My new rat I just bought is sick? ?

Question

I just bought a rat from Petco, and he's been sneezing a lot. I mean, he'll be quiet for a while, but then just snart sneezing for a few minutes. Only once have I seen him sneeze up actual snot (The red stuff, right?) And he's perfectly healthy, eating and drinking fine, VERY Active! Is something wrong with him? D:

Answer 1

Petco actually has to take care of this...If you think any animal that you buy from "Petco" is sick and it has been within 15 days of the purchase date. They have to take the animal to THEIR vet and have it looked at. You pay NOTHING!

Most people will not let you know they do this b/c they don’t want to have to pay for it. But it is policy.

So if it is within 15 days of when you got your rat. Just take it back let them know he is showing signs of being sick and you would like him to be looked at. They make an appointment with their vet and take him there for you and will call you when he comes back. You shouldn’t have to pay anything. And you get to keep your pet. Good luck with this and I hope it works out for you.

And be careful, what I am telling you in 100% true. But they don’t like people to know.

Answer 2

If you are using pine or cedar shavings then he may be suffering from that. Try carefresh. If not he might have a cold.....you should probably take him to the vet. And yes their snot and tears are red, so it's not blood. Good luck!!!

Answer 3

he has mycoplasma which is an uncurable disease that takes their lives away too early. now you know not to buy animals from petco, they will almost always have diseases. you will have to syringe feed your rat medicine everyday for the rest of its life, and dont think about getting another rat because mycoplasma is highly contagious

Answer 4

maybe    

Answer 5

I definitely agree that it wouldn't hurt to take it to petco so they can have a vet look at it for free.

There are a variety of reasons why your rat might be sneezing, from mundane and harmless, to deadly.

For example, rats sneeze when they are stressed.  That red "snot" from your rat is just porphyrin and appears when they stressed, the cage isn't clean enough, and possible sinus infection, etc.  It's highly possible that your rat is just stressed from the new environment and is sneezing.  It's also possible that your rat is allergic to the litter/bedding or it's just bothering him.

Here's a good site to check out for : http://www.quite.co.uk/rats/#Sneezing/Wh...

As a side note, once your rat is healthy you should really consider getting your rat a friend.  Rats are highly sociable creatures and need a buddy to be psychologically healthy.  Even if you play with him a lot you'll still be at school/work and sleeping part of the day.  Here's a site about introducing new rats to each other (if you can't get one from his original cagemates).  http://www.fancy-rats.co.uk/information/...

Hope that helps and good luck with your little guy!

Answer 6

i would take him back infact i wouldnt even go there to get it every time some1 gets 1 from there its ill or hurt in someway and snot asfar as i know is greennot red (blood)

Answer 7

take it back to where you bought it and they have to check it they're vet will and give you free medicine to give to him daily it's policy they shouldn't of sold you a sick mouse but take him back asap today and see whats going on with him best of luck to you and your rat take care the both of you.

I bought a mouse and he was sick and now he's fine  

Answer 8

he probably has a cold mine did when i first got her but she didnt sneeze snot.