Pet rat respiratory disease is so pervasive, it is the number one pet rat medical problem. Of the 33 rats I’ve had so far, only a few have been symptom free. Just about every rat has this disease and there is no cure for it. Don’t let this get you down, though. Even though most rats have respiratory disease, many don’t ever show symptoms and can still live long and relatively healthy lives. Pet rats who show symptoms are most often easily managed. While antibiotics don’t cure respiratory disease, they can help by lessening the symptoms and allowing our rats to enjoy a higher quality, longer life.
The bacteria mycoplasma pulmonis lives in the lungs and is the most common organism contributing to respiratory disease in rats. Mycoplasmosis is extremely contagious. It’s so serious, it often causes pneumonia, emphysema, lung abscesses and lesions. If your rat has a mycoplasma infection, there’s also a good chance that secondary respiratory infections are present and sometimes even heart disease. The bacteria mycoplasma pulmonis makes a rat very susceptible to secondary conditions.
What are the symptoms of pet rat respiratory disease?
- Sneezing – Rats do not typically sneeze. If you hear repeated sneezing, your rats have a respiratory problem.
- Porphyrin – A red secretion often seen around the nose or eyes. It looks like blood. But it’s actually a fluid secreted by the Harderian gland which is located behind rats’ eyes. If porphyrin is present it usually means the rat is stressed. This stress can be due to illness.
- Congestion, sounds while breathing, wheezing – A healthy rat’s breathing should be silent.
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Dull, puffed up fur
What are the causes of pet rat respiratory disease?
Besides almost all rats being born with mycoplasma, (by contracting the bacteria directly from their mother), respiratory diseases can also be brought on by:
- Type of litter – Too much dust such as in Care Fresh. Pine and Cedar shavings are toxic for rats and can cause sneezing
- Urine/ammonia build-up in cage can worsen respiratory symptoms or even bring them on.
- Food Allergies – Peanuts and dairy products are among some of the foods that can cause allergic reactions in rats. (From my experience, this is not as common)
- Exposure – Bringing a new pet rat into your home can expose your current rats to respiratory disease. This is why it’s important to always quarantine new pet rats prior to introducing them to existing rats. Also, be very particular about taking your rats to places where there are other pet rats. Only take your rats to places where you’re absolutely certain all of the rats are healthy. (Including yours.)
What will a veterinarian do for your rat if it has respiratory symptoms?
Your rat’s veterinarian will perform a full exam including listening to their lungs and heart. Your vet will listen to your rat’s breathing, and observe for sneezing and porphyrin. You’ll be asked questions to help determine the source of the problem: Could the symptoms be caused by something environmental? When did the symptoms first begin? Are you hearing lots of sneezing when you’re at home with your rats?
If needed, your veterinarian will prescribe one or more medications. The most commonly used medications for pet rat respiratory disease are:
- Amoxicillin, Cefa-Drops – May be prescribed in the beginning to help alleviate any secondary infections which can act much faster than mycoplasma. Not all veterinarians will begin by using these medications.
- Doxycycline – Some rat veterinarians will start with this medication as it is highly effective against mycoplasma.
- Enrofloxacin (Baytril) – Very effective against mycoplasma. It is often considered “the big gun”, making it an option to resort to only if Doxycycline isn’t effective or eventually becomes ineffective. Sometimes combining the two works well.
There are other effective medications not listed above. As long as you have a well-qualified rat veterinarian, you’ll be able to trust they know which medication(s) will be most helpful. Your veterinarian will generally prescribe at least a 6-12 week course of medications. Older rats can safely be on enrofloxacin and/or doxycycline for the rest of their lives. It’s not uncommon for an older rat to be on these medications for 1-2 years.
Other therapies include creating a “spa environment” by steaming up your bathroom with a shower running hot water. Five to ten minutes in a hot, steamy bathroom once or twice daily can often do wonders. If your rat’s respiratory disease is severe, nebulizing can be quite helpful. There are a number of medications your veterinarian can prescribe which can be administered via a nebulizer.
