Suffield Veterinary Hospital

November 2005 Patient of the Month

           Meet “Bratti” a 1 year old hairless rat owned by Suffield residents Dawn McKay and her two sons Gavin and Grady.  There is no greater oddity in the animal world than a furless creature.  An animal lacking fur would never survive except in the homes of caring pet owners.  Hairless rats share all the same characteristics of their furry relatives.  They are curious, intelligent, and playful.  They are very social creatures who become active during the night and rest during the day.  They can be taught to beg and come when called.  Their skin is smooth and baggy which makes them unique pets.  Hairless rats need more warmth so they appreciate another companion to snuggle with.  They can be more fragile than furred rats.  They often have impaired immune systems, poor eyesight and may have difficulty raising their young.

          The McKay’s allow Bratti supervised freedom to explore their home 4 to 5 hours most evenings.  Bratti has several favorite hiding places called "Bratti beds" located in closets and dresser drawers so it is easy to find her and she usually comes when her name is called.  But one hurried evening Dawn forgot that Bratti was out of her cage.  Bratti pulled a fast one and slipped out of a loosely screened bedroom window and spent the night outside.  The next morning Dawn was amazed to find Bratti clinging to a porch screen waiting to be rescued.

          Grateful to find her alive, the McKay’s watched her carefully over the next few weeks.  Bratti's belly grew larger and she surprised them by giving birth to 4 furred babies!  Obviously Bratti broke the rules and defied the odds.  Not only did she survive an evening outside, but found a wild mate and gave birth to a healthy litter.  Bratti and her big, dark, hairy babies are shown in the picture above taken by the portrait photographer at Motophoto in Enfield.  This truly was a story of the “good girl” being romanced by the dangerous stranger from the other side of the tracks!
          Some animals may be infected with or carry zoonoses, which are bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites that can infect people.  Infection can occur through bites, scratches contact with body secretions and feces.  Zoonotic diseases are more of a concern with wild animals than indoor pets.  So as a precaution, after counseling with our wildlife veterinarian Dr. Anita Sabellico, Bratti's babies have been given to experienced wildlife rehabilitators to live out their lives.

          For the chance to remind everyone that, among the small “pocket pets,” rats are considered the most intelligent and friendly, we are proud to make Bratti our November Patient of the Month.

Suffield Veterinary Hospital

Dr. Ann Huntington - Dr. Anita Sabellico - Dr. Dawn Burke

 Dr. Jean Herrman – Dr. Tracy Powell

577 East Street South (Route 159), Suffield, CT 06078 (860) 668-4041