Educational reference only. In an emergency, contact a rat-experienced or exotics vet immediately. Emergency signs - go now, do not wait and see: open-mouth breathing or gasping, blue or grey ears, feet or nose; collapse or unresponsiveness; a seizure; bleeding that will not stop; a serious wound or a bite from a cat or dog (these always need a vet, even if the wound looks tiny); sudden paralysis; straining without producing anything; a birth stalled with no pup after prolonged straining. While arranging transport: keep the rat warm but not hot - a covered heat pad on low under half of a carrier, never in direct contact. Keep them dark, quiet and handled as little as possible. Do not force food or water into a struggling rat. Bring a familiar cage mate along if it keeps them calmer, unless the illness is contagious. Bleeding: press gently with clean gauze. Tails and feet bleed dramatically; a small amount looks like a lot. Overheating: move to a cool room, offer cool water, place a damp cloth or a wrapped cool pack near them. Do not plunge a rat into cold water. Do not give human medicines. Paracetamol, ibuprofen and human decongestants can be dangerous or fatal at the sizes involved. Only give what a vet has prescribed for that rat. Write down the practice number and out-of-hours number now, before you need it.