It is extremely important to treat respiratory symptoms promptly, and to follow-through by giving the medication(s) for as long as prescribed. If an antibiotic is only given for a short period of time, (or is given off and on), the bacteria may resist the treatment. A longer course of antibiotics is much more effective in overcoming any resistance.
You’ll usually be able to tell whether or not an antibiotic is helping your rat by the end of the third day on the medication. If the medication your vet prescribed isn’t helping, let them know right away so they can prescribe or add another one.
Pet rat respiratory disease may be prevalent, but there are a lot of great medications and environmental adjustments you can make to keep your rats happy and healthy for as long as possible.
I have two girls. One I got at a local pet store, Boo, and she’s about a year and a half old. The other I got from a breeder,Squeaker, and she’s 6-8 months old. I purchased Squeaker with her sister when they were both babies, but her sister passed away from an illness less than a week after she came home. They both sneeze a LOT, and they don’t look hurt or sick. I read here that sneezing was a sign of illness, but I’m not sure. Where they are kept is pretty dusty due to a lot of stuff in the room. I’m not sure where I can take them if they need to see a vet, because I live in a small town with like 2 veterinarians. What should I do?
Hi Zoey,
If Boo and Squeaker are sneezing every day, several times a day, there is a good possibility they have respiratory issues. Also, dust is a big concern. Can you place your girls in a room that’s kept dust-free or regularly dust and clean the room they’re already in?
Boo and Squeaker need to be seen by a veterinarian who’s knowledgeable about and experienced with pet rats. It’s so important that you establish a relationship for your rats with a veterinarian. A good vet becomes an important member of your team and can provide invaluable help throughout your rats’ lives.
Some options/suggestions for you:
1. Are there any rat clubs or rat breeders in your area? You could contact them and ask for recommendations on where to take your rats for medical care.
2. Are the veterinarians who are in your town familiar at all with pet rats? If not, are they willing to consult with knowledgeable veterinarians and learn about pet rats?
3. Take the time out to drive to the nearest veterinarian who specializes in exotics. I recommend you open Google maps of the town in which you live. Type in “pet rat veterinarian” and see what clinics show up. Click on the closest ones to you to double check they do see pet rats. If the clinic is AAHA certified, you can be assured they are a reputable practice. (If they’re AAHA accredited, you’ll see a red and white logo that says “AAHA” in the upper or lower corner of their website. AAHA = American Animal Hospital Association.) You can also check a veterinary clinic’s online reviews. I’ve had times in the past where I had to drive an hour to take my rats to the vet. After you establish a relationship with your vet, they’ll likely be able to help you on the phone in the future if you’re not able to make the drive. It’s also important to locate the emergency vet options you have available where you live. Find out ahead of time which emergency vets have pet rat veterinarians.
Let me know if you have any further questions and/or need any clarification on what I’ve written here.
Best Wishes to You, Boo & Squeaker,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
My girl Basil (almost 2yo) went to the vet on the 20th for this. It’s now the 24th and she doesn’t seem to be improving AT ALL, is this normal? She’s on amoxicilin and doxycycline twice a day until the 30th AND being syringe fed twice a day. She so weak it’s really worrying.
Hi Sara,
If Basil hasn’t improved after 3-4 days of being on the medications, she needs to be switched to different medications and/or a different combination of medications. It also sounds like your vet may not be very knowledgeable if they prescribed the medication for only 10 days. Usually a veterinarian who’s knowledgeable about and experienced with pet rats will prescribe medication(s) for at least 2 weeks beyond the resolution of symptoms.
The fact that your rat needs to be syringe fed is very concerning. I suggest you try out a different vet and get a 2nd opinion. If your rat is to the point she’s not eating on her own, it extremely urgent she receive vet care ASAP. You didn’t mention what her breathing is like but if it’s labored, she absolutely needs to be seen by a new vet right away. If you really feel like your current vet is knowledgeable, though, call them right away and let them know she’s not improving. A good vet will immediately switch her to new medication(s).
I hope you can get Basil quality vet care ASAP. Please let me know if you have additional questions and/or need any clarification.
