gemma
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by gemma on Aug 8, 2009 11:33:17 GMT 10
I apologize in advance if this subject has already been brought up.
I'm sure that my rat (Ace) has something wrong with him. When I go to see him first thing in the morning he has red liquid all around his nose and he also sneezes a lot. I'm worried for his health, if it is serious is there any home remedies I could try? Or how much would the vet cost?
Also should I move his cage-mate just in case it's contagious?
P.S. I clean their cage out every three days and I give them fresh food and water every day.
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Post by christie on Aug 8, 2009 12:15:52 GMT 10
The red liquid your seeing is poryphrin its a substance that all rats produce. While they sleep it builds up and they usually clean it off once they wake up. When rats are sick they produce excess poryphrin and its harder to keep it cleaned off.
Can you hear any crackling in his chest at all? Rats commonly get URI's (Upper Respiratory Infections) which the symptoms are sneezing, wheezing, crackling chest and excess poryphin. A rat with an URI might have just one or 2 of the symptoms or all of them.
So its best to take the said ratty into the vets for some medications. No one can really tell you how much its going to cost (unless someone knows of a vet near you) because vets charge all different prices. But the vet i go see would charge me between $50 to $70 depending on weather or not the ratty needed an injection of meds first or not.
You wont need to separate his cage mate. Its not really contagious so you don't have to worry about that, and you wouldn't want to stress your already sick ratty.
Good luck and i hope your little guy gets better soon.
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gemma
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by gemma on Aug 8, 2009 12:53:15 GMT 10
Thank you very much for answering my question. His breathing seems pretty normal, I'm probably just worrying too much ^^' I'll get him checked out at the vets just in case, thank you again.
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Post by christie on Aug 8, 2009 16:37:06 GMT 10
If his breathing is fine but he is sneezing, its also possible that there is dust around making him sneeze as rats have really sensitive lungs. Its also possible that its an allergy to something in or around the cage as well.
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Claire
Aussie Rat Owner
Posts: 14
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Post by Claire on Aug 8, 2009 22:18:03 GMT 10
i don't want to scare you but my rat rosie sneezed a little but seemed fine the next day i woke to find her dead from a respitory infection and now her sister is being treated for it!
now i think if you are not sure go to the vet asap the wost that could happen if you do is you wasted money and you still have your boy not a bad out come i think
goodluck and i hope he is well
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gemma
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by gemma on Aug 8, 2009 22:54:25 GMT 10
Oh that's awful, I'm sorry for your loss. There is a good chance that my rat is sneezing from the litter I use, it's very dusty and even makes me sneeze! Thank you for the advice, I'll take him to the vet to be on the safe side, whats a few replaceable dollars compared to my ratties life!
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Post by chocrats on Sept 19, 2009 12:50:46 GMT 10
One of my females had a myco flareup.. she was on baytril for a while, but she ended up getting pneumonia. I had to put her to sleep, I couldn't see her suffering.. it was so sad  |
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Post by Leeann on Sept 20, 2009 9:44:49 GMT 10
Many things can make a rat sneeze. And if the sneezing is heaps and porphrin in there, the BEST thing to do is take them to the vets asap. Sometimes it is a minor thing that has caused this but at times it is more serious.
Sometimes we don't realise that a new smell/fragrance to us could affect our rats.
Here are the more common things that we may use but the list is endless.
Type of litter used in the cage (some are very dusty)
Cleaning products used to clean the cage or house
Air fresheners
Fly or insect sprays.
Perfumes/aftershave lotions/moisterisers
Is the cage in a draft or near an open window. This can sometimes make them sneeze with dust being blown in.
Stress to the rat can also cause them to have a sneezing session too.
Look at things like other animals in the house, are they going near the cage. Young children being loud, though this is often normal for young children it may upset a rat if the are not used to it.
Vet costs vary depending on the vets, so it is difficult to give you an idea on cost.
Cost can go up if the rat needs to be on medication for longer than a single course of medication.
None of the above is there to upset or scare you but to open up thinking of possible reasons why your rat may be sneezing all of a sudden.
Good Luck and hope he gets better soon.
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