How Do You Medicate A Rat?

@Lolaze (5093)
St. Louis, Missouri
May 20, 2019 8:09pm CST
I’ve mentioned that i have nine rats before (stop laughing, I’m not crazy!). Four of those nine need twice daily medication. My three and a half year old girl is considered ancient for a rat and has chronic breathing issues - to the point she also gets squirted with my asthma inhaler if she’s really having problems. Two of my boys also have recurring respiratory infections. One nearly died right after I got him and spent quite a few days just laying on my chest. Thankfully, I noticed right when I got him that something wasn’t right and got him to the veterinarian. They said one more day without treatment and he wouldn’t have survived. My sick girl developed an ear infection while I was recently out of town, I can tell that due to her holding her head at a tilt. So to medicate them I must crush up a pill and dissolve it in liquid, then then take it via oral syringe. I’ve found a great little truck though since the medicine in just water is disgusting! I use almond milk instead of water. The rats actually fight over it and occasionally the healthy ones steal a drop or two. I’ve never seen critters so happy to take their medication.
9 people like this
10 responses
@LindaOHio (155961)
• United States
21 May 19
I'm glad you found a way for them to take their medication. How do you tell them apart?
2 people like this
@Lolaze (5093)
• St. Louis, Missouri
21 May 19
They each look totally different. Different colors, markings, etc. They also respond when called by name and have different personalities.
1 person likes this
@Lolaze (5093)
• St. Louis, Missouri
21 May 19
@LindaOHio oh yes, they are very smart
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (155961)
• United States
21 May 19
@Lolaze I wouldn't have thought that they would respond when called. Interesting.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85432)
• United States
21 May 19
Can you give CBD to rats?
2 people like this
@minx267 (15527)
• Hartford, Connecticut
22 May 19
I'm sure you could... I give it to my dog.
@wolfgirl569 (95042)
• Marion, Ohio
21 May 19
Glad you found something that works.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95042)
• Marion, Ohio
21 May 19
@Lolaze Your turtles sound like my roosters But I had the last laugh with them when I sold them.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (73326)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
21 May 19
That is such a cute rat in the photo. I am glad you have gotten them to take their medicine.
2 people like this
@Lolaze (5093)
• St. Louis, Missouri
21 May 19
That is my overgrown baby Splinter. He’s the biggest of them all but a huge scaredy cat and would spend every moment riding on my shoulder if I’d let him.
2 people like this
@DianneN (246578)
• United States
21 May 19
I hate to see any animal suffer. Glad you can help them.
1 person likes this
@Lolaze (5093)
• St. Louis, Missouri
21 May 19
My critters are quite spoiled.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246578)
• United States
21 May 19
@Lolaze They should be!
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
21 May 19
I am glad you are happy with your pets but for me a rat is not gonna be my pet, smelling rat pee is as bad as cat pee.
2 people like this
@Lolaze (5093)
• St. Louis, Missouri
21 May 19
Rat pee isn’t that bad. Now hamster pee...that is bad. My hamster is a stinky boy! Cute boy, but stinky boy.
2 people like this
@minx267 (15527)
• Hartford, Connecticut
22 May 19
I would say probably only way is to use a dropper/syringe. I used to have over 50 hamsters at one time... but I probably am a little crazy.
@jstory07 (134393)
• Roseburg, Oregon
21 May 19
You are doing good by getting them to take their medication.
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19273)
• Philippines
21 May 19
You are so patient caring for your rats.
1 person likes this
@Sojourn (13836)
• India
21 May 19
Interesting.... rats taking inhaler puffs... 21st century rodents, really.
1 person likes this