot of money!
• Salted Caramel Torani Coffee Syrup
  • We have tried several flavors but find that our ratties prefer this flavor over all others
• Revolution
  • We treat all of our ratties 4 times a year to coordinate with our litters leaving and shows. This gives both those babies in their new homes with new bedding etc and the ones we bring to the shows a bit of protection from picking something up.
• Airtight containers for mixed meds
  • We really like the spice jars for this
• Stethoscope
  • Many hold a rat to their ear to see how lungs sound but once you use a stethoscope you will understand the need for one. The air flowing through the lungs in a healthy rattie will sound like a whoosh whoosh like wind blowing. In a rat that is fighting something you will still hear the healthy whoosh noise but may also hear crackles, wheezes, squeaking, clicking or other things that do not belong.
• Pedialyte
  • Love that this comes in powder now! No more having to freeze the extra in ice cube trays.
• Flashlight
  • A good led light to see things - phones lights are great but I often need the light held by someone while I am trying to take a good picture to send to the vet or ask on RRWK fb group.
• Fingernail clippers
  • We use just regular clippers to trim the ratties before adoption and before shows
• Eyedroppers
  • Do not use these very often but have to flush out a small wound.
• Peroxide
  • Used very sparingly. Always diluted
• Socks with Toes cut off
  • These come in handy when dealing with a rat that is scared/hurt to protect my hands and arms. I have also used it to put on a rat to keep them still while I cleaned a wound.
• Apple Cider Vinegar
  • We use this in our water bottles along to clean off the cage.
• Scissors
  • Small, sharp are always a must!
• Tweezers
  • A good pair is hard to not loose!
• Heating Pad
  • You can also stuff rice into an old sock and heat it up in microwave.
• Wire Cutters
  • For a rattie stuck in the cage (it happens)
• Emergency cage
  • for transport to vet/or separating the injured. Often use a cage carrier or one of our show boxes
• Can of Pumpkin
  • This is used when we are treating with antibiotics. It really helps with their stools.
• Bene-Bac Probiotic
  • We give this to our weaning ratties along with the mama. We also use this after a round of antibiotics.
• Baby Food in Jars
  • Always good to have ‘just in case’ you need to supplement a rat that needs just a bit more
• Neosporin
  • Very rarely do we use this on the rats - often it ends up expired and never opened.
• Raw Honey
  • There are so many different types of honeys. It is great to use on small wounds. Also to make sweet water to teach the ratties how to lick from a syringe.
• Vetericyn Utility Gel
  • We LOVE this stuff. It has been used on all of our animals from rats, chickens to dogs and horses
• Soy Formula for Babies
  • There are many different types of this. I have not found any without iron (that is what is recommended for orphaned ratties) I use this mixed with powdered rat block to feed not only our babies but the older ratties that are needing a bit of calories.
• Mini Miracle Nipples
  • We just discovered these and love them!

If you are wanting even more ideas of what to add to your own Rat Kit check out Real Rat Lovers Want to Know fb group. They have a more detailed list in their files. You can also look at The Rat Guide which has helpful information for your veterinarian along with a detailed emergency kit listed.