Post by Mil on Oct 30, 2011 12:02:21 GMT -5
Transferred from the TRRQ Discussion Board formerly on Facebook:
RachAel Jennings
Hi all,
I've had my lovely, little bucks rats for nearly 7 months now and they are gorgeous! My hairless, Stotch, got a chest infection about 3 weeks ago and we put him on a course of antibiotics. He is well again but still sneezes. I took him back to the vets and the vet said he was fine but gave more meds to rule anything out. Both rats sneeze when they are sniffing around and I do everything I can to eliminate dust and make sure they are warm.
Are sneezes OK and is it just repetitive sneezing we should worry about? Many thanks.
about 9 months ago
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The Rodent Reader Quarterly
Since they're relatively young, have completed an extensive course of antibiotics and have been declared healthy by the vet, the (occasional) sneezing is probably not the result of a serious infection. You might want to observe their breathing closely when they're not sniffing and are just engaging in normal activities or at rest. It should be smooth, even and not labored in any way. We've often noticed slightly elevated, rapid breathing as a first symptom of a problem -- even before hearing any sounds out of the ordinary (wheezing, sneezing, etc.).
Did you ask your vet about the possibility of allergies? I know you said you try to elminate dust, but perhaps there's some product (bedding brand, toys -- even a food item) that's causing the sneezes. Just something to consider.
These are merely the observations of one rat owner, however. There may be others here with more to share on this topic, and if so, I'll hope they'll add info about their own knowledge and experiences.
Thanks for raising this very relevant subject -- and being a part of The Rodent Reader community.
about 8 months ago
-------------
RachAel Jennings
I think you're right here. The rats seem to sneeze when they sniff about and most probably get food particles up their noses or something.
I feed them a rat mix from Wilkos and use shredded safe bedding along with Carefresh. I stopped giving them peanuts (even though they love them!) as I was worried they were causing a reaction. My hairless scratches himself a lot more than the furry rat, but I would imagine he's more sensitive having exposed skin.
about 8 months ago
-----------
Carol Weekes
Rats histamine levels can rise when they are excited (playing, etc.) and cause temporary sneezes. Weather changes can bring this on too. Sometimes tiny bits of dust, hair, etc. that we can't see can get stuck on a nose. Allergies are possible (my vet recommended a tiny dose of Benadryl to rule out allergies; if it's allergies, it usually works - amount depends upon weight of rat).
One of my rats has always been a sneezy girl. She has bouts of sneezing. She does have some light myco which can be aggravated by weather changes, and she's on long-term doxycycline to maintain her (she's two years old).
Sometimes, a 2nd course of antibiotics is needed; they should usually be on it for a month to six weeks.
Observe them and see how it goes. Some rats are just sneezier than others. I once had a rattie, Snickers, who got his name because he sneezed constantly from the time I got him, when he was eight weeks old. He sneezed regularly, daily, until he passed over at the ripe old age of 36 months.
Best of luck.
about 8 months ago
-----------
RachAel Jennings
Hi Carol,
This is all brilliant - thank you so much!!! It has really put my mind at ease. I think my boys are little sneezers, to be honest. It happens most when they eat and sniff at the little crumbs they have created.
I didn't know about the histamine levels - how interesting. I could give them a bit of Benadryl for a week or so and see if the sneezing calms down. Would you suggest the same amount they were given for their antibiotics? I used a little syringe for that and popped it int heir food...
As for the antibiotics: Stotch, the hairless who had the infection, was on them for a week and then had another week's worth after a short break. I hope this is OK.
I have no idea if the rats have myco or not... I've looked it up. They brux a fair bit and make all sorts of little noises, but I've never experienced much distress on their part. Sometimes, when they're eating, the may brux a little louder and open their mouths into a 'yawn' position, but after talking with a vet on the phone, I was assured this was probably food that scratched on the way down...
Rach
about 8 months ago
---------------
Carol Weekes
I can't suggest amount, as I'm not a vet and don't know the size of your rat. Antibiotic doses among themselves can vary too.
My rat is 500 grams and she was given the baby benadryl, 0.1 to 0.2 ml in a doze (1/10 of a one-ml syringe). Do not give adult benadryl; it must be for infants.
Best to ask your vet first, to be certain of dosage.
Glad you feel better. They CAN be sneezy little critters, some more so than others. It's because we love them so much that we feel alarm over any sneezes, myself included.
about 8 months ago
------------
RachAel Jennings
That's fair enough. I'll give the vets a call. I would say 0.1 ml is about sufficient.
Yeah, I simply adore them! Rats are amazing pets.
I've popped another discussion topic up about spaying - would be very keen to hear your thoughts when you have time.
Rach
about 8 months ago
--------------
Carol Weekes
Hi Rachel:
Spaying is such a controversial issue. I'd had a few of my female rats spayed when they were about 18 months old and had popped a tumor, because the vet had said that sometimes, it can reduce estrogen amounts. Others have said that if you're going to have it done, to do it while the rat is young (like five or six months old) before estrogen levels can accrue in the body, and that spaying can reduce incidence of pituitary tumor also. Some people swear they have longer-lived rats by spaying them. You kind of have to investigate different resources, then make the most informed opinion for yourself. But if you're going to have it done, I'd say do it early before there are any respiratory problems and while the rat is young/robust enough to pull through such an invasive surgery much more better than an older, weaker animal.
Yet, there's also the other argument that it is such an invasive procedure, and that because any surgery always carries the risk of a rat not pulling through, that it's best to just 'leave well enough alone'.
At this point, and this is only my opinion, I only opt for surgery for the following reasons:
If a rat is healthy enough to sustain the anesthetic gas, and if a tumor(s) is growing rapidly and starting to affect a rat's health.
Or, if not having a surgery would threaten their life and health more than having it.
It's like neutering; the only time I've had males neutered was if other males would not accept them and it was either they live alone, or live with females - my females always accepted a neutered male. One time, I had to have one of my boys neutered because a fight with another had resulted in an opened testicle which had to be removed.
Otherwise, I just leave things alone. After ten years and 50 rats, I opt to just let them live their lives as comfortably as possible and treat things if/when they come up. But again, that's just me.
about 8 months ago
RachAel Jennings
Hi all,
I've had my lovely, little bucks rats for nearly 7 months now and they are gorgeous! My hairless, Stotch, got a chest infection about 3 weeks ago and we put him on a course of antibiotics. He is well again but still sneezes. I took him back to the vets and the vet said he was fine but gave more meds to rule anything out. Both rats sneeze when they are sniffing around and I do everything I can to eliminate dust and make sure they are warm.
Are sneezes OK and is it just repetitive sneezing we should worry about? Many thanks.
about 9 months ago
-----------
The Rodent Reader Quarterly
Since they're relatively young, have completed an extensive course of antibiotics and have been declared healthy by the vet, the (occasional) sneezing is probably not the result of a serious infection. You might want to observe their breathing closely when they're not sniffing and are just engaging in normal activities or at rest. It should be smooth, even and not labored in any way. We've often noticed slightly elevated, rapid breathing as a first symptom of a problem -- even before hearing any sounds out of the ordinary (wheezing, sneezing, etc.).
Did you ask your vet about the possibility of allergies? I know you said you try to elminate dust, but perhaps there's some product (bedding brand, toys -- even a food item) that's causing the sneezes. Just something to consider.
These are merely the observations of one rat owner, however. There may be others here with more to share on this topic, and if so, I'll hope they'll add info about their own knowledge and experiences.
Thanks for raising this very relevant subject -- and being a part of The Rodent Reader community.
about 8 months ago
-------------
RachAel Jennings
I think you're right here. The rats seem to sneeze when they sniff about and most probably get food particles up their noses or something.
I feed them a rat mix from Wilkos and use shredded safe bedding along with Carefresh. I stopped giving them peanuts (even though they love them!) as I was worried they were causing a reaction. My hairless scratches himself a lot more than the furry rat, but I would imagine he's more sensitive having exposed skin.
about 8 months ago
-----------
Carol Weekes
Rats histamine levels can rise when they are excited (playing, etc.) and cause temporary sneezes. Weather changes can bring this on too. Sometimes tiny bits of dust, hair, etc. that we can't see can get stuck on a nose. Allergies are possible (my vet recommended a tiny dose of Benadryl to rule out allergies; if it's allergies, it usually works - amount depends upon weight of rat).
One of my rats has always been a sneezy girl. She has bouts of sneezing. She does have some light myco which can be aggravated by weather changes, and she's on long-term doxycycline to maintain her (she's two years old).
Sometimes, a 2nd course of antibiotics is needed; they should usually be on it for a month to six weeks.
Observe them and see how it goes. Some rats are just sneezier than others. I once had a rattie, Snickers, who got his name because he sneezed constantly from the time I got him, when he was eight weeks old. He sneezed regularly, daily, until he passed over at the ripe old age of 36 months.
Best of luck.
about 8 months ago
-----------
RachAel Jennings
Hi Carol,
This is all brilliant - thank you so much!!! It has really put my mind at ease. I think my boys are little sneezers, to be honest. It happens most when they eat and sniff at the little crumbs they have created.
I didn't know about the histamine levels - how interesting. I could give them a bit of Benadryl for a week or so and see if the sneezing calms down. Would you suggest the same amount they were given for their antibiotics? I used a little syringe for that and popped it int heir food...
As for the antibiotics: Stotch, the hairless who had the infection, was on them for a week and then had another week's worth after a short break. I hope this is OK.
I have no idea if the rats have myco or not... I've looked it up. They brux a fair bit and make all sorts of little noises, but I've never experienced much distress on their part. Sometimes, when they're eating, the may brux a little louder and open their mouths into a 'yawn' position, but after talking with a vet on the phone, I was assured this was probably food that scratched on the way down...
Rach
about 8 months ago
---------------
Carol Weekes
I can't suggest amount, as I'm not a vet and don't know the size of your rat. Antibiotic doses among themselves can vary too.
My rat is 500 grams and she was given the baby benadryl, 0.1 to 0.2 ml in a doze (1/10 of a one-ml syringe). Do not give adult benadryl; it must be for infants.
Best to ask your vet first, to be certain of dosage.
Glad you feel better. They CAN be sneezy little critters, some more so than others. It's because we love them so much that we feel alarm over any sneezes, myself included.
about 8 months ago
------------
RachAel Jennings
That's fair enough. I'll give the vets a call. I would say 0.1 ml is about sufficient.
Yeah, I simply adore them! Rats are amazing pets.
I've popped another discussion topic up about spaying - would be very keen to hear your thoughts when you have time.
Rach
about 8 months ago
--------------
Carol Weekes
Hi Rachel:
Spaying is such a controversial issue. I'd had a few of my female rats spayed when they were about 18 months old and had popped a tumor, because the vet had said that sometimes, it can reduce estrogen amounts. Others have said that if you're going to have it done, to do it while the rat is young (like five or six months old) before estrogen levels can accrue in the body, and that spaying can reduce incidence of pituitary tumor also. Some people swear they have longer-lived rats by spaying them. You kind of have to investigate different resources, then make the most informed opinion for yourself. But if you're going to have it done, I'd say do it early before there are any respiratory problems and while the rat is young/robust enough to pull through such an invasive surgery much more better than an older, weaker animal.
Yet, there's also the other argument that it is such an invasive procedure, and that because any surgery always carries the risk of a rat not pulling through, that it's best to just 'leave well enough alone'.
At this point, and this is only my opinion, I only opt for surgery for the following reasons:
If a rat is healthy enough to sustain the anesthetic gas, and if a tumor(s) is growing rapidly and starting to affect a rat's health.
Or, if not having a surgery would threaten their life and health more than having it.
It's like neutering; the only time I've had males neutered was if other males would not accept them and it was either they live alone, or live with females - my females always accepted a neutered male. One time, I had to have one of my boys neutered because a fight with another had resulted in an opened testicle which had to be removed.
Otherwise, I just leave things alone. After ten years and 50 rats, I opt to just let them live their lives as comfortably as possible and treat things if/when they come up. But again, that's just me.
about 8 months ago