i got a pet rat, third party, did alot of research, am starting to worry, they keep sneazing alot whren they are in the cage, its like an aquarium, which i hope to replace soon, could the fish tank be the cause of thier constant sneazing, also some times it sounds like heavy breathing, folowed by sneazing, they are still kinda new, about 1 year old, can someone please sugest a cheep or free cage, there are 2 male rats, born and raized together, so they dont fight, i need some help, can someone chat with me via msn, Bob7k@passport.com
it would help alot if i can get into a chat with a pro fancy rat person to a kinda newb.
2006-09-05 19:23:01 · 8 answers · asked by Bob7k 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
does anyone know how much the antibiotics cost? or a price range, in USD?
2006-09-05 19:34:01 · update #1
I would change to using a paper based bedding, and get the rats to the vet. The antibiotics are not very expensive, because most of the ones that are used in rats are pretty cheap, and they don't require a large amount. But sneezing and upper respiratory infections can quickly change to pneumonia.
Good luck.
2006-09-05 20:40:33 · answer #1 · answered by clovicat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be that whatever you're using as bedding is irritating them. The other possibility is that your rats got micoplasmosis which is found in 80% of pet rats. What I do to help control the sneezing is I purchase Ornacycline, which is found in the bird section of a pet store. Around here (Central Canada) it goes for about $7-9 for a box of 8 pills. I strongly recommend that you speak to a vet first to see what is wrong, or use this as a last resort if you can't get to a vet and your guys are really going down hill.
To cut the ornacycline tablets to ratty sized doses, use a pill cutter and cut one pill into 8 sections. I mix one crushed section into a small amount of pudding, or, if my rat is really helpful, I'll towel them and offer them the dosage from my fingers. Feed one section three times a day for 2 weeks. One bird sized pill should last one rat two and a half days.
You can find really cheap cages at a used pet supply store. I got several, almost new cages for a quarter of their regular price. You can also build your own by using metal storage cubes (Called C&C cages in the guinea pig fancy) and twist ties. I use a very large finch flight cage for my girls. I also built one out of hardware cloth and found it a pain to clean. You can find good plan instructions all over the net :-) . I'll post some of my finds under 'sources' .
Good luck! Rats are great little pets!
2006-09-05 19:59:04 · answer #2 · answered by white_ravens_white_crows 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If mold grew in the tank, or if cedar shavings were used, or not changed often enough, it would cause respiratory problems.. I would try cleaning the tank thoroughly and changing the bedding to see if it makes a difference.... Rats do fine in aquariums, if the tank is large enough..Here is a great rat care site> http://www.quite.co.uk/rats/
2006-09-05 19:45:40 · answer #3 · answered by Chetco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may be the bedding you are using some small rodents will have reactions like that to the bedding, my rat I had just currently died, and from what I have no idea but he was allergic to pine bedding.
2006-09-05 20:21:11 · answer #4 · answered by Sarah T 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
keep them in proper airy clean cage,it could be due to some allergy as the immune system of rats is simillar to human beings.
2006-09-05 19:28:23 · answer #5 · answered by DR ARUN 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my son has fancy rats and they were sneezing too. they have a cold so you need to see the vet and get some antibiotics
2006-09-05 19:30:33 · answer #6 · answered by roodawgs98 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be the substrate your keeping them in. I din't think mice like cader shavings.
2006-09-05 20:43:25 · answer #7 · answered by sciteach9 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is sick!!!
2006-09-05 19:59:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