Dave Part 3

Dave's quarantine period lasted a week. Yes, I know I am a horrible rat owner, for quarantining LESS than the minimum quarantine period (2 weeks).  But for me it just wasn't worth it anymore. Dave was a total scaredy cat so he wasn't improving socially.  I hoped that moving him in the room with Dapper would cause him to open up a little, seeing as there was another rat in the room. Also, he seemed perfectly healthy. I've seen a sick rat. He wasn't sick.

I'm not saying I suggest quarantining so short a time, it's just what worked for me at the time. Some people tell you to keep rats in separate buildings, or cover all the air vents and door with plastic, spray disinfectant every time you go in and out etc., etc., etc. However, some of us don't have friends that want rats in their houses for two weeks or own several houses, some of us don't even have the time to blockade half the house for the rat's protection. I didn't, however I did take some precautions. I washed my hands very well before and after handling each one and kept a clean  t-shirt in both rooms so that my clothes never touched one rat and then the other. It was the best I could do.