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.

[halkogirl]

I used to have four pet rats. They are very smart animals and fun to have. However, I developed a severe allergy to them (confirmed by my allergist). I wouldn't be able to come within five feet of the linens that the rat had been on without breaking out into hives!!

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

I will preface this by saying: I am a RN who has dealt with body fluids, blood, gore and all combined at more than enough times.

But after reading all of above = I just threw up in my mouth

For god's sake these are RATS...... just wikipedia RAT to find out their history and traits....................................................

Pet rats don't have the same risk of infecting others with nasty viruses as the wild ones- they're not exposed to "wild" things :) No worse than a litter box, or a dog licking itself As far as it getting down from the bed, and sneaking out of the room- that could be a problem. Could be useful for figuring out if a patient is malingering- send Ratatouille into their room, and see if they improve enough to demand discharge I love most animals with fewer than 6 legs. BUT, I'd want this one in a cage when it visits to keep it from getting loose and freaking out some unsuspecting visitor or patient, and have them stroke when they see it....

[Cat_RN, ASN, BSN, RN]

I'd rather deal with a pet rat than the things we know we're going to deal with in nursing.. projectile vomit, cdiff explosions, trach secretions, gangrenous wounds..

So yes, in the nicest way possible, I think you're overreacting.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

I just keep hearing michael Jackson singing Ben......................

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

I had a pet rat when I was a kid, Spike.

A well cared for rat is no more an infection risk than a well cared for cat or dog.

I would want it to be caged or on a leash for the simple reason that it could scurry off and hide places a cat or dog never could, & you'd never catch it.

[demylenated, BSN, RN]

Pet rats are being used as service animals (psychiatric) which is probably why it is allowed in the hospital.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

I just keep hearing michael Jackson singing Ben......................

That was a good song :)

[amarilla, RN]

I didn't read the whole thread but don't see the biggie in allowing the pet rat to visit in the room. I'd consider a domesticated pet rat (which isn't allowed to roam on the floors) no more unsanitary that any other small animal. I've seen chinchillas and bunnies visit at one place I worked; should a rat be any different just because of personal squicks or misconceptions?

I'll admit a personal bias: I've had pet mice in the past (I took them so they wouldn't be snake supper) and found them very cute. Rats are quite smart and lively pets!

[Fiona59]

Pepper, come out west to Alberta.

Pet rats are banned. End of discussion. The government prides itself for maintaing a rat free province.

Somebody did bring in a pet rat from BC a few years back and it was confiscated. The grain cars coming in from the other prairie provinces are inspected.

So our only rats are the human kind in the legislature.

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

Similar to the differences between wild wolves and domestic dogs, there are both behavioral and physiological differences between pet rats and wild rats.

Pet rats are attracted to humans, are capable of bonding with one specific human, have more body fat, ears that are soft and movable, and if you let one go into the wild, it is not likely to do well. Wild rats avoid humans, are lean, their ears are firm and erect, and would not do well in captivity.

They are completely different animals, and while one might pose a risk to human health and safety, the other does not.

[nola1202]

: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.

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

Rats are easily litterbox trained.