Thinking positive for you and Basil,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Hi! I recently started owning rats along with my sister and 2 days ago we got a new rat so our first one wouldn’t be alone. The first rat is perfectly healthy, we took him to the vet and despite all the stress he was a very good boy and turned out fine.
However, the new rat has shown a few symptoms for a respiratory disease, like sounds while breathing, wheezing, snuffling, watery eyes, runny nose and chirping sounds. He also looks a little smaller than the other rats from where we got him from and they’re all about the same age (6-8 months).
We want to take him to the vet but he’s a pretty fearful rat and gets easily scared/frightened by every and anything (even though he gets a little bit more relaxed the more we spend time with him) so we’re afraid it’ll be too much of a traumatic event for him and he won’t trust us anymore.
Can you help us figure out what to do or give us some orientation on how to deal with this?
PS: Thanks for all of your posts! We’re total newbies when it comes to rats and your blog really helps a lot.
Hi Enzo,
First of all, I apologize for taking so long to respond to your questions. Usually I can respond a lot quicker, but this week has been exceptionally busy for me.
I believe that taking your new rat to the vet will actually strengthen his bond with you. When you take him to the vet, he’ll understand that you are his “safety zone” and that you’re taking care of him. Taking him to the vet can initally be stressful for him, but I also believe he can actually grow in his trust of you from going to the vet.
In addition, it’s extremely important to have rats examined ASAP if they’re showing any signs of respiratory disease. The sooner you get them to a vet, the easier it is to treat them.
Taking your rats to the vet should (eventually) become a “routine” event for them. The more often you take them, the more they become used to being examined by a veterinarian.
I’m so glad my website is helping you. Don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any additional questions or need any clarification. You and your sister sound like you’re doing a great job of learning how to take the best care possible of your rats.
Best Wishes to You & Your Rats,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Hi my rat has a respiratory infection and has a swollen nose on one side. Is this normal? She’s been to the vet and given meds which she’s on rn but her little swollen nose is there all puffed up. Should I be concerned? Should I take her back to the vet?
Hi Lyz,
It is not normal to have a swollen nose on one side. I would definitely get your vet to see your rat ASAP. I’d see a vet within the next 24 hours, as long as your rat is breathing normally. If you see any labored breathing (where your rat’s sides are heaving in and out) or any open-mouthed breathing, then this constitutes an emergency. This means your rat needs to be seen right away. If it’s after hours, call to find a local emergency vet who has veterinarians available now who see rats.
Also, keep in mind that your rat should improve on the medication within 3-4 days of starting it. If there’s no improvement, then a different medication needs to be tried.
Let me know if you have any additional questions or need any clarification.
You sound like a wonderful pet rat parent!
Best Wishes to You & Your Rats,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Hello! One of my rats (approximately 2 years old) recently got diagnosed with pneumonia. Due to issues with obtaining a third rat, I only have 2. My rat has had pneumonia for 2 weeks, and has been separated for those 2 weeks from the other one. How long is pneumonia contagious? I can’t get the third just yet and my healthier rat has been incredibly sad despite all the treats and attention. I just want them to be together again.
Hi!
You do not need to separate your rats when one of them has a respiratory disease. Your other rat was already been exposed to respiratory disease even if only one of them is showing symptoms. In fact, most rats are born with respiratory disease—–they just don’t show symptoms until their disease is more advanced.
I have a post, When Is It Necessary to Separate Pet Rats?, that reviews when to separate and when you don’t need to separate your rats.
Did a vet recommend you keep them separated? If so, could there be another reason besides contagion that they wanted you to keep your rats separated?
Also, did you receive medication(s) from an experienced rat vet for your rat who’s sick? This is very important. If your sick rat isn’t already on medication and hasn’t yet been to a vet, I highly recommend you do so as soon as possible. The lpnger you wait, the harder it is to treat.
Let me know if you have any further questions or if you need any clarification on what I’ve written.
Sending positive wishes to you and your rats!
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Hello,
My friend recently asked me to take her 2.5 year old male rat, who lost his mate recently.
