ATTN! My rat is getting sicker by the day. How much time do I have to help her?

Question

My rat, Penelope, is getting sicker. I've asked on her, about her deep lung sounds, and she seems to be getting worse, because now she has the red goo secreting from her eyes and nose. I am so worried, and I want to take her to a vet, but I just want to make sure that she won't get worse over night.

This whole issue is new of this week. The lung sounds start 3 days ago. She eats, drinks, and sleeps normally. But she kinda has slept a little bit more today.

Five minutes ago is the first time I noticed the red goo, and I've been looking for it.

Now I know I have to take her to a vet, even though every vet within my area is like $40 to see a small animal. That doesn't even include medicine or anti-biotics.

How long until her illness gets to a dangerous state?

Please let me know, I'm so worried.

I can't stop crying, and I won't until I know the situation and that I can control it.

Please please please help.

Answer 1

It already is at a dangerous state if she is bleeding from the eyes and nose. Get her to a vet ASAP! Respiratory disease in rats can be fatal.

Answer 2

I am so sorry, but even the vet cannot really do anything for her now. she is very sick and has a severe mycoplasmic infection. she will soon lose a lot of weight and lay down and gasp for air, which is incredibly sad to see. all the vet can do is hope, just like you. however, mycoplasma is not curable. i would say as soon as the gasping starts, she has another week

I am so sorry....

Answer 3

Ok, so what your rat has is most likely mycoplasma. Almost all rats have it. All of mine have it and they're fine. However, if left untreated for a long time it can get more serious or turn into pneumonia. If its pneumonia, you probably dont have much time. When my rats got pnemonia they lasted a day and a half.

If its just mycoplasma then you should have quite a while, and it probably wont effect your rat at all until she gets really old. Signs of mycoplasma are red discharge from the eyes and nose (its not blood, its more like mucus. Its called Porphyrin), sneezing, and a weezing sound. However, they should act perfectly normal. If your rat has pneumonia it should have a hunched posture, be very lethargic, have poor balance, and in appear to be really struggling, even gasping for air.

If its pnemonia, get her to the vet right away! If its just mycoplasma, you have plenty of time. The vet will most likely give you baytril, the most common medicine for treating myco. You can give it to your rats by directly squirting it into their mouths, or you can make peanut butter balls. You mix flour and peanut butter together so the peanut butter isn't too sticky, and if you want you can even add a few drops of vanilla. Then mix the medicine into the treat and give it to your rat. Its much more enjoyable for everyone! Good luck with Penelope! Heres a few sites to help you out :)

http://www.2ndchance.info/ratlover.htm

http://www.rmca.org/Articles/myco.htm

http://ratguide.com/health/lower_respira...

http://www.nfrs.org/respdisease.html

http://www.rmca.org/Articles/respir.htm

Answer 4

Your rat probably has pneumonia. i'm sorry to say this, but even a guinea pig can't make it through it. if you want to try to help it, take it to the vet ASAP! You're lucky its lived this long, so just i'd keep it and spend it's last few days with it and i'm terribly sorry. DON'T GET ONE FROM PETSMART. just to let you know.