Finding a vet who is comfortable and knowledgeable about rats can be a difficult task. First, you must find all the vet hospitals in your area. Look in your local phone book or online. It is also a good idea to check out a few cities around yours which are not too far of a drive to help widen your search. The phone book is the number one way new clients choose a vet hospital, so vets will often try to make their phone book ad as effective as possible. Look for words such as "pocket pets" or "exotics" to see if a vet hospital may be knowledgeable about pet rats. Write down any of the numbers you find and give them a call.
Research any potential vet hospital online. Most reputable ones will have their own website. Look for clues that the vets who work in each hospital you are considering are in it for the welfare of animals and not for the money. Vets who donate a lot of their time to local SPCA's, wildlife rehabilitation centers, or other animal-related charities often put animal welfare first. Try to find out if the vet has won any awards or written any articles, which means they are keen on being knowledgeable about animals.
Keep in mind that an older veterinarian may be more experienced, but they may also be set in their ways and using old methods with outdated information. It is always a good idea to do your own research online so you can tell if a vet is up to date on current treatments for the commen ailments of rats.
Ask Questions
When you have a list of several hospitals' phone numbers, have a pen and paper ready and call each one. The best times to call are usually during the middle of the day, as vet hospitals are usually busiest in the opening hours and in the early evening when surgery patients are being discharged. Mention that you are looking for a veterinarian with expertise in pocket pets, exotics, or rats specifically. If they mention that they do not treat rats very often or wouldn't feel comfortable giving them medical care, cross them off the list and move on.
If you do find a vet who specializes in exotics or pocket pets, make sure they are also comfortable treating rats. Most exotics veterinarians are used to treating birds and reptiles, and may not be as knowledgeable when it comes to rats.
Ask as many questions as you want; they should be happy to answer them. The more questions you ask, the better you will feel and you will get an idea of whether or not the vet knows what he or she is talking about.
If you find a vet you think you would like to try, make an appointment for one or more of your rats to meet the vet and see how they treat your rat.
The Exam
Usually the examination begins with a veterinary assistant or veterinary technician asking a few questions about your rat, such as gender, birth date, and any symptoms if the rat is ill. They will usually weigh the rat on a small scale and write down the information in its file. The assistant or tech should handle your rat properly, supporting its entire body and not picking it up by the tail. They should provide a towel to cover the cold metal table, and possibly a towel in the weigh scale as well. You will then wait for the vet to come in. The vet should examine your rat head to toe, checking its teeth, gently palpating the abdomen, looking at the eyes and nose, and listening to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope. If your rat is ill, they may have to do further tests or ask other questions related to the specific reason you brought the rat in.
The vet should be able to handle your rat properly and comfortably, and be open to answering any questions you may have about your rat. If the vet doesn't know the answer to your questions, he or she should at least be willing to do some research and get back to you.
If You Cannot Find a Suitable Vet
Sometimes there are simply no vets in your area that are knowledgeable about rats. Unfortunately, it is all too common. It is still necessary for you to have a vet, however, and it is better to select one before your rats become ill so you don't have to choose in an emergency. If you can't find a vet who knows a lot about rats, at least find one who is willing to learn. Vets have access to many great resources and textbooks and can also use the internet to find accurate information. Consider providing your vet with Debbie Ducommun's The Rat Health Care Guide booklet, which contains information on common ailments and treatments as well as a medication dosage guide.
One of the most important things to remember is to be your rat's own advocate for his health care. Do as much research as you can, especially if your rat is diagnosed with a condition or is showing signs of illness. Knowing what to expect and what the most common treaments are can help you and your vet come to a diagnosis and treatment plan, without leaving you in the dark about what is going on. A great start is the Rat Guide's health and medication section, which includes in-depth information on many aspects of rat illnesses and treatments as well as drugs.
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