caution small pet owners!!! OT

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2003
caution small pet owners!!! OT
10
Sat, 06-12-2004 - 12:16am
Okay we have our mini rat his name is Max… Nate comes out saying Max’s hand is gone okay I thought he was mistaken so he went and got Max and yes his hand was completely gone! Im like Wtf! Where his hand???? We inspected his cage and in his little wheel was Max’s hand…. Okay I gagged a few times he actually got it stuck while running his wheel and tore it off… his little nub looks like it healing okay there’s no blood or anything and hes walking fine except for a small limp… I would have never thought of this being a danger?? Never would have thought he would loose his hand… Has anyone ever heard of that?? gosh I keep thinking what this poor little guy went through when this happened….…. Sorry if this is graphic but I know some of use are small pet owners and I thought this is something that might warrant some attention
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 06-12-2004 - 1:50am

Did he have a wire wheel?

  Shawna-- Proud Cl for 100 Pounds or More to Go 

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2003
Sat, 06-12-2004 - 5:12am
no Shawna it is plastic... but has little air vents slots i guess u call them.... whats a comfort wheel? i took his wheel out so maybe i will look into that but i as now he can do without... this is actually my first small pet i have since i was a kid.... so i really didnt know any better,,, but now i do!
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-02-2003
Sat, 06-12-2004 - 7:40am

wheels are extremely dangerous for rats .... or actually most small animals... they can get their tail caught or even their foot .......... dont worry too much, i mean i know it sucks but most rats can get along quite well on 3 feet after they adjust.......


you shouldn't get a wire wheel ............. wodent wheels are ALWAYS best for rats ..... they have a solid bottom where no lil feet or tails can get caught ..... www.wodentwheel.com

 
 
 
 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 06-12-2004 - 10:14am

This is the cage I use for my hamsters but it wouldnt be suitable for rats, too small.


http://www.petfooddirect.com/store/product_detail.asp?pf%5Fid=10079801&dept%5Fid=623&brand%5Fid=202&Page=


Mine goes in the cage but my wheel is like this but its not enclosed.

  Shawna-- Proud Cl for 100 Pounds or More to Go 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 06-12-2004 - 10:40am
Those look like good wheels too.

Shawna Guinea Pig 4

  Shawna-- Proud Cl for 100 Pounds or More to Go 

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-02-2003
Sat, 06-12-2004 - 11:51am

if you ever wanna buy a better cage for your hamsters .... go to www.martinscages.com


they come only partly assembled but they aren't hard to put togeter at all :)

 
 
 
 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 06-12-2004 - 12:33pm
Ive actually already looked at their cages but for my guinea pigs.

  Shawna-- Proud Cl for 100 Pounds or More to Go 

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-02-2003
Sat, 06-12-2004 - 1:21pm

you can get that stuff to line the levels with .... shoot i forget what its called ..... its just those tiles that you stick down .... like on kitchen floors .... then all you hafta do is go through and wipe them off everyday and clean the litter however often you do


they aren't hard to clean at all ...... and i had 6 rats in one of the cages! LOL


 
 
 
 

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-19-2004
Sat, 06-12-2004 - 4:46pm
Oh, Des! Poor Max! That must have been heart-breaking...I had mice when i was younger and two were running in a wire wheel. One went to get out but timed it wrong and got his head crunched in between the support stand and the bracing bar on the wheel...he was never quite right after that.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-04-2003
Sat, 06-12-2004 - 6:18pm
Aww Des that's so sad!!