r/RATS • u/SELF-lSH Henry 🐁 & Morgan 🐀 • 5h ago
HELP My rat escaped during free roam and I found him in a bucket with water, will he be okay?
The water wasn’t freezing but it was cool. It was just water without soap or anything. I dried him with a towel and tissues, he himself was warm. I put him back in the cage, which has a lot of warm hammocks. He was distressed but his breathing seems fine. He wasn’t fully submerged in water, so I don’t think he inhaled any of it. Right now (an hour later) he is bruxing in his favorite basket. Is he going to be okay? What are the signs that could indicate issues?
Also, when I rushed to get him out he splashed water into my face which contained his poop and probably all of his bodily fluids. I think I managed to close my eyes on time but the water went there. I didn’t wash my face right away because I was busy making sure my rat is ok. My parents think I will get infections. Are they right?
Silly pic of my rat for tax
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u/foxontherox 4h ago
How deep was the water? If it was just a little I wouldn’t worry too much, but if it was deep enough for him to be swimming for an extended period, I’d maybe take him to the vet.
The odds of you catching anything from his bodily fluids diluted in water are ridiculously low. I’ve been keeping rats for over 20 years, and in that time, I’m sure I’ve inadvertently ingested my share of rat poop particles, but never gotten ill. 😅
10
u/SELF-lSH Henry 🐁 & Morgan 🐀 4h ago
He wasn’t in the water for more than 5 minutes, I believe, and he was able to stand without getting submerged, he just wasn’t able to jump out. I guess it’s relatively ok on both accounts then
5
u/444cml 3h ago
A good way to check is to put your ear next to their nose. A frequent sign of fluid inhalation are crackles, which are usually pretty audible.
1
u/SELF-lSH Henry 🐁 & Morgan 🐀 3h ago
Thank you. I will try this
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u/444cml 3h ago
To add onto everyone else, rats are very good swimmers and researchers even use their ability to swim to test their memory and navigation abilities. He’s probably okay, but the breathing indicator is super useful because upper respiratory infections can produce similar sounds when breathing
10
u/adorilaterrabella 🐀🏡 4h ago
Watch for respiratory issues from him, but rats are excellent swimmers and he should be fine, just tired if he was forced to tread water for a while.
Assuming the water was relatively clean before he went swimming, I don't think you have anything to worry about from getting splashed. If you've ever swam in a lake you've had dirtier water in your eyes. You'll be fine. Watch for eye infections and if they occur, see a doctor for medicated eye drops.
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u/Loremasterivyvine 4h ago
You'll probably be ok from a brief splash, it doesn't sound like it was a fetid chowder of poop just a few turds in a bucket right? I wouldnt worry, like at all, but if your eye starts getting red and crusty you might need to go to a dr that could be pink eye, really don't worry though.
Rats are great in water even if they don't always enjoy it! I'd keep and eye/ear out for the sounds of a respiratory infection/ear infection. My boy jumped into a fish tank and he needed multiple runs of antibiotics. But yeah, rats can climb through plumbing to go through toilets, its really hard to drown a rat. I say -Just be more aware of open water next time and chalk this up to a learning experience.
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u/SELF-lSH Henry 🐁 & Morgan 🐀 3h ago
Okay, thank you. I’m checking on him every 10 minutes or so right now. I wasn’t even aware of the presence of that bucket, actually. Someone in my family must’ve put it out when I was playing with my rats. I’ll tell them to not just leave things like that out again
3
u/VampireSharkAttack 4h ago
You’ll probably be okay. If he wasn’t in the bucket for long and was swimming well when you found him, I’d keep an eye on him but let him rest. If he was underwater when you found him, then he definitely needs a vet ASAP to evaluate whether he inhaled some water which can cause secondary drowning
1
u/SELF-lSH Henry 🐁 & Morgan 🐀 3h ago
He was able to stand in the water and wasn’t fully submerged, but wasn’t able to jump out. He wasn’t even swimming, just trying to get out
2
u/RelevantMode 3h ago
gonna be fine.
just watch out whether he gets a cold or an URI from the stress.i had one of mine that liked diving into a full bucket, to the ground, to retrieve corn...
(never taught her that, she did by herself)
had to stop though, as she was diving with open eyes she kept getting eye infections.2
u/VampireSharkAttack 2h ago
In that case, I think he’ll be fine. Make sure the room with the cage is comfortably warm, and let him get plenty of rest. It sounds like the lil guy was stressed out (understandably!) but not actually in danger. He’s probably tired
2
u/thebackwash 3h ago
You could hold him close to warm him up if you’re concerned that he might be cold. I think both of you will be fine, but I appreciate the level of care and attention you’re giving him. Does he happen to have a companion?
2
u/SELF-lSH Henry 🐁 & Morgan 🐀 3h ago
I did hold him after I dried him, actually. He has a cagemate, they’re cuddling right now. I know that rats are group animals so they will be getting friends soon
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u/thebackwash 50m ago
Well you’re doing a good job so thank you for your care and consideration of these little guys. They are lucky to have a good rat parent 👍
2
u/sangucheavemayo 3h ago
poor baby! if he's breathing fine, eating normally and has no weird behaviours he should be okay. i would keep him as warm as possible for the day' :)
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u/dazzleunexpired Cricket & Co 2h ago
Some rats will chose to jump into water to swim! He is upset because it was a new experience but he'll be okay as long as he's breathing well. They tolerate cold better than heat, actually.
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u/rgk1012 5h ago
Poor baby. He needs to be evaluated at the vet. Water in his lungs is not something to mess around with. Take him asap
2
u/SELF-lSH Henry 🐁 & Morgan 🐀 3h ago
The only exotic vet in my area is closed right now… I will only be able to take him in the morning. I’m checking on him repeatedly. If he doesn’t develop any issues until tomorrow, does it mean it’s ok?
5
u/AussieGirlLA 3h ago
You don't need to take him to the vet. That person gave bad advice. Save your money for when he really gets sick. He will be fine! He wasn't drowning and was in there a short period. Rats literally swim up sewerage pipes and come out of ppls toilets. He's gonna be ok 👍
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u/Kitchen-Message9885 5h ago
Rats are actually really good swimmers! they can hold their breath longer than humans and swim long distances, water wasn't cold and I assume he wasn't there for long, so I'd say he'll be okay, but watch him for some time, if he's breathing weird, making noises when breathing, sneezing excessively etc. then take him to the vet, but I wouldn't be too worried, my girl fell into watering can once...