Laporte Animal Clinic & Supply
3333  W. County Rd. 54G
Laporte, CO 80535  (970) 490-1999

Care of Rats and Mice
   Here at LaPorte Animal Clinic, we understand the special bond between people and their pets-including pets of all sized
and types.  We treat pet rats and mice on a regular basis, and understand their special nutritional and medical needs and
also routinely perform surgeries such as tumor removals, spays due to uterine problems,tail tip amputations from dry
gangrene, etc.

  These are some basic tips on proper care and husbandry of your little friends, to keep them healthy and try to avoid
some of the common health problems we often see.  We will be glad to discuss routine care further when you bring your
pets in for their annual physical examination.

  Housing
  Most pet rodents do well in 10-20 gallon aquariums, or cages designed specifically for rodents.  Avoid wood as they
love to chew and can escape.  Avoid wire bottom cages as these can cause injuries due to feet being stuck in the wires,
and also sores from the tender pads being on the wire all day.  Provide hiding and burrowing areas such as cardboard
paper towel rolls or commercially made "igloos", etc.
  Bedding  can be made from a variety of substances.  We recommend paper products such as "Yesterday's News"
(available at our supply store).  Wood shavings can be used with care, but be sure to avoid cedar and pine, as the resins
and fumes can be toxic.  Also avoid sand, sawdust and dirt, as these are difficult to keep clean.  Bedding must be
changed regularly-preferable twice a week or more.
  Keep the temperature between 65-80F.  Avoid areas with drafts but make sure the cage is adequately ventilated-do not
use solid tops on glass aquariums as the concentration of urine fumes may cause respiratory disease.
  Provide lots of toys such as tubes, mazes, paper towel rolls, plastic wheels (be careful with the old fashioned metal ones
which can trap toes).  Clean toys regularly.
  Avoid housing different species together and be careful with introducing new pets-we recommend at least a 4 week
quarantine in a different area of the house, a new pet examination by your veterinarian, washing hands after handling the
new pet, and then a gradual introduction to the current pet under supervision (or house in an adjacent cage with wire
separating them for a while).  Remember, never buy obviously ill animals or animals that have been in a cage with an
obviously ill animal, even if the one you pick seems fine-it may be harboring the bacteria or virus and can infect your whole
group at home!
  Guinea pigs, rats and mice can be housed together with others of their own species, but gerbils and hamsters are best
housed individually, unless they are a breeding pair.

Diet
   We strongly recommend Oxbow Regal Rat pellets for your pet rats.   We have found this company to provide
consistently good quality feeds and they are truly dedicated to research in pet rodent nutrition.  We have these pellets
available at our clinic.  In addition to pellets, rats can eat vegetables, especially dark green, yellow and orange ones once
or twice a week.  You may give a little bit of cheeses, whole wheat bread, yogurt, nuts or seeds, but these should be no
more than 5% of the diet-we discourage use of the commercial feed mixes with lots of seeds and nuts-these are
nutritionally incomplete with low protein and high fat and cause many disease issues.  Make sure water is available 24
hours a day and is changed regularly. As of yet, Oxbow does not have a mouse formula, but you can look for good guality
mouse pellet and avoid lots of seeds.

Diseases
    The most common illnesses that we see pet rats and mice for in the clinic are respiratory infections, mites, and tumors.  
We also see dry gangrene of the tail in rats and wounds due to bites from cagemates fairly frequently.  Dr. Dean is very
experienced at anesthesia and surgery for your little "pocket pets" and routinely performs tumor removals.  We
recommend an annual physical examination in order to detect problems with teeth, tumors, weight (obesity is very
common in rats) and other issues early so we can help your friends live long and active lives.
Remember that rodents hide illness well-once you notice a problem, the illness may have already been present for a long
time.  It's important to watch your pet carefully and call us at the first sign of illness, even if it seems mild.

Vital statisitics                                                        Mice                                                        Rats

Scientific name                                                Mus musculus                                        Rattus norvegicus
Life Span                                                        2-3 years(potential of 4 )           3-4 years (potential of 7)
Desirable Temperature                                        65-80F                                                65-80F
Humidity                                                                30-70%                                                 30-70%
Age at onset of Puberty                                     28-40 days                                             50-60 days
Gestation (pregnancy) length                             19-21 days                                             21-23 days                                       
Average litter size                                                10-12                                                        6-12
Weaning age                                                        21-28 days                                                21 days