She never said why the other mate died, she didn’t pay attention. She gave the rats to her child, and they weren’t in the best of care from what I can tell.
I can tell the one she gave me gas a respiratory issue… no sneezing or oozing of any kind yet, but the one sound is apparent.
I do not have the funds for medications and vet appointments. I did this as a favour because otherwise he would have been in a worse state.
He came with aspen bedding and barely any space. I have replaced the bedding with paper bedding, and expanded his space.
I’m not sure if with his age if there should be anything I can do… he is shy and lethargic. I was told this is due to the passing of his mate… now I wonder if it’s bc he is sick and has been for some time.
I would have to save for vet and meds… is there anything I can do in the meantime? This is all new to me.
Thank you .
Dear Stephanie,
It is very important that the rat you rescued be seen by a veterinarian who’s knowledgeable about and experienced with pet rats. I understand you wrote that you don’t have the money to do this. I wish I could give you tips on what you can do other than taking him to a vet, but it really is the best option for keeping him healthy and happy.
Is there any way your friend (who had your rat originally) could pay for all or at least half of the medical expenses? Or do you have any family members or other friends who would be willing to help you pay for a vet visit and any needed medications?
I agree with you that your rat may be shy and lethargic due to having respiratory issues rather than just because he lost his cage mate. It’s also stressful for rats to be moved to a new environment.
You may already be aware that 2.5 years old is fairly old for a male rat. All the same, you’ll want to keep him as comfortable and healthy as you can. That’s fantastic you made his cage space larger and improved the quality of his bedding.
I advocate taking any new pet rat to the vet within the first few weeks of adopting them. It really makes a difference. A great veterinarian is an invaluable part of your rat care team.
If there’s absolutely no way you can take him to a vet, the best things you can do for him is to provide him with optimum nutrition, ample cage space (which you’re already doing) and giving him lots of love and attention.
If you have any further questions or need any clarification, don’t hesitate to let me know.
Best Wishes to You & Your Rat,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Hello. I have two male rats who are about 4-6 weeks old. They’ve had a respiratory infection ever since I got them and I’ve taken them to the vet a few weeks after getting them. The vet prescribed them with baytril, 0.5 cc’s once daily for 8 days. I gave it to them for about 13 days because they never seemed to get better. As of right now they are still sneezing and coughing, one even sounds a bit worse. The vet mentioned that after the medication if they still seem sick I just wait until it goes away but I’m not too sure. I always make sure their cage is cleaned and sometimes I even use a humidifier. Is there anything else I could do? Do they need other medication?
Hi Asher,
Hi Asher,
As stated on the above page, if a rat doesn’t improve after being on a medication for 3 entire days, a different medication should be tried. In other words, if your rat is on a medication that’s going to help them you’ll be able to see improvement by the end of the 3rd day. It sounds like your rats would benefit from seeing a different vet. It is simply not a good idea to “just wait” until the symptoms go away after being on the medication.
Other signs the vet you saw may not be the most knowledgeable include: Baytril is usually not the first medication tried, especially not for young rats. (More on this is above.) 0.5 cc’s of Baytril is a very high dose. I have 2 rats on Baytril right now and my largest (adult) rat is only on .19 cc’s. Only prescribing an antibiotic for 8 days is not long enough. (More information on this is also above.)
There are some ideas on how to find a good rat vet on this page if you need any help. Another good way is to pull up google maps and type in “Veterinarian Exotic” to see what exotic vets are in your area. From there you’ll still need to research each vet to see if they’re reputable and competent.
Hope this helps and that you can get them seen by a different veterinarian soon.
Best Wishes to You & Your Rats,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Hi! I have three females and the oldest one has been sneezing more frequently, as well as having a lot of porphyrin covering her nose which she’s never had before. She’s started making a low wheezing noise but its not consistent with her breathing, its just random- today it was when she was sleeping, so i was wondering whether to book her a vets appointment. Ive recently introduced a new cage mate who’s settled in and i let the three of them out in a confined space for an hour yesterday. Their cage is cleaned weekly and an absorbent bedding is used so i cant think of anything that could trigger a respiratory illness but im worried. Shes only showed these symptoms for a day or two.
