Whether your rat injured themselves or you did it, it will bleed – a lot – and will need to be treated. If the toenail is still attached, remove what you can (carefully!!) with clippers – you might want to
911: Seizures
This can happen to rats if they are poisoned (which is why we prefer more humane methods to rid wild rats from a home!), or if the rat’s breeding line has epilepsy in it (why we don’t encourage random breeding).
911: Wounds
Rats being rats are bound to have a little tussle now and then, and sometimes it can get a little more serious resulting in an open wound. What do I do? Gently but firmly restrain your rat and assess the
911: Poisoning
If your rat has ingested a poisonous substance, various symptoms can occur. Some include frothing at the mouth, diarrhea, bleeding from the mouth or rectum, and lack of co-ordination. What do I do? Get your rat to the vet, bringing
911: Heatstroke
Although not too common, it can happen if your rat is left in the hot South African sun for long periods of time without shade or water (please note, this is cruelty to animals and action can be taken against
911: Head Injuries
This is a very serious injury that should be treated immediately by a vet. Your rat may bleed from the nose or ears, fall in and out of consciousness, or even have seizures. Stay calm (for both your sake and
911: Factures/Broken Bones
This can happen due to falls, catching feet in wire floors of their cage, or even being stepped on while having their daily roaming time. It might be difficult for you to assess, especially if it’s of the ribs, skull,
911: Eye Injuries
This can be caused by fighting, sharp objects in their cage, among other possibilities. Your rat might show signs of pain, light sensitivity, or be holding its eye shut, and even aggressive behaviour. What do I do? Get your rat
911: Electrical Shock
This can occur if you leave your rat to play in an un-rat-proofed room! Your rat might receive burns to the mouth and paws, loss of consciousness and possibly even cardiac arrest! What do I do? Check for breathing. If
911: Degloving
Degloving is a defense mechanism for rats, similar to a lizard/gekko. The whole tail is not dropped (like the aforementioned lizard/gekko), but rather the outer layer of skin tears away from the tail bone. Its very painful for the rat,
