Rats and urates (What a title!)

[Ken]

King Rex the Finicky switched over to rats about a month ago. Since the move to rats, ol' Rex deposits urates (and plenty) about every 3 or 4 days. On mice, Rex was about a 2-3 times per month pee-er.

Has anyone else noticed a dramatic increase in the frequency and quanity of urate deposits in conjunction with the switch from mice to rats?

Thanks for your input!

K

[Smulkin]

Hmmm - I cant recollect the difference really - all mine were moved over to rats fairly quickly. I can say though that every cleaning (weekly minimum) there is a big ole chunk of snake chalk in the cages there.

[Ken]

Thanks Smulkin. I'm "dechalkifying" the enclosure twice a week since the 1st rat.

Rex is soda-can thick and eating 1 med. rat every Saturday. I'll move to a 10-14 day cycle soon, but Rex fasted from September to April last winter, so a little temporary pudge won't hurt if he fasts again.

If he keeps eating, we'll go to 10-14 days next week.

K

[frankykeno]

Hmmmmm, interesting. Riona and Keena just switched over to rat weans from adult mice this past week so I'll have to keep an eye on that and see if their urate production changes.


~~Jo~~

[kavmon]

mine pass alot of urates too! it might also be that the rats weigh more and there are more calories going in and out of your snake?


vaughn

[lars5277]

My snake just ate for the second time today. I have yet to see snake chalk in her cage. She at last Sunday then today (9 days apart). I waited an extra two days because I was trying to find a place that sold F/T and move her to that. She took to it very well. My wife said she dangled the mouse for about 30 seconds and BAM! But no snake poop! I don't know if they really urinate like we do, I haven't seen any noticeable. I just replace the substrate once a week (using astroturf now). I'll be switching to some "Reptic" stuff I bought at the pet store today so that I can spot clean. I am just going to wait a day or two for her belly to settle.