Flint River Rattery

19/07/2021

We have, unfortunately, tested positive for the bacteria that causes rat bite fever. Flint River Rattery will be on an extended hiatus until the time in which our lines are clean.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to purchase health tested rats at this time. Stay safe, purchase healthy rats.

04/07/2021

Samples for rat bite fever have been sent to the lab! I’m just letting you guys know that if everyone else’s test results are any indicator, I do not have high expectations for a negative result. I am hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.

Rat bite fever has become very widespread, it seems like overnight. It appears that most ratteries are testing positive. I cannot urge everyone enough to be as careful as possible when purchasing rats. Rat bite fever is extremely serious.

If you are concerned and would like to test your own rats, I strongly recommend doing so and everyone is welcome to join the Practical Rodent Testing FB group. There you’ll have set by step instructions for how to test and can keep up with others test results and status.

Testing is not just available for breeders, it is open to everyone.

28/06/2021

Pleased to update that Flint River Rattery’s account for Charles River Labs has been activated and our testing supplies have arrived!

We will be testing for the following:

Seoul Virus (Hantavirus) - zoonotic; poses severe health concerns and death in humans; asymptomatic in rats

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV) - zoonotic; severe health concerns and death in immunocompromised humans; asymptomatic in rats

Sendai virus - zoonotic; generally minor health issues in humans; asymptomatic in rats

Sialodacryoadenitis virus (SDAV) - species specific/only in rats; can be carried asymptomatiy; often caused severe respiratory distress and death in rats

P.Carinii - species specific/only in rats; can cause respiratory illness in immunocompromised rats; can be asymptomatic in immunocompetent rats

Car bacillus - specific to rodents and some livestock. Can cause respiratory illness in immunocompromised rats; can be asymptomatic in immunocompetent rats

Encephalitozoon cuniculi - zoonotic; can cause symptoms in immunocompromised humans; asymptomatic in immunocompetent rats

Mycoplasma pulmonis - species specific to rodents; can cause respiratory illness in immunocompromised rats; asymptomatic in immunocompetent rats

Rat parvovirus - species specific to rats; can cause respiratory and fertility issues in immunocompromised rats; asymptomatic in immunocompetent rats

Rat rotavirus - species specific; can cause poor growth, diarrhea, and dermatitis in young rats

Rat bite fever - zoonotic; can cause severe health concerns and death in humans; asymptomatic in rats

We will be collecting samples and shipping them out as soon as possible. Fingers crossed for good results! Please wish us luck!

‼️ I have also since been alerted to a rise in ratteries testing positive for rat bite fever. I would highly caution you all to buy from reputable breeders who health test ‼️

10/06/2021

It has come to my attention that there are a number of rat illnesses floating around right now. Some of these can be transmitted from rat to human. Several have proven to be in Alabama and surrounding states.

So upon acquiring this information, and learning of the recent advances in rat health testing, I have made the decision to halt incoming and outgoing rats from my rattery until they are tested.

I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and urge you to be cautious of these illnesses in your own lives.

01/06/2021

Today was cleaning day, so I thought I’d take the opportunity to show off my rat room and drop tips 😁

I use Critter Nation for my cages. Two triples and a double. The triple on the right is for my girls, the one on the left is for the boys. The double in the middle is where babies go when they’re temperament tested and separated from mom at 5 weeks old. It’s basically two stacked singles, the top and bottom are not connected, so the babies are separated by gender into either the top or bottom.

The 5 tub rack by the cages was purchased, the other I built. This is where my rats go when they are paired to breed or nursing a litter.

The bedding I use in all the cages and racks are pine. I have a base layer of pelletized pine to help absorb moisture and control odor, and then a fluffy top layer or kiln dried pine shavings for comfort. When buying bedding, avoid cedar, and if you buy pine, make sure it’s kiln dried. Aspen is safe, but I don’t find it to have the same odor control as pine does. I recommend medium shavings, if you go with fine shavings, it tends to be very dusty and it’s ideal to avoid anything that’s going to irritate your rats lungs.

My rats, as of right now, are eating mazuri 6F as their staple. They also get occasional fruits and veggies and meat treats. Fun fact, chicken is a good treat here or there for your rats and you can give it to them bone and all, they will eat everything. I recently gave them strawberries and each triple Critter Nation got 1/4 of a watermelon! I’m the fall, I enjoy giving each cage it’s own pumpkin 😁

For enrichment, they have cat toys (the balls with the bells in them), a variety of bird toys, cardboard boxes, paper towel/toilet paper/wrapping paper rolls, and colorful tissue paper and paper streamers. I sometimes build little little DIY toys with treats hidden inside. They love working for their food. Bored rats tend to chew on the cage bars. If you have a chewer, give them more entertainment. I also provide my rats with hanging baskets, lots of hides, and hammocks.

Dollar tree is an excellent place to shop for rats accessories. Igloos and huts can get expensive, but most of my hides are just converted storage bins from dollar tree 😁 the rats don’t mind at all.

I could keep going all day. Feel free to ask any questions you’d like!

01/06/2021

31/05/2021

Can you believe this is the same rat?? Believe it or not, all of these pictures are of Ronan!

Photos taken a year apart! (And he still makes the same expressions 🥴)

First set of photos: May 25, 2020
Second set of photos: May 30, 2021

31/05/2021

Nothing like some strawberries with a side of strawberry yogurt to brighten everyone’s day 😁

30/05/2021

Finally got some pictures of some of my boys 🥰 more to come tomorrow. We’re running put of daylight

28/05/2021

Any red eyed devil fans? 😁

28/05/2021

Past DWS litter from 2019. The last DWS litter I had before I dropped DWS. I have recently picked it back up and have much healthier lines this time 😊