What to Do If Your Pet Rat Is Having Breathing Issues

May 30, 2022

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Here we can see, “What to Do If Your Pet Rat Is Having Breathing Issues”

Breathing difficulties in rats are common in animal hospitals, and they usually develop quickly. It is critical for a rat owner to understand what causes breathing difficulties in rats, how to prevent them, and how they are treated.

Table of Contents

What Causes Rat Breathing Problems?

Breathing issues in pet rats can be caused by a variety of circumstances. Respiratory discomfort in your pet rat can be caused by a variety of factors, including the kind and quality of bedding, the cleanliness of the environment in which your rat lives, and other diseases and infections.

Bacterial infections – Mycoplasma is a bacteria that is found in almost all pet rats. When a pet rat’s immune system is weakened, whether from stress or another disease, these bacteria cause mycoplasmosis, an upper respiratory infection that can progress to pneumonia if left untreated. Streptococcus, Bordetella (the bacteria that causes your dog’s cough), Pasteurella, and other bacteria can also cause respiratory problems, but they are not as dangerous as mycoplasmosis.
Viral infections – Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) and the Seoul virus are two viral illnesses that are more common in pet rats. LCM is a virus that affects a small number of people. It is spread through rats’ urine, excrement, saliva, and other cage components (and other rodents). Although the Seoul virus does not cause illness in rats, it is extremely deadly to people. It’s a form of hantavirus that Norway rats carry. When a human is infected with the Seoul virus, symptoms can range from mild to severe, requiring hospitalisation.

Also See: Rat Intelligence, Personality, and Concern

Bedding issues – When the cage substrate is at fault, the main culprit for respiratory sickness is dusty, unclean, or cedar shaving bedding. Avoid using cedar shavings as a substrate, and keep the bedding clean and dust-free.
Getting chilled – Being too close to an air conditioning vent, window, or door can cause rats to acquire a cold. In a rat, any abrupt temperature shift might be hazardous and cause breathing problems.
Tumors – Tumors are common in rats, especially along their mammary chains. Breast tumours can affect both male and female rats, and they can spread throughout the body, even to the lungs, causing breathing issues. The best approach to identifying if your rat’s lungs have tumours is to use an X-ray or a CT scan.

Treatment of Breathing Issues in Rats

If your rat is having trouble breathing, seek aid from your exotic vet as soon as possible, regardless of whether or not there is nasal or ocular discharge. If your rat has a more serious ailment than a simple cold, the therapy will depend on the nature of the disease.

Mycoplasmosis – There is currently no cure for mycoplasmosis; addressing the symptoms of the disease is the only way to keep your rat comfortable and limit the disease’s progression. Your veterinarian will prescribe antibiotics and other drugs based on the severity of the ailment. New treatment procedures are slowly becoming available, so your veterinarian may decide to try something new with your permission, or possibly a vaccination or cure will be discovered one day. Rats can live for several years after being diagnosed with mycoplasmosis and have a good quality of life while on chronic drugs until that time comes.
Other bacterial infections – Because the infection can swiftly escalate into pneumonia, treatment should be started right away. Pet rats get sick from streptococcus infections, but if you start antibiotics before your pet rat gets pneumonia, you might be able to save it.
Viral infections – Because a rat infected with the Seoul virus can spread the infection to other rats and people, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that infected rats be euthanized.

Also See: Issues with Rat Teeth

Bedding Issues – A healthy rat requires a clean environment. Instead of wood shavings, try using shredded paper in the cage. It is a cost-effective solution that can be readily removed and replaced.
Getting chilled – If your rat becomes chilled, a veterinarian will determine the best course of action. Upper respiratory infections frequently progress to lower respiratory infections and should be treated as such. Even if the respiratory problems are not caused by germs such as Streptococcus or Mycoplasma, they should be treated as quickly as possible with appropriate drugs and warmth.
Tumors – Your veterinarian will determine the type of tumour and suggest a treatment plan. Some tumours may need to be surgically removed, while others can be managed with medication. Unfortunately, some varieties are incurable.

Keeping Rats from Having Breathing Issues

Keeping rats enclosures clean is the best approach to prevent most respiratory problems. If you’re not sure what diseases other rats may carry, keep your pet rat away from them. Rats can easily spread diseases to one another. If you have a sick rat at home with other rats, isolate it from the others and wash your hands properly after handling it.

User Questions

Why is my rat not breathing?

Respiratory difficulties in mice and rats are frequently caused by a bacteria called Mycoplasma, which can cause a variety of respiratory symptoms and frequently leads to chronic respiratory disease. Other infectious agents, such as Pasteurella and Streptococcus bacteria, can also cause pneumonia.

Why is my rat breathing heavily?

Also See: How to Look After a Rat as a Pet

Why is my rat whimpering?

It’s usually a sign of very modest dissent; the longer the sound, the more complaining they’re doing. Rats will sometimes make this noise for no apparent reason; they may appear submissive, joyful, or simply going about their daily routine while piping away.

Do rats giggle?

Rats produce high-frequency vocalisations that are supposed to be akin to human laughter when produced during human-simulated play or “tickling.” Human laughter is complicated, and when someone gets tickled, they may laugh even if the sensation is unpleasant.

Can rats choke?

Choking is not a regular occurrence in rats. True choking is unusual in rats because of the way their throats are designed, but it can happen rarely and may be a terrifying experience for both the rat owner and the rat.