Healthcare and Rats

This is a quick look at common health problems and your pet rats.

Stress:
Rats can become stressed over changes in food, housing or litter brand. They can get stressed over a new cage mate, or the loss of one. New pets in the family and trips to the vet can cause stress. Look for them chewing on cage bars, or plucking their own fur, and some rats may sleep more than usual. Give your pet familiar toys, treats and friendly play or cuddling.

Myco:
Mycoplasma pulmonis. All rats carry the bacteria and it cannot be cured. This disease flares up when rats are stressed, or the weather changes. Some rats may sneeze, or wheeze. This problem can generally be managed with antibiotics from your vet.

Respiratory Infections:
These can’t be cured with medicine, but can be relieved and treated. Antibiotics can help control bacterial infections like strep throat and secondary infections such as Myco.

Pneumonia:
Pneumonia is a very common source of death in rats. It can be caused by any respiratory infection and is usually compounded by cold, stress, or other infections. Early symptoms are lethargy, heavy breathing, and sometimes wheezing. In advanced stages, your rat may stop moving or responding completely, body temperature drops, feet may look blue, ears and nose appear pale, and your pet may gasp for air.

Sneezing:
It’s common that pet rats will sneeze for about a week after they’re brought home. It’s a reaction to the stress of being moved. Rats will also sneeze because of dust, cold, illness and allergies. Perfumes, air fresheners and cigarette smoke can also cause your pet to sneeze and become congested.

Red Tears:
Poryphin is mucus rats produce when stressed, or sick. It’s a red liquid, or crust, that you’ll see on your pet’s eyes, or nose. Poryphin by itself is no cause for alarm, but if it is excessive look for the source. It can be caused by stress, illness, eye irritation, or allergies.

Hiccups:
Sometimes hiccups are caused by respiratory problems, but usually come from being excited or eating too fast.

Vomit:
Rats cannot regurgitate. If they choke on something, you will have to hold them upside-down and tap on them to help dislodge what they’ve swallowed

Teeth:
Your pet rats’ incisors should be yellow to orange in color. Rodents’ incisors are always growing and they need to be provided with wood chews, nuts, or bones to help wear them down.

Parasites:
Dogs, cats, and other animals will not get the mites or lice carried by rats. Symptoms are scabs and incessant scratching. A mite spray made for small mammals or birds can be used to eliminate the pests on your rats and in their cages and bedding.

Scabs:
If you can’t put the cause of your pets’ scabs to parasites, or rough play, it could be a food or bedding allergy. Too much protein in your rats’ diet can cause scabbing.

Orange Oil:
Male rats produce orange oil on their backs that gives them a slight musky odor. There is nothing wrong and you can wash it off every month or so, as long as you don’t irritate their skin.

Tumors:
Not all lumps on your pet rat are tumors. Abscesses are common and can be taken care of by your vet.

Pregnancy:
Your pet rat will show signs of pregnancy after two weeks. Her belly will swell and her nipples may protrude. A few hours before giving birth, most rats begin nesting. Giving birth and pregnancy is extremely stressful and a health risk to your pet. It decreases their life span and can go wrong in many ways. It can be difficult to find good homes for the babies which create other problems for the owners of pet rats.