Rat Sneezing? Keep them seperated?

Question

I just got two rats from the pet store(my only option. I called shelters and such, but to no avail). I got one a couple of days ago because she was the only one in the cage, so I figured that if she was going to be alone in that cage, she might as well come home and be without her ratty friends! She's really warmed up to me, and I really adore her.

Today, I got her a friend. I let her settle in to her new home for a while, and she has been eating really well. Then, I put them both in the bath tub(no water, of course!), and they really seemed to like each other. No squabbles whatsoever. However, I noticed that the new rat was sneezing quite a bit. I've done some research and I know the signs to look for in a Myco flair up or a URI. I'm just wondering if I should go ahead and let them be in the same cage, or if I should keep them seperated until the new ratty stops sneezing?

Also, I've heard GoldenSeal can help with flu like symptoms and colds. Just a pinch in their water? continued.

Answer 1

It COULD be a URI, but it could also just be adjusting to a new environment. My rat, Reggie, did this, although my other boy Templeton did not. Some rats sneeze a lot while they adjust, and others don't. It could also be the onset of a respiratory infection. Give it a few days.

Either way, though, you should separate them for at least two weeks just to be sure. It sucks to have to wait, I know, but it will be worth it. When I first got rats, someone told me to quarantine, and I just wanted to introduce them! So I said.. "Oh.. he seems OK." Then I ended up with two ill rats and lots of vet bills.

Answer 2

it's an upper respiratory infection.  almost all rats always have this from petstores.  no need to seperate if you got the other one from a petstore.  it's probably never going to fully go away, the severity of it will come and go, but more than likely both have been exposed anyway.

if you notice a red staining around the nose and eyes of either rat take them to the vet.  they might need a round of antibiotics to help clear up the current infection. but upper respiratory infections in rats are a lifelong battle.  some do just fine and live many years with off and on symptoms.

it's a common and almost guaranteed thing you'll get with rats from a petstore.

Answer 3

my girlfriend and i have had four pet rats, two small and two medium. Three of them sneezed all the time, the internet said it was respiratory problems, we changed their bedding to carefresh (recycled paper). i just thought the sneezing was normal, we did not treat them in any way  and they all lived long and what seemed like happy lives.

Answer 4

You can seperate them but if they have been in close contact with each other they both have it. The only rats that are not inbred with myco are lab rats. What myco does is create a blister like abcess on the lungs. If not treated with antibiotics there lungs will get worse and worse. Some rats yes are sneezers and have no respitory infection. The sneezing could be due to the new environment or stress. Stress is a good cause of respitory infections. If you hear weezing, see labored breathing, hair fluffed and standing up, hunched posture, popherin on the nose and or coming out of the eyes these are all signs of a respitory infection and they need to go to the vet. Also most of the time when a rat gets sick the infection is already very well advanced. Rats will mask there illness as long as possible. Since they are the lowest on the food chain any signs of illness would make them look weak. And alot of the time when you do see any of these signs in a sick rat its a secondary infection and sometimes very difficult to treat. My rats just got off there medicine and had to go back on another dose of Vibramycin 3 days later because it didnt take all of it away. Now they have had 2 doses of it for 2 weeks now and they are all better. Most of the time when you take one into the vet they will give you enough medicine to treat all of your rats at home to. Its expensive for me because I have 17 girls total. I have my own rat petting zoo(lol). My reccomendation is that if the sneezing is still there by Saturday get one of your girls into the vet so you can get both some antibiotics.

Answer 5

Well! Ask your vet to see if GoldenSeal is safe. Maybe your rattie is sick with something else. Or maybe it's just allergic to something near it. Harry Potter? OOO! Well, there is Luna, Ginny, or her full name, there is (oh, these are girl names) Hermione, Lily, Petunia ( although I wouldn't want to name them that) um, Lavender, Parvati, Padma, Pansy........(yuck..) Narcissa, Bellatrix, ....oh, bad memory...........can't remember anymore...Mrs...Weasley..hee hee. Anymore.....UM...Fleur, Cho, Oh no...there is sooo much more..........Helena, Minerva, Dolores Jane, Gray Lady......

Answer 6

Rats tend to sneeze when they get stressed out.  She might just be getting used to the environment.  You might want to consider a different bedding.  Some types are more dusty than others.  CareFresh is a great brand to try if you don't already have it.

If she won't stop after a week or two and you really are concerned, take her to a vet.  Even though it can be pricey, you'll have the peace of mind knowing what's wrong.

Hope that helps.