Our Furry Friends
Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)
URI's, also referred to as snuffles, asthma, and myco, are one of the most common ailments in rats. Although it can be cured with some medicine from the vet, many rats will die from it. Very young rats and very old rats are the most prone to this infection because of their extra sensitive respiratory systems. Rats under 3 months old will not show symptoms of a URI. If younger animals get a URI it is most likely not from mycoplasma but is more likely to be a virus such as Sendai or SDAV.
Some signs of a URI are porphyrin discharge from eyes and nose, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, clicking in the throat, and congested sounding breathing. URIs are commonly treated with Amoxicillin, or Amoxicillin along with Baytril. To help soothe respiratory distress, a very small amount of dark chocolate may be given to the infected rat.
Lots of things can cause a respiratory infection such as drafts, bedding, weather, dust, and allergy-causing fabric in the living space. To help prevent a URI, rats' cages should be kept away from windows. Also, never point a fan directly at the cage. Keep rats dry. If you give them a bath, dry them off immediately afterwards. Never use dusty beddings like some types Carefresh and never use Pine or Cedar. Also be sure the cage is cleaned at least once a week to prevent ammonia build-up.
Some signs of a URI are porphyrin discharge from eyes and nose, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, clicking in the throat, and congested sounding breathing. URIs are commonly treated with Amoxicillin, or Amoxicillin along with Baytril. To help soothe respiratory distress, a very small amount of dark chocolate may be given to the infected rat.
Lots of things can cause a respiratory infection such as drafts, bedding, weather, dust, and allergy-causing fabric in the living space. To help prevent a URI, rats' cages should be kept away from windows. Also, never point a fan directly at the cage. Keep rats dry. If you give them a bath, dry them off immediately afterwards. Never use dusty beddings like some types Carefresh and never use Pine or Cedar. Also be sure the cage is cleaned at least once a week to prevent ammonia build-up.
Tumors
Tumors are very common in female rats as they age. The two main types of tumors are malignant and benign.
Benign tumors are usually detached from surrounding tissue and therefor are easily removed by surgery. They can grow just as fast as malignant tumors, but they don't cause nearly as much damage and they don't metastasize. Benign tumors usually don't cause death directly, but their size, if not removed, may make everyday living difficult for rats and would lead to the rat needing to be euthanized. Benign tumors can either be removed or left alone. If left alone, rats still have a chance of living out their life completely fine.
In contrast, malignant tumors (cancer) usually damage surrounding tissue and metastasize. Failure of damaged organs causes by the tumor is what kills rats. Surgery is usually impossible when it comes to malignant tumors because they intertwine with normal tissue in the rat's body. Euthanasia is usually recommended once a rat is diagnosed with a malignant tumor. Fortunately for us and our rats, most tumors are benign.
To help prevent tumors, you should feed your rats a low-calorie and low-fat diet that is also low in amines and nitrates. Many studies link obesity and high-fat diets with tumors. Also, blueberries have been scientifically proven to help reduce the risk of cancer in rats. Two blueberries per rat everyday is what I'd recommend.
Benign tumors are usually detached from surrounding tissue and therefor are easily removed by surgery. They can grow just as fast as malignant tumors, but they don't cause nearly as much damage and they don't metastasize. Benign tumors usually don't cause death directly, but their size, if not removed, may make everyday living difficult for rats and would lead to the rat needing to be euthanized. Benign tumors can either be removed or left alone. If left alone, rats still have a chance of living out their life completely fine.
In contrast, malignant tumors (cancer) usually damage surrounding tissue and metastasize. Failure of damaged organs causes by the tumor is what kills rats. Surgery is usually impossible when it comes to malignant tumors because they intertwine with normal tissue in the rat's body. Euthanasia is usually recommended once a rat is diagnosed with a malignant tumor. Fortunately for us and our rats, most tumors are benign.
To help prevent tumors, you should feed your rats a low-calorie and low-fat diet that is also low in amines and nitrates. Many studies link obesity and high-fat diets with tumors. Also, blueberries have been scientifically proven to help reduce the risk of cancer in rats. Two blueberries per rat everyday is what I'd recommend.
Abscesses
Many abscesses are mistaken for tumors. An abscess is basically a collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue. Since bacteria are everywhere, the tiniest scrape or cut can lead to an abscess. This is why it is very important to keep wounds clean. It's even possible for humans to spread this harmful bacteria to our rats if we don't wash our hands because a certain bacteria, S. Aureus, is a normal resident on the skin of humans.
If an abscess is left untreated it can quickly get out of hand and become deadly. However, if the abscess is diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian at the first sign, the chances for recovery are excellent. NEVER try to squeeze an abscess on your own. Many times this can force the infection further into the body rather than out.
Preventing abscesses is as simple as keeping things clean. Remove fecal matter as often as possible. Remove soiled food as soon as you notice it. Disinfect the cage at least once a week with a bleach/water or vinegar/water solution. You should also sanitize and disinfect the water bottle every 2-3 days.
If an abscess is left untreated it can quickly get out of hand and become deadly. However, if the abscess is diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian at the first sign, the chances for recovery are excellent. NEVER try to squeeze an abscess on your own. Many times this can force the infection further into the body rather than out.
Preventing abscesses is as simple as keeping things clean. Remove fecal matter as often as possible. Remove soiled food as soon as you notice it. Disinfect the cage at least once a week with a bleach/water or vinegar/water solution. You should also sanitize and disinfect the water bottle every 2-3 days.
