Rats are prone to a variety of illnesses. It's best to have an exotic vet chosen as well as money set aside for vet bills. If you are concerned with your rat's health, please consult a veterinarian immediately.
Porphyrin -( Red discharge near the eyes and nose)Porphyrin looks a lot more serious than it actually is. It's often confused for blood due to its red coloring.A small amount of porphyrin is not cause for alarm, but excess amounts can indicate illness, stress, or poor diet.Hairless and double rex rats create porphyrin to clean their eyes from debris since they have little to no eyelashes.If you think your rat is creating an abnormal amount of porphyrin, schedule a vet visit in order to discover the cause.
URI (upper respiratory Infection) - Most common rat illness that can be fatal if left untreatedSigns: Sneezing, coughing, excess porphyrin, wheezing, lethargy, etc.Most rats will have an URI at least once during their lifetime due to their sensitive respiratory systems or because of the disease, Mycoplasma pulmonis. All rats are born with this disease so it's important to pay close attention to your rat's health, and to treat them as soon as symptoms show. URIs normally require a vet visit.
Mammary Tumor - Fast growing masses, most commonly in femalesMammary tumors form on the stomach, chest, groin, or armpit areas. They are fast growing and take the blood and nutrients from a rat, causing them to become skinny. Surgical removal is a great option for rats that aren't too old and are still in good health. This is a good way to extend the life of your rat, although more tumors can always grow.
Mites - 3 types of living parasites commonly affect rats: fur mites, ear mange mites, and blood sucking mitesSigns of mites include hair loss, scabs, crusty spots, itching, etc.Mites are invisible to the naked eye so you must pay attention to any changes in your rat's fur, ears, or tail. Reddish, brown spots on their ears is a sign of mites and if not treated, will continue to worsen until the ears are crusty and jagged. These mites burrow under the skin.You can treat mites and other parasites (fleas, lice, etc) with Revolution for kittens or cats. Otherwise, a vet visit is necessary. Treat all of your rats as mites are easily transmitted from rat to rat. Lice - Species specific lice suck the blood of your rats and may transmit internal parasites or diseases.Signs of lice include itching and hair loss.You can see lice and their eggs (nits) with your naked eye.Fleas - Any fleas (dog and cat) can transfer to your rats and may transmit internal parasites or diseasesSigns of fleas include itching and scabs. You can see fleas and their dropping (black spots).Treat external parasites; you may also use kitten or cat Revolution. A vet visit may be necessary for a prescription.
Bumblefoot - A bacterial infection on the foot that looks like a wound or inflamed bump. This painful infection must be treated immediately to avoid further infections that can lead to death.Bumblefoot is easy to recognize and it is found most commonly on one or both back feet. It appears as an abrasion or abscess that can include crusting, blood, or puss.Bumblefoot may be caused by wire flooring or rough bedding that creates scratches on our rat's feet (which is why all wire or mesh shelves should be covered with fleece). An unsanitary cage and wet or dirty bedding are common causes of this bacterial infection.I recommend scheduling a vet visit as it's often difficult to treat bumblefoot successfully. Your rat may need antibiotics, an antibiotic ointment, and their feet cleaned or soaked everyday until the infection is no longer present. Abscesses is an infection in the form of fast growing lumps that move along with the skin. Once it comes to a head, it may pop and leave a crater or hole.Abscesses are common and easily treated. However, abscesses located on the face or mouth can be more serious and require vet attention.When an abscess comes to a head, it will pop, oozing puss. Your rat will likely clean it out, but if not, you can clean it with a q-tip or damp washclothLet the abscess progress on its own. This may take a couple of weeks depending on its location on the body. The abscess will get a dark head before it is ready to open and drain. If you'd like to speed the process along, you can do daily treatments with a heated compress (hot washcloth). Once open, clean the puss out with a q-tip and keep the area clean until it has fully healed.
Respiratory infection Sneezing, coughing, wheezing, chirping, excess porphyrin, lethargy, etc. A respiratory infection is the most common illness a rat can get and if left untreated, it is deadly. Most rats will have a respiratory infection at least once during their lifetime due to their sensitive respiratory systems or because of the disease, Mycoplasma pulmonis. All rats (except for laboratory rats) are born with this disease so it's important to pay close attention to your rat's health, and to treat them as soon as symptoms show. If left untreated, the infection can scar their lungs and they will be more prone to more respiratory illnesses in the future. If your rat goes into respiratory distress (heaving and heavy breathing), take them to a vet immediately as it's stressful and your rat may die within hours if left untreated. Make an appointment with your vet for prescriptions and treatment.
HOSPITAL CAGE What is a hospital cage?A hospital cage is a temporary cage used to house sick or healing rats. Occasionally a hospital cage may become permanent in the event that you have an elderly or special needs rat. It is also great to have on hand as a quarantine cage for new rats. Recommended for hospital cages and permanent homes alike, cages should have 1/2" bar spacing or smaller. Most rats can squeeze through anything larger. Choose a cage with a large enough door that you can easily remove your rat through. Small doors will put unnecessary strain on your rat as you take them out. Avoid levels and shelves as they can cause rats to fall and consequently injure themselves. Stick to single level cages. If your rats love to climb the sides of their cage, you may opt for a tank or aquarium instead (ONLY USE TANKS FOR THIS REASON).