My new baby rat is having a sneezing problem, but theres no red stuff.?

Question

I recently adopted a baby rat who was in good health (hes currently 6wks old). He lived with another adult rat & 4 mice in pine PELLET (not shavings!) litter mixed w/ Yesterdays News (cat version) w/ carefresh paper ontop. Lately he's been sneezing quite often, I've looked at his nose and the stuff is clear. It goes away at times and his nose is fine and dry, then randomly gets sneezing fits. Its so weird. I have him now with some antibiotics that were orignally prescribed for my mouse and in Ultra Carefresh bedding. Anyone know what could be wrong? His breathing sounds fine, btw. No congestion or gurgling.

Answer 1

he has respiratory infections. this can be treated by a medicine at the vet.

Answer 2

I've had similar problems a few times with rats, where they would have Myco symptoms but none of the messy porphyrin sneezing ("red stuff" that's not quite blood). A fellow rat-breeder told me that I could use tetracycline tablets, crushed in their water. Tetracycline is normally sold in dissolving-tablet form for some kind of antibacterial medication, usually for fishtanks! Interestingly enough, I crushed up a little bit of a tablet and put it in the water bottle with my "problem" ratties. After a few days, they seemed to sneeze less and be more comfortable. I stopped using it, and a few weeks later, the sneezing came back. So now I just alternate using the medicine, and the next time I change the bottle, not using it. Then, the time after, I'll use it again, off and on, since they don't seem to be able to develop a way to keep from getting sneezy. Hope that helped!

Answer 3

How long has he been on the Carefresh? I know that rats have very sensitive respiratory systems and pine is very harsh for them to breath. When I worked at a pet store, the rats were originally housed on pine, they were sneezing all the time. After taking them off and putting them on Aspen, they stopped sneezing. It may take a little time before the irritation wears offs in his system. Watch him carefully though, if he doesn't get better, or if he gets worse, take him to a vet that specializes in exotics.

Answer 4

Hi! Box like stuff? Paper? I'm not sure what bedding you mean sweetheart. Your box like stuff - is it cardboard you mean? And your paper bedding - which bedding is it? Are they actual brands? :) Occasional sneezing is quite normal in ratties, especially if you have just got them and brought them home - excitement and nerves act raise ratties histamine levels (which results in allergies) and consequently, it makes them sneeze. Histamine is created when you have an allergic reaction to something - it's our equivalent of 'Hayfever' and we take 'anti-histamine's' to combat that. :) Sometimes Porphyrin can be present when we bring our rattys home, too, due to nervousness at being removed from their home and placed somewhere new, with new smells. One quick question - did you buy only one rat? This could explain why your ratty is sneezing and has porphyrin staining - this indicates a great deal of stress at him being taken away from the pet shop on his own without another ratty for company. You MUST, if you only bought one, go out and purchase another one IMMEDIATELY. Rats suffer from major depression if they are kept alone, and yes, even males. Males are no more likely to fight being kept together than females. It could be allergies, yes. Pine, Cedar, Aspen and Carefresh beddings have all been known to cause allergic reactions in ratties due to the amounts of dust in them. I would eliminate those bedding's, if that's what you use. For bedding I highly recommend 'EcoBed' - this is a cardboard based bedding which is guaranteed to be dust and mite free. :) The red discharge you can see coming out of his nose is a discharge mucus called 'Porphyrin' - this means that your ratty is under some kind of stress, whether it's from infection or if it's from allergies, or even just plain stress! The best way to figure out whether or not it is a Respiratory infection (which it most likely is) is have a listen to your ratty's chest - if you can hear a sort of clicking, then it's a respiratory infection. Rattie's breathing is silent, you see. If there's any noise from his normal breathing then it's definately a respiratory infection. The best way to go about dealing with this type of situation, though, is to take ratty to the vet - they will listen to his breathing and decide on the appropriate action. Some vets are quite hesitant prescribing the usual respiratory antibiotic, Baytril, to baby rats, however - your vet would need to decide on the best port of call on how to treat the infection if there is one present. Any sign of Porphyrin in ratties should be an immediate trip to the vets. :) Good luck and hope ratty feels better!

Answer 5

He could be irritated by the bedding you use. Woodchips often cause allegyies. A common symptom of Mycoplasma is sneezing. Most rats are born with a certain amount of this in their genes and it can be fatel if not treated. If you change the beding and your rat continues to sneeze or sneezing becomes worse (eg. blood) I would advise you taking your rat to the vet. My rats are treated with a course of antibiotics called Baytril. Good Luck.

Answer 6

Rats often have bacterial respiratory problems. They can be treated, but can return again and again. Antibiotics can help temporarily. Pneumonia is a complication in some cases. Use a dust-free litter (the care fresh is good), lots of cage cleaning, good food (rodent block is best) and fresh water. Check with a good pocket pet vet for more info.

Answer 7

Um, Well my rat had this as well.
She would sneeze allot too.
We never did anything about it but she was just fine.
We got her at about 6weeks and she had the same symptoms as your little boy, But we just left her as she was and she was fine.
Maybe they have allergic or something like that I don't know.
But I should add she still sneezes and she is now allot older..
Its yuck if they sneeze on you by the way.

Answer 8

everytime you move a rat to a new home, they will sneeze for a few days.. im not sure why, but its nothing to be concerned about.. wait about three days and if it continues then take it to a vet or breeder to look at it. (not a pet store cause they usually dont know squat)

Answer 9

when you bring a new rat home they sometimes have a little trouble adjusting to their surroundings and they sneeze. if you see no other problems, it's probably no big deal and it'll stop in a few weeks. i'd probably take it off the antibiotics, i don't think it needs them.

Answer 10

He might have a cold.