Hi Nathan,
I would definitely take her in for a vet appointment. It sounds especially concerning that she has a lot of porphyrin covering her nose which she hadn’t had before as well as that she’s making the sounds while sleeping. Both of those symptoms are indicative of having a respiratory disease.
I don’t mean to scare you, though: Respiratory diseases can be managed very well by medication. It is important to get her seen as soon as you can. The sooner she gets on the appropriate antibiotic(s) the more chance there is you can decrease or even eliminate her symptoms.
I also recommend regular wellness vet visits for rats as well as initial checkups when bringing new rats into the household. If you’re able to, you could schedule a visit for all 3.
Just thought I’d mention that, whatever type of bedding you’re using, any soiled bedding (from urine and/or feces) should be removed and replaced at least once daily, preferably twice daily. (You may already be doing this.) That’s great you’re doing a complete cage cleaning weekly.
Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions. I hope my response is helpful.
Best Wishes to You & Your Rats,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Hello, my rats have been pretty healthy up until I was holding my bigger one when he started making a noise that sounded like laughing. He hasn’t really made it before and I got a little worried. The other one seems to be fine. What should I do?
Hi Hollianne,
It sounds like it would be a good idea for you to take at least one of your rats in for a checkup by a veterinarian who’s knowledgeable about and experienced with pet rats. I think it’s even a good idea to bring in healthy rats for wellness checks at least every 6 months. Normally if just one of your rats is showing symptoms of a respiratory disease, though, only that one would need to go on medication.
Don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any other questions at any time.
Best Wishes to You & Your Rats,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Hello
We have 2 males rats which are over a year old. They have both been sneezing and have had a course of antibiotics (baytril)for 2 week. They are now sneezing again . We clean their cage ie the ‘greenmile’ cardboard floor material once a week and paper bedding daily. We also hoover their playroom weekly. The vet has suggested a nebuliser but one of the rats is very nervous. Do I ask the vet for a longer course of antibiotics until the stop sneezing?
Many thanks
Hi Jacki,
Baytril for 2 weeks generally isn’t an adequate amount of time for treating respiratory diseases in pet rats. The other thing is that most vets don’t start out with prescribing Baytril. Usually they’ll prescribe something else such as amoxicillin, doxycycline or another antibiotic first. Baytril is most often reserved for later on after other medications have been tried. It’s reserved for when the other medications either stop working or don’t work in the first place.
This is making me wonder if the doctor your rats have been seeing is knowledgeable about and experienced with pet rats? Or maybe your rats were prescribed other antibiotics previously and you just didn’t mention it?
You asked if you should request that your rats be on the Baytril for a longer period of time. My opinion is that your veterinarian should make this decision. It’s up to you, however, to follow-up with your veterinarian and let them know how your rats are doing. Then, depending on what type of help your veterinarian offers, or what they recommend as the next step, you can decide if you’ll need to get a second opinion from a more knowledgeable vet. In most cases, rats should continue taking any antibiotic that’s been helping them for at least 2 weeks post resolution of their symptoms.
A nebulizer is generally used for more severe cases of respiratory problems in rats. You describe your rats as sneezing. This is a milder symptom. If your rats are wheezing and/or struggling to breathe—that would be when a nebulizer (or even oxygen) would be recommended for use.
If you believe your veterinarian is knowledgeable, I’d definitely give them a call and let them know the symptoms have continued to occur. If you have any doubts, it doesn’t hurt to get a second opinion if you think you may be able to find a veterinarian who’s more experienced with rats.
Hope this response is helpful. Don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any additional questions.
Best Wishes to You & Your Rats,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Hi, I got 2 rats two months ago and they have been completely fine and healthy until yesterday I heard two sneezes from the cage but they both seem fine, should this be concerning? And also there was a big weather change which made the room colder. I don’t know if that has anything to do with it?
Hi Genesis,
First of all congRATulations on your new rats!
