Pet Rat Visiting - Nurses Creeped Out!

[Pepper The Cat]

We have a pt on our rehab floor who has been having his pet rat visit daily. (shudder) His father brings it in daily and lets it run around on his bed (shudder)

Many of us are totally grossed out and creeped out by this. I have basically said I will not go into the room if the rat is running around. Totally grosses me out. A few other nurses have said the same thing. I said I would go in if the rat was in his cage - still creeped out, but if it is in a cage I'll cope.

We permit dogs/cats to visit but they have to be leashed and are not permitted to run around. I don't mind those, but the idea of a rat running around on the bed totally creeps me out.

Our Manager has said she is going to check with Infection Control to see about any issues and is going to talk to the family but so far hasn't gotten back to us about any solutions.

Are we over-reacting? What do you guys think??

I think that if this pt wants to visit with his rat he can do it outside in the courtyard where pts are permitted - or just keep the rat in its cage.

[nola1202]

Rats are easily litterbox trained.

I did not know that.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

:idea:I keep thinking of the little guy voiding on the bed and leavin little black gifts on the bed. perhaps they make little rat pampers? Or maybe there's a rat whisperer out there who could toilet train any rat.

Those WeePees for the micro preemies might work, with a hole for the tail

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

Well, lump me into the category of the odd animal lovers, I like rats. I love snakes, too.

Having said that, I will admit that, I like them to a degree, domesticated, please.

To this day, if a rodent runs over my foot and I don't know it's there, I will have a come-apart. Just ask that poor convenience store cashier about the day I nearly landed in her lap. One ran across me and I was over the counter before there was time to say 'Amen'.

OP, at the end of the day, your facility's policies will rule. I understand the squeamishness, but the guy's gonna have to have care, rat or no rat. Good luck.

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

We had a pt.'s brother bring a Tegu to visit. It's not every day you see someone with a four foot long lizard on a leash. We had to bar it from the hospital though as reptiles tend to carry salmonella.

I bet that was a sight. Ex-boyfriend of mine used to have an iguana...had its own bedroom, loved fruit cocktail. It was like his child. It went everywhere with him. Boy, you do get some looks, as you said, not an everyday occurrence.

[Poi Dog]

Does this little Crisco ball look terrifying?

He was one of mine but died a year ago

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

well, lump me into the category of the odd animal lovers, i like rats. i love snakes, too.

having said that, i will admit that, i like them to a degree, domesticated, please.

to this day, if a rodent runs over my foot and i don't know it's there, i will have a come-apart. just ask that poor convenience store cashier about the day i nearly landed in her lap. one ran across me and i was over the counter before there was time to say 'amen'.

op, at the end of the day, your facility's policies will rule. i understand the squeamishness, but the guy's gonna have to have care, rat or no rat. good luck.

my general policy is as long as there are 5 legs or fewer, i'm in..... no legs- no problem (as long as the pupils of the eye are round and not slits- and head is not triangular). more than 4 legs, and it's whack - figure it out later or eat it (crab, lobster...)

[teeniebert, LPN]

Rats are easily litterbox trained.

Let me clarify: Female rats are easily litterbox trained. Male rats, you can train 'em all you want, they still dribble everywhere.*

*in my experience, and from asking around rat forums

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

Well yeah, there is marking behavior, but they'll still poop in a litter box.