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!
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