If you’ve only heard 2 sneezes, it isn’t a concern. If you were to hear a couple of sneezes every hour then it would be concerning.
If you do hear more sneezes, I’d recommend taking them in for an exam by a veterinarian who’s knowledgeable about and experienced with pet rats. It’s a good idea to have all new rats examined shortly after bringing them home and then to have them examined every 3-5 months even if you think they’re healthy. A good vet will be able to catch things even before you may notice something is wrong. This will help you keep your rats healthy and happy for as long as possible.
Weather and room temperature changes can definitely impact the health of your rats. If you can, it’s best to keep a fairly even temperature in their room. In most cases, temperatures that are comfortable for humans are good for your rats as well.
Let me know anytime you have any other questions. You sound like you’re doing a great job of making sure your rats are being well cared for.
Best Wishes to You & Your Rats,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Thank you so much for the awesome info! One of my rats sneezes from time to time and sometimes I see his whiskers tickling his nose, I heard that can happen with Rex rats with curly whiskers. But I’m not sure if that’s the only cause of his sneezing. His breathing is silent and he seems healthy but I don’t want him to be suffering. I can steam him and see if it makes any difference. And I also heard that a small amount of polysporin (sp?) is normal on occasion as long as they groom it, or no?
Hi There!
Porphyrin from time to time can be normal. The best way to know for sure, however, is to have a veterinarian who’s knowledgeable about and experienced with pet rats examine your rats.
If your rat were to sneeze many times each day, that could mean your rat has respiratory disease. Every once in a while is usually not a concern.
I would only use the steam if your rat was truly sick. Even with sick rats, sometimes treating with steam can cause problems—you really have to observe your rat carefully while doing it to see if they’re tolerating it well.
It sounds like you’re doing a fantastic job of learning about and taking great care of your rats!
Let me know anytime you have questions or need more information.
Best Wishes to You & Your Rats,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Hello,
Thank you for this information on respiratory diseases. Do you have any tips for how to administer the medication? Our rats aren’t interested in the taste and we haven’t had luck sticking the dropper into their mouths. Perhaps dropping it on bread would be effective; however, with two different antibiotics given twice a day, that’s a lot of bread.
Thanks so much,
John
Hi John,
Sorry I wasn’t able to respond more quickly. I do have some tips for you: Recipes for Success: Making Pet Rat Medications Appetizing.
Some new things that my rats like to have their medications mixed with are: fruit-flavored coconut or cashew milk yogurt, mashed banana, mashed avocado, baked sweet potato. One of my rats will only take his medication mixed with Amy’s Lentil Soup. You really do have to experiment to see what they find most palatable.
The main tips to keep in mind are: 1) It’s helpful to give the medications one at a time so if they don’t finish it all you’ll know which medication still needs to be given. 2) Whatever you mix the medication with, be sure to mix in the smallest amount possible—-just enough to mask the taste. That way, when it’s a small amount, your rats will be more likely to eat the entire portion.
If you need any further help, don’t hesitate to ask. I promise to respond more quickly next time!
I hope your rats are doing okay and that they begin happily taking their medications (once they’re mixed with yummy ingredients)!
Jasmine
I have four new pet rats. One started making the squeaking sound, and I thought it was a cute purr. Now that I know I need to take him to the vet, should I separate him from the others while we wait for his vet appointment?
Hi Jay,
You do not need to separate your rats from the one who’s making the squeaking sound. The others have already been exposed to respiratory disease even if only one of them is showing symptoms. In fact, most rats are born with respiratory disease—they just don’t show symptoms until their disease is more advanced. Also, usually you only need to medicate the rat with the symptoms.
To be clear and to confirm it is actually a respiratory disease symptom, is your rat that’s making the squeaking sounds doing so on a consistent basis as part of his breathing? Or are the squeaking sounds randomly produced while the rat is playing with or being groomed by the others?
Glad you’re taking your rat to the vet and that you’re doing such a great job of paying attention and observing them. It’s a good idea to take them all to the vet on a regular basis (around every 3-6 months) even if they’re not showing signs of illness.
