Respiratory Infections in Rats

Hello everyone todays video is going to be about Mycoplasma, upper respiratory infections, and lower respiratory infections in your pet rats
All rats are born with Mycoplasma. It is passed on from mother to offspring through the birthing process. Myco can result in Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) which effects the sinuses, nasal passaged, pharynx and larynx (shown in pink). It can also cause Lower Respiratory Infection which effects the airways and lungs including the bronchus and bronchiole (shown in green. Respiratory infections are the number one killer in rats believe it or not. As a rat owner, you need to understand that Mycoplasma (Myco) will not hurt a HEALTHY rat, and in fact, may never rear its ugly head if a rat remains healthy throughout its life. It is only when Myco flares up and manifests itself as a respiratory infection that it will hurt, and even kill your rats.

Prevention (of ‘flare ups’)
Avoid stress: a rat will almost immediately begin showing symptoms if stressed. This can include exposure to pain, crowded living conditions, unsuitable living companions, and hidden illnesses. On rare occasions, some rats will be especially sensitive to loud noises, the presence of a dog or a cat, or other particular “triggers”.
Avoid PINE or CEDAR or other soft wood bedding. It’s as simple as that. The phenols released by soft wood combined with ammonia present in rats’ urine create a toxic fume that will directly trigger flare ups.

Symptoms: red discharge around the eyes and nose, puffy/fluffy fur, squinted eyes, hunched spine when sitting