I need help with my sick rat.?

Question

I have 2 rats, Pudang and Magyver.

They both used to escape all the time and run under my stove. I stopped that problem but it seems now that my little runty rat Pudang has some breathing problem, i know generally all rats develop or can develop a disease called mycoplasma~~~ something but I'm thinking some dust from under the stove got into her lungs.... we also have a mold problem in our apartment but the other rat is experiencing no symptoms.

When she breathes it sounds like she has pop rocks in her lungs... she weezes too and seems to be dropping weight.

the examination is $70 dollars but i'd like to see if anyone knows here first before i go (as my boyfriend says -.-) "Spend $70 on a rat we got for free"

Answer 1

This sounds like advanced myco, or pneumonia.  Both are life threatening.

It is your responsibility to ensure the health of your pet, and it is the law, regardless of the cost.

Sounds like your rat needs a trip to the vet ASAP.  In the mean time take the rat in the bathroom with you while you shower and allow it to inhale the steam.  You can also feed her a dark chocolate chip, wich contains a hormone that will help her breath easier.

An antibiotic will be prescribed, and your rats health should improve within a few days.

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

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

Don't delay she really needs a vet.

Good luck with your pet

Answer 2

Rats are very prone to upper respiratory infections. The breathing and weight problem mean you do have a sick rat and Ratty needs to see a vet or will probably deteriorate and possibly spread the illness to Ratty II.

Answer 3

All rats carry Mycoplasmosis, that when inflamed by dust, ammonia, pine, Cedar and other wood shavings, mold and damp can develop into a secondary infection that will cause them to wheeze, sneeze and produce lots of porpthrin (blood-like mucus). Rats with inflamed Mycoplasmosis often develop a serious disease called Respiratory Disease. Take your rats to the vet to diagnose this and they will most likely prescribe you with a drug called Batril, to treat over a long period of time. Batril usually cures the problem and makes the rats health stable, however an infected rat is likely to retain respiratory damage which could show in the form of constant sneezing, extra porpthrin or a constant wheeze - your vet will be able to diagnose when the disease is stable and only damage remains. Make sure that the batril is administered by dropper or through food - injection is very painful for rats and many vets seem to administer it to the scruff - which is the toughest piece of a poor rats skin. Injected rats can also develop hideous weeping scabs called Batril burn.

You should immediately separate your rats before the other one gets infected. Unfortunately this isolation must be forever as myco is an unpleasant and greatly uncomfortable illness to rats and it is unfair to allow your healthy rat to catch it while he could still be safe. The rats will have to be kept in separate rooms to avoid cross contamination. You should however, also take the healthy rat to the vet to check for signs of illness.

Avoid allowing either of your rats to play in dusty areas, make sure their cage is cleaned regularly and filled with carefresh, back 2 nature, eco pet bed or another wood and dust free bedding. Try to get your rats in a mold free area as the spores will inflame their breathing problems.

If possible, try to buy a new rat from your local shelter that already has respiratory damage to be a new friend for your isolated rat. You should also try to get a new friend for your healthy rat, preferably one around the same age and healthy.

I'm sorry to say it, but whether the rat was free or not, you never take on a pet if you can't afford vets bills - a rat that was free deserves vet treatment just as much as a rat you payed for. An untreated rat with Myco will suffer a very drawn out death - they NEED treatment. Please take your rats to the vet as Respiratory Disease is awful and they will need treatment.

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

well if you got a rat for free then surely you will have the money you didnt spend on a rat to pay for her to go to the vet.but if you like in the uk the rspca do free check ups so you could try that

Answer 5

All rats are prone to infections, diseases and respiratory problems. It looks like she has the respiratory problem happening. It's best if you bring her to the vets for a check-up, the problem may be fixed but it may cost a lot. Signs of respiratory problems are red fluid coming out of it's eyes and nose. Good luck.  

Answer 6

my rat just died to days ago :/

and no one could tell us why.

if its a respiratory infection,

there really isn't much you can do,

except take her to the doctor and get his advice before she suffocates

Answer 7

She sounds like she might be getting pnomonia.  The only way to help her is to take her to the vet and get some antibiotics. I have 7 years experience with pet rats and currently own 17 females so I know how expensive they can get. When my girls become ill I have them seen and Vibramycin seems to work the best for them. Its roughly $40 a bottle. Sounds like your girl is bad off. If you continue to let her go with no antibiotics she will probably die in the next couple of days, And it wont be a peaceful death. Im sorry to say but if she doesnt get the proper meds she will basically suffocate to death. And its not pretty to watch. Get her to the vet if you care about her. I have had rats that were pretty much brought back from there deathbed with some good antibiotics. Who cares if she was free. You guys decided to be there caretakers and vet care is part of that.