Thanks for asking your great question! Let me know if you have any other questions any time.
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Thanks for the response. Our four male rats are just five months old. One started making the squeaking sound when we hold him. While he is in the cage with the others, he is quiet. He likes to be held and snuggle. It seems if he gets startled from a loud noise when we are holding him he makes the sound. It is a mild sound. We have steamed him twice since I read your article last night and it helps.
Thoughts?
To clarify,
He only makes the sound when he is with us or playing. He makes it when he is snuggling with us or if he gets startled while he is with us.
It’s hard to say if this is a respiratory disease symptom or if he is just making a squeaking sound when startled or in response to being touched in a certain way. You are welcome to email me a video.
If it’s a prolonged series of squeaking sounds that correspond to the rhythm of his breathing, it’s probably related to respiratory disease. If he squeaks just once or twice in response to being startled or to being groomed by his cage mates, then it could just be he’s vocalizing.
To further complicate it, rats often do exhibit respiratory symptoms when stressed—-so he could be showing symptoms after hearing a loud sound.
Are the sounds similar to the rat in the video I posted on this page? Or are they just single squeaks from time to time?
Feel free to email a video and I’ll be glad to post it here as well so others can view and hear it. Another option is to take them all to a vet who’s experienced with and knowledgeable about pet rats and the vet will do a thorough exam including listening to their lungs with a stethoscope.
Yes, the sound is identical to the video, but the rat only makes it occasionally when he is startled or wants to be alone. It appears to be the sound he makes when he is scared because he is typically quiet. His nose is clean and he exhibits no other symptoms. I will see if I can figure out how to send a video. LOL
Hi Jay,
If the sound your rat is making is a single squeak, it’s not respiratory disease. If he’s making the sound over and over for a sustained period of time, then it’s likely to be respiratory disease.
It’s common for rats to exhibit respiratory symptoms when they become stressed. This can occur when a loud sound is made or if they smell a cat nearby when they’re not used to being around cats. After the stressful situation ends a rat may go back to breathing normally. If the rat’s respiratory disease is advanced, it will continue making the sounds even after the stressful situation has ended.
That’s great you didn’t notice any prophyrin around his nose. (…and hopefully not around his eyes as well.)
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best Wishes to You & Your Rats,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Hello again. One more thing, If I were to buy in of these medications for my rat, do you know where i can buy it and how much to give to my rat?
Hi Tori,
It’s best to get all medications from a veterinarian. There are many different types of medications and a good rat vet will know which medicine best matches your rat’s needs after examining her and listening to her lungs. You can find more information on why it’s best to buy medications from a veterinary clinic in Where to Buy Medications.
Establishing a relationship with a good rat vet early on will help your rat live as long and healthfully as possible. You’ll enjoy learning more about rat care from your vet and will find your vet is an invaluable “team member” when it comes to taking care of your rats.
Best Wishes to You & Your Rats,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Hello. I got a new rat from the petstore yesterday and she has been fine until today, when i noticed her breathing sounded like the one in the video. I’m pretty sure that she has a respiratory infection, but I have no vets around me that treat rats. What should I do?
Hi Tori,
The best thing you can do is to have your rat seen by a vet who’s experienced and knowledgeable about pet rats. I know you said there aren’t any vets around you who treat rats, but I’m wondering if I can help you find someone. I’m going to email you directly and get some more information from you (such as where you live) so I can help you and your new rat.
Because your rat is new, she could be making the sounds due to the stress of being in a different environment. Often times changes such as being moved to a new home can trigger respiratory disease symptoms. Almost all rats already have mycoplasma and a stressful situation can cause a flare-up.
That’s great you observed your rat may have a problem. Many people aren’t aware of what to watch out for as well as don’t notice the subtle signs. Since you know the sounds she’s making aren’t normal or healthy, you’ll be able to get her treated before it gets too serious.
I look forward to helping you via email and will email you right now.
