NFRS Guidelines Regarding Rescues and Infection Risk
Rats returned to the breeder from a pet home, no special requirements unless the circumstances say otherwise. Methods of intro/quarantine etc at the breeder's discretion.
Rats obtained from another member, no special requirements unless circumstances say otherwise.
Rats obtained from backyard or feeder breeders where the history is not known or questionable. Minimum of 3 weeks quarantine during which time the breeder does not show. People should consider a longer period of quarantine to cover Parvovirus (three months) during which time the rats should not be bred.
Dumped rats or rats found in the wild. The NFRS does not recommend rescuing these rats. They should be taken to a rescue agency if the rescue agency won't collect them themselves. These agencies have the set ups to deal with these rats.
Where rats have been taken in from the wild the following protocol should be followed; Broad Spectrum wormer, Ivermectin, course of Doxycycline and 14 days after treatment has concluded at least one rat from each cage group must be tested for Leptospirosis. Alternatively, if the clinician is agreeable, a bulk test of urine from all or several rats is preferable . Rats should remain in quarantine until the rats are shown to be clear.