RAT VET

Rat Veterinarian Serving Akron & Barberton OH

We are a full service rat vet clinic providing care, diagnosis, and treatment. Pet rats are friendly, lovable, and smart pets that can learn tricks and are fun to own. They aren’t too difficult to care for but if they get ill it can be serious. They usually don’t exhibit signs of illness until they are extremely sick. Rats are prone to respiratory infections. If left untreated, a respiratory infection could become fatal. Increased staining (porphyrin) around nose or eyes may indicate high stress levels and illness. Weight loss is a key indicator something is wrong. Loss of appetite and decreased energy are red flags of illness. If you notice a change in your rats behavior it’s important to bring him/her in for a checkup by an experienced rat veterinarian. Routine wellness exams are recommended in order to notice issues before they turn into problems. We offer the following veterinary services for rats

Examples of Tests Offered:

  • COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT (CBC): A CBC is great laboratory tool that allows a veterinarian to “peek” inside your bird. By assessing the variety of blood parameters we can detect infections, viral diseases, blood parasites, response to disease, and states of anemia to name a few. This test can be done in our office at the time of your bird’s exam to aid in our ability to assess your pet’s health.
  • BLOOD PROFILING: A blood profile or serum chemistry series is a group of blood tests used to assess various organ functions or disease states. Kidney function, liver abnormalities, pancreatic disease are but a few of the conditions a blood profile can help evaluate.
  • SEROLOGIC TESTING/SPECIFIC DISEASE TESTS:
    Serologic tests use a combination of technologies (including state-of-the-art DNA probe tests) to screen your pet for the presence of various contagious diseases. Some examples of common tests used are:
  • CHLAMYDIA TESTING: Chlamydia, or parrot fever, is a contagious bacterial disease of birds that is also potentially contagious to humans. A variety of symptoms can be displayed and some birds can be healthy acting carriers. Although a culture is the “gold standard” for testing, a number of different tests are available to use in different situations to screen for this important disease.
  • PBFD: Psittacine beak and feather disease is a viral disease capable of infecting a wide variety of bird species. This potentially fatal disease can progress slowly or rapidly and involve a range of feather and beak lesions. Although no cure is currently available, this test can be used to help screen for the presence or absence of this disease in your pet.
  • POLYOMA: Polyoma virus is another potentially devastating disease of pet birds that has a variety of presentations and outcomes. Lesions can involve feathers or cause widespread tissue destruction and acute illness. Testing as well as a vaccine is available for this disease.
  • PACHECO’S: Pacheco’s disease is a highly infective herpes virus of birds. Disease can be rapid, widespread, and fatal or sporadic with asymptomatic carriers. DNA testing is now available to help detect and prevent this catastrophic disease.

Rat Parasite Control

Rats can get internal and external parasites including tapeworms, fleas, and ticks. These pests cause discomfort and may lead to serious illness. We offer parasite control medication to keep your rat pest free

Rat Dental Care

Rat Wellness Exams

Like all rodents, rats teeth grow continuously their whole lives. Overgrown teeth can cause potentially fatal health problems. A tooth knocked out of alignment may prevent teeth from grinding down naturally. If you notice your rat losing weight, drooling, or struggling to eat, he may have a tooth abnormality or excessive growth that needs vet attention.

As part of your pets wellness examination, we’ll consult with you about your concerns and discuss specific needs of your rat such as diet. We will visually examine teeth, ears, eyes, mouth, and skin for signs of illness. If we find anything abnormal, we may do testing to diagnose possible illness.

Rat Diagnostic, Therapeutic, and Surgical Procedures

Our goal is to keep your pet rat(s) healthy and prevent illness. If your pet is injured or ill, rest assured that we have the tools necessary to diagnose the problem and offer state-of-the-art treatment. From blood testing and radiographs to ultrasound and endoscopy, we have the means to track down your pets’ problems. Once the problem is uncovered we have the expertise, equipment, and the years of experience needed to provide the therapy or surgical procedures required to help our patients.

Rat Emergency Care

Our office is open for your pet’s health care needs Monday through Friday 8:00-6:00 and Saturday 8:00-4:00. If emergency care is required after these hours, you can rely on our 24 hour emergency facility- the Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital. Metro is located at 1053 S. Cleveland-Massilon Rd. in Copley (330-666-2976) and is there to assist with any of our client’s problems. At Metro we have veterinarians and technicians on duty 24 hours daily to address your needs. Metro’s staff doctors rotate through our clinic on a regular basis to assure that they are comfortable addressing the problems of our clients.

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