My rat is sick?

Question

I just got two rats for my 15th birthday which is today, I've had them for a few hours now and my 'fancy rat' that I named Bailey keeps sneezing. Is it normal? Can she get the other rat in the cage ill? I hope she isn't sick because Bailey is a true sweetheart, but she sneezes a lot and she itches herself a lot, unlike Eeyore (other rat in the cage) But eeyore is a different breed which I don't think has anything to do with it; but is it normal for rats to sneeze a lot when getting into a new environment??

The bedding and the food is the same as it was when we bought them in their old cage.

Answer 1

Any domesticated rat is the same breed, they just come in different hair/marking/color variations. :)

While it is true that sneezing can indicate respiratory problems, which are common in rats, it's also likely that this is just a case of the new home sneezies. :P Sometimes, certain rats just get very sneezy their first few days in a new environment. My boy Reggie still sneezes all the time when I take him out to play, because he's so excited. :P Nothing to do with respiratory problems.

If I were you, I'd just keep an eye on her. If she's still doing it in a week or gets worse & shows more symptoms, then consider taking her to a vet for a check. :)

And congrats on your new rats! Once you know the joy of being a ratty owner, it's hard to stop! I have 5 boys right now. :P 3 new little guys I just got today & my 2 big boys.

Check out these forums, they're really informative & everyone there is SUPER nice.

http://www.ratforum.com

http://www.goosemoose.com/component/opti...

Answer 2

yes ,,

yoour rat is sick i think u should go ask a pet store about some more info just to make sure it can't harm you

Answer 3

i used to also have a fancy rat and she kept on sneezing i thought she was squeaking but i went back to the store and asked them what was wrong and they said she was sick and she could also get other humans or animals sick. wash your hands before and after holding her.

Answer 4

Sneezing is one of the initial symptoms of upper respiratory disease in rats. It is also a very normal reaction to air-borne irritants, dust, the wrong type of bedding (cedar or pine). I have noticed that many new rats go through a sneezy stage when they first arrive at a new home.

Many people ask the same question that you are when they first get rats. What you need to do is to be aware of other signs of upper respiratory disease. If your rat is sneezing very often, or showing red, porphyrin stains at the eyes and nose, or sounding congested, or losing weight, or having difficulty breathing-- labored breathing-- see a vet. If you need a suggestion see the following lists that have been recommended by pet rat owners from all over.

<>http://www.rmca.org/Resources/vets.htm>

<>http://www.ratfanclub.org/vetref.html>

Here are some articles on respiratory disease and the RMCA Drug Chart (over the counter cold medications are not the best way to treat respiratory disease). The most important thing with a new pet is too make sure that you are meeting its physical needs--to lessen the chance that it will succumb to disease. The following things are very important. Use a dust-free litter/bedding (no cedar or pine!). Keep the litter clean-- no ammonia build up-- that can damage their lungs. Provide a draft-free setting with temperatures you would be comfortable with, and make sure the air isn't too dry (use a warm air humidifier if necessary). Feed a well balanced diet-- not too much protein-- not too many fatty seeds and treats-- give plenty of water, vegetables, fresh fruit, rat block. Keep the environment interesting-- don't overcrowd it.

<>http://www.rmca.org/Articles/dchart.htm>

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

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

<>http://members.aol.com/MMCart3475/Myco.h...