Sending positive wishes for you and your rat,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Hi,
I have 4 male rats 2 of which are baby’s and 2 adults. I noticed when I pick up some of them they make a strange noise that isn’t usuall but it only happens when there picked up and not for all of them, and they will occasionally sneeze but it’s only a couple times a day. Are they just scared of me when I pick them up or is the noise I sign of respitory infection.
Thanks
Hi Tia,
The best way to find out the answer to your question is to have your rats examined by a veterinarian who’s knowledgeable about and experienced with pet rats. Your rats’ veterinarian will perform a full exam including using a stethoscope to listen to their lungs and heart. Your vet will listen to your rat’s breathing, and observe for sneezing and porphyrin.
If a rat does have respiratory disease, they will make a wheezing sound frequently throughout the day. It usually doesn’t only coincide with your picking them up. If you’d like to email me a video, I’ll be glad to take a look at it. (I will email you separately so you’ll have my email address.)
Sneezing a couple of times a day is actually a lot of sneezing. Hearing a rat sneeze maybe once every 3 days wouldn’t be something to worry about….but several times a day could be a sign of respiratory disease. Again, I highly recommend you have them examined by a veterinarian who specializes in rats.
Let me know if you have any other questions or need any clarification on my response.
You sound like a great rat caretaker. I’m so glad to hear about how closely you’re observing and monitoring your rats.
Best Wishes to You & Your Rats,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
Hello,
I’ve had 2 new pet rats for about a month now and they’ve already been on a corse of baytril but they’re still sneezing. The last time I took them back to the vet she said they didn’t need the antibiotics any more and that they would be fine. I live in a small town in the uk and not many of the vets in my local veterinary practice know much about rats. I’ve tried the steam, but that has little effect and I was wondering if there was anything else i could give them or do to stop getting them ill? They have slight squeeky breathing and in December before I brought the new ones one of my orginals had to be put to sleep due to a secondary respiratory infection. I’ll do anything I can to keep them alive but if the vets don’t cooperate then what can I do?
Hi Sam,
It sounds like you’re already aware your rats shouldn’t make any sound at all when they breathe. Your rats should be on antibiotics long enough so that their symptoms are completely eliminated. They should actually continue taking medication(s) beyond the time when their symptoms are gone.
My current vet prescribes Ofloxacin ophthalmic drops which are given three times a day for ten days. This helps clear up sinus congestion. In addition, my current vet prescribes the antibiotic, Doxycycline, for 30 days. Most vets with whom I’m familiar start with Doxycycline rather than Baytril.
Can you ask your vet if you can try Doxycycline and if you can give it to your rats for 30 days? The Ofloxacin is also very effective, if your vet would be willing to prescribe it in addition to the Doxycycline.
If your current veterinarian refuses to prescribe any further antibiotics, I’d do anything and everything you can to get your rats treated by a different veterinarian. If you’re having trouble finding a different vet, there are lots of rat groups on facebook. I’m including a photo in my response here so you can see names of some of the UK pet rat groups. I’m sure you can post in these groups to ask for recommendations of qualified vets within driving distance of where you live. If you’d like further help finding a different veterinarian, let me know and I’ll be glad to do some additional research for you.
I’m so glad you’ve asked this question because, as you know, respiratory disease and/or resulting secondary infections can be fatal.
Best Wishes to You & Your Rats,
Jasmine About Pet Rats
Hello doctor
I have a white mouse and he is heavily breaching last two days and his whole is getting swelled.some time his nose bleed.
I hope you’ve been able to take your mouse in to see a veterinarian who’s experienced and knowledgeable about pet mice. I don’t have any experience with mice, nor am I a doctor. However, I do know that whenever any animal has trouble breathing, it requires immediate medical attention.
Sending positive wishes for you and your mouse,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats
I just read here that CareFresh is bad because of too much dust. That is what I have been using. What is a good litter?
Hi Diana,
CareFresh can contribute dust to your pet rats’ environment. My page, Pet Rat Bedding & Litter, has recommendations for alternatives.
Thanks for asking and don’t hesitate to let me know if you have other questions in the future.
Best Wishes to You & Your Rats,
Jasmine | About Pet Rats