Hind-leg Paralysis
Male rats are most prone to complete paralysis. However, all rats will experience some sort of degeneration as they age. The first sign of spinal degeneration in aging rats is a drooping tail. Young, healthy rats will hold their tail off the ground as they walk. Rats experiencing spinal degeneration will begin to shuffle their back feet rather than walk. Young rats walk on the front tip of their back feet, and older rats will begin to walk flat-footed. Rats will not be as active as they are experiencing degeneration. Because of this, you may begin to notice a bonier look to their hindquarters after a while. Rats may also lose sensation in their hindquarters and consequently sit in their own urine without knowing. If and when this problem arrises, rats should be bathed regularly with a very mild small animal shampoo. In the final stages of paralysis, rats will lose mobility of their hind legs completely. They will use only their front legs and drag the back.
Fortunately, this condition is not painful to the rats. The gradual onset of spinal degeneration allows rats to make changes in their life to accomodate their condition. Although rats will stay surprisingly mobile, they will still need your help to make the rest of their lives as comfortable as possible.
Fortunately, this condition is not painful to the rats. The gradual onset of spinal degeneration allows rats to make changes in their life to accomodate their condition. Although rats will stay surprisingly mobile, they will still need your help to make the rest of their lives as comfortable as possible.
Bumblefoot
Bumblefoot in many cases is assumed to be caused by wire flooring and shelves in rat cages. Although a wire base is never good, wire shelves are not much of an irritant. Bumblefoot is not directly caused by the wire, but rather by bacteria which gets into the rat's sytem through sores made by prolonged exposure to wire flooring. Keeping a cage clean and comfortable is the simplest and best way to prevent bumblefoot.
Although bumblefoot is easily prevented, it is not uncommon. In the early stages of bumblefoot, it can be treated with Blu-Kote which contains an antibiotic and a drying agent. If this doesn't work, the only real option left is surgery. However this is usually unsuccessful and many times leads to amputation.
Rats usually don't seem to be in any pain from bumblefoot. Because of this, when Blu-Kote does not work, the condition is usually just left alone. Soft bedding such as Carefresh or fleece fabric should be provided in the cage of the infected rat. The cage should be kept exceptionally clean and you may even want to clean and disinfect the rat's feet daily. The affected are may bleed a lot from time to time, but the best you can do is keep everything clean.
Although bumblefoot is easily prevented, it is not uncommon. In the early stages of bumblefoot, it can be treated with Blu-Kote which contains an antibiotic and a drying agent. If this doesn't work, the only real option left is surgery. However this is usually unsuccessful and many times leads to amputation.
Rats usually don't seem to be in any pain from bumblefoot. Because of this, when Blu-Kote does not work, the condition is usually just left alone. Soft bedding such as Carefresh or fleece fabric should be provided in the cage of the infected rat. The cage should be kept exceptionally clean and you may even want to clean and disinfect the rat's feet daily. The affected are may bleed a lot from time to time, but the best you can do is keep everything clean.
Inner Ear Infection
If your rat appears to be tilting its head, losing balance, and circling around in its cage, it's very probable that it has an inner ear infection. Fortunately for our rats, these are very treatable and there is a very high chance of recovery.
If you suspect your rat has an ear infection, a vet visit is necessary. Once the vet determines that your rat indeed has an inner ear infection, they will prescribe one or more medications. Ear wash, topical medications, and oral medications are all commonly used in treating ear infections. If the vet does not prescribe a wash, you can make your own by added a teaspoon of salt to a pint of warm water.
Be sure to check for the symptoms to clear up. If they do not, another trip to the vet is needed. The rat may need a different medication. The infection could be fungal instead of bacterial, in which case antibiotics will not help. If your rat's head tilt remains after the infection is cleared up, do not be alarm. Some rats have been known to keep the head tilt for the rest of their lives. This will not bother them.
If you suspect your rat has an ear infection, a vet visit is necessary. Once the vet determines that your rat indeed has an inner ear infection, they will prescribe one or more medications. Ear wash, topical medications, and oral medications are all commonly used in treating ear infections. If the vet does not prescribe a wash, you can make your own by added a teaspoon of salt to a pint of warm water.
Be sure to check for the symptoms to clear up. If they do not, another trip to the vet is needed. The rat may need a different medication. The infection could be fungal instead of bacterial, in which case antibiotics will not help. If your rat's head tilt remains after the infection is cleared up, do not be alarm. Some rats have been known to keep the head tilt for the rest of their lives. This will not bother them.
Malocclusion
Malocclusion is the malposition of the teeth that prevents the allignment of the teeth or jaw. The most obvious sign of malocclusion is is overgrowth or uneaven teeth. Rats with malocclusion may salivate, lose weight, have trouble eating hard foods, bad breath, and have sores on or near the mouth.
In rats with malocclusion, the teeth are not alligned properly and natural grinding cannot take place. If the incisors are not kept trimmed, this can lead to trauma to the soft palate, infection, and abscesses, which in turn will result in the rat starving. Teeth that are misalligned should be trimmed an average of every 2 weeks to 2 months. In cases of oral abscesses, it is wise to institute a soft-food diet during the healing process.
In rats with malocclusion, the teeth are not alligned properly and natural grinding cannot take place. If the incisors are not kept trimmed, this can lead to trauma to the soft palate, infection, and abscesses, which in turn will result in the rat starving. Teeth that are misalligned should be trimmed an average of every 2 weeks to 2 months. In cases of oral abscesses, it is wise to institute a soft-food diet during the healing process.
