My rat is sneezing? I had her on Carefreash, then switched to Aspen?

Question

I had her on Carefreash, then switched to Aspen. At the petstore, they also had her on Carefreash.

(petsmart, very clean, and made sure everything was okay to buy from a petstore. No local breeders :(

After switching beddings, i noticed that the sneezing did subside, but still has them here and there. I have heard of a diease in rats that starts with an "M", not sure if she has this, but should i wait longer, or treat it immidiantly. What is the treatment for it? Can you send me a picture of it via link. (perferably Petsmart.com. Live in U.S.A, please in links for the U.K)

What is an mycoplasmal infection!? Does it sound like my rat has this? If so, do you have to take the rat to the vet, or can you buy something from the store to treat it? If so, what does it look like? (link plz)

Sometimes when she is sleepy she will squint one eye, and sometimes she will move her head from side to side? Could this be that disease?

Answer 1

"Stress or other illnesses can weaken your rat's immune system and cause your rat to break with an active mycoplasmal infection. If left untreated, this can lead to pneumonia.....Some antibiotics proven to be effective against mycoplasma are tetracycline, tylosin, gentamicin, amikacin, chloramphenicol, doxycycline, and enrofloxacin (Baytril). Doses are as follows:

Tetracycline orally at 5 to 10 mg per pound three times daily for at least 14 days
Tylosin orally at 4.5 mg per pound twice daily or 66 mg per litre of water for 14 to 30 days
Gentamicin (best used in combination with Cefadroxil) at 1 to 2 mg per pound injected twice daily for 7 to 14 days
Amikacin at 5 mg per pound injected twice daily for 7 to 14 days
Chloramphenicol at 15 to 25 mg per pound injected twice daily for 7 to 14 days
Doxycycline orally at 2.5 mg per pound twice daily for 14 to 30 days
Enrofloxacin (Baytril) orally at 5 mg per pound twice daily for 14 to 30 days.

Baytril and doxycycline also work extremely well in combination."
http://www.rmca.org/Articles/myco.htm
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Go to that website for more information.

When one of my rats came down with upper respiratory infection **very common, but can be deadly if left untreated**, the vet gave me medication *can't think of what it was* for her AND her cage mate (as precautionary).

Answer 2

A young rat I got a few weeks ago I think had that and my boyfriend gave me something he uses to treat his gamebirds, it worked. I think it probably had that "mycoplasma pulmonis (myco)" I'm not sure of the name, but I'll find out and get back to you (tomorrow...too late now). It's a yellow powder you put in water, and I know farm supply stores carry it....like "Farm & Fleet". I'll star this and get back to you. My guy was sneezing and sniffling alot...still treating, & using heating pad, but seems fine now. Here are some good rat sites I found that I bookmarked for myself:
http://www.dapper.com.au/articles.htm
http://www.petrats.org/
http://www.rmca.org/Articles/herbal.htm
http://mainelyratrescue.org/rattieblog2/
http://wererat.net/rathelp/
http://www.petrat.info/
http://www.ratz.co.uk/health.html
EDIT: He said he gave me "terramycin", I guess a form of tetracycline. I mix it in water (in jug & refrigerate) and put a few drops of honey in his water bottle when I fill with it. I also bought some "Childrens Echinacea" (Alcohol free) from "Herb Pharm", I found in a health food store. I put a small drop in the edge of his cup and loves it. Good luck!!!
Here's a medication site:
http://www.rmca.org/Articles/dchart.htm

Answer 3

if your rat sneezes a lot the rat might be sick. Because my rat only sneezes once in a grave while. I read this in a book and am not saying the usual answer of take the animal to a vet

Answer 4

My female hooded rat sneezed a lot for about a week, then she only sneezes once in awhile. However, she doesn't like air fresheners. The make her sneeze a lot. They don't even need to be in the same room. Your rat may just have allergies. I'm also worried about Myco so I'm still going to the vet. Try to steam so water and let her in the room near the steam but no close enough to harm her for 10 minutes. That helps clear out their nasal cavity.

Answer 5

Almost all rodents carry the disease Mycoplasmosis Pulmonis..it's a respiratory disease that can be treated with meds from the vet..usually Baytrill or Amoxycillian or similar meds..Carefresh can sometimes be dusty triggering problems. It's also possible that your rat has an allergy to her bedding or food? A good vet should be able to determine eaxactly what the problem is...good luck!


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