I usually just drop them off in their tank with food and water. I don't see why he would have a problem with it. They aren't like dogs or cats who get sick after surgery if they have food in their stomach.

I would just leave a bowl of food mix in her tank, as well as a full water bottle, so she'll have it when she wakes up. Alot of vets have these misconceptions about rats. They generally eat every hour at least. It's just not a safe thing, IMO, for them to be without food for 3+ hours. Their blood sugar would get too low and they just can't recover well at all. Especially since she's an older gal, she needs all the energy she can get.

Might want to give him this link: www.ratguide.com so he can read up on some things and be up to date. There's an exotic veterinary group on Yahoo if he wants to join also. Exotic DVM I think is the name.