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  Discussion on Rats
Author Message
Member:
Pbauer

Posted on Saturday, Jun 25, 2005 - 10:58 pm:

Hi DrO. and All,

Will a rat bite a horse; does it matter if he
is standing up or lying down?

Thank you,
Tonya
Member:
Christos

Posted on Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 - 3:51 am:

Yes, Tonya, a rat may bite a sleeping or helpless horse, especially if it smells of milk.
But it is not at all common, as rats are not that hungry or aggressive in the countryside, where horses are usually kept.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 - 1:43 pm:

A good answer but why do you ask Tonya?
Member:
Pbauer

Posted on Monday, Jun 27, 2005 - 2:13 pm:

Hi DrO.,
The reason for asking about rat bites: A horse
at a very nice barn had a puncture wound below the right ankle. The horse was lame, and in distress. The vet was called; after examination, the horse was put on antibiotics, bute, and the leg was bandaged (changed everyday) for 3-4 days.

There was nothing in the stall or turnout that would have caused a puncture wound...trying to figure out what happened.

Christos, thank you so much!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 28, 2005 - 5:52 am:

I have to wonder about an environment where there is nothing that could cause a small wound on the horse. I personally think a horse could be wrapped in bubble wrap and injure themselves. But there is no wood where there may be a splinter, no rocks that the horse may lay down on, how about the horse hitting a blunt object so hard the skin splits? I have seen this happen. I bring it up because all of these are more likely than a rat bite, unless you have a demonstarably heavy infestation perhaps, and may effect diagnosis and treatment particularly if you run into complications with the injury.
DrO
Member:
Cara2

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 29, 2005 - 7:46 am:

Hi, we had a pony on my previous yard that got a nasty infection around its mouth. We assumed he'd chewed on some wood in the stable and picked up a splinter but when the vet examined the wound he said he thought it was a rat-bite. Certainly there were plenty of rats around and they were not the slightest bit frightened of anyone but the farrier's dog!! I could easily imagine the pony put its nose down to investigate...
Member:
Chohler

Posted on Friday, Jul 1, 2005 - 12:23 pm:

Horses can injure them selves on nothing. I have one in particular that could be put in a bubble and still find a way to be injured.

As far as rats go they are oppourtunists, and very aware of size. They only time a rat would bother livestock is if the horse is debilitated and laying down all the time, or deceased. Mind you that is very rarely and if the rats are starving. Rat bites look just like it would if they chomped on a bit of cheese or apple, you will definitly know without a doubt if it is a rat bite. Most of the time rats are so well fed, they only mess with livestock out of curiousity. I have never had rats mess with the large livestock but for whatever reason they seem to like pigs and chickens. If I think there is a rats nest near the chickens I try to expose it to the chickens they are omnivores and enjoy an occasional baby rat treat!

If rats are a problem and poisoning is out of the question you can get live rat traps, and take them to the local animal control to be disposed of for the weak of heart.
Member:
Pbauer

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 19, 2005 - 7:22 pm:

DrO., Helen and Cheryl,

Thank you very much!!

Best,
Tonya
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