Welcome to Gaia! ::

@Shanna, thanks, though as my brother pointed out, "that's what rats do" So I probably should have taken preventive measures. Which I'm still in the process of now. Stopped at Aquatica today. Picked up a "Cord Organizer Kit" I just have to actually go about organizing. I could probably do with one or more tubes though cause I got...1.my computer screen, 2.my picture frame, 3. lamp, 4. cam charger, 5.Tank light, 6. Tank heater, 7. Tank air pump, 8.Tank filter.

1-4 left side of the desk, 5-8 right side of the desk. The power bar luckily is screwed into the top of my desk. But that's only wires 1-6. The power bar itself is in the outlet near the floor, and I have another extension plugged there with wires 7&8 plugged to that. So basically, lots of organizing and planning of what goes together in which tube.

I only have one, long but thin tube, can hold maybe up to 3 wires. I also have self adhesive clips, so I could use those to clip the wires to the wall and keep them out of reach. (not that anything if ever truely out of reach, at least not for Blaze) and then one big "cord router" that is made to stick to the side of the tank. So that one takes care of the wires on top of the desk.

I'll try to take pics once I get started cause probably none of this makes sense. I may even try to write up a lil report on "rat proofing" share it with some of the facebook exotic groups. I just found out our local SPCA had a tragedy, a chin went into foster care and got electrocuted. That must have been so traumatizing for the foster family cry

So update on Aida

I spoke with my teacher, told her everything that happened, and my concerns. She said that if Aida had edema, she would almost certainly show signs of respiratory distress. That the red I saw is possibly/likely just secretions from stress. She also said, if she's eating, grooming, pooping, peeding, all in all a happy rat, that she should be just fine. The vet called back again, to ask about her, and suggest a follow up. I'm gona call back tomorrow and just explain that being a full time student, for budget reasons I'd like to skip the follow up for now. Unless the vet feels it really necessary or she starts showing signs of illness.

Uploading a photo to show the decrease in swelling.

Nope, no wheezy noises. The very rare and occasional sniffle/sneeze. In which I jump out of bed, turn the light on, and stare at the cage for 20mins. And then go back to sleep. (and wonder why I have difficulty waking up in the morning.)

Here's the happy rasties.




Aida's lip, hardly swollen, but all bruised and possibly necrotic.

It has been over a week now. And it looks like Aida is in the clear. Her lip has healed real nicely, no signs of infection. We are very lucky and very thankful. Thanks to everyone for your support. I'll try to get a pic of her all healed up. She's happily munching on lettuce right now. I love giving them stuff they've never eaten before. They get so excited lol.

If you'd like to see the changes I've made to prevent future incidents, check my rat proofed thread. I'm also going to be making some kind of rat safety write up to share on facebook, maybe youtube and some other places as well.

I also outfitted their cage with some new floors, it's great, I'll try to share pics of that too. I bought and installed vynil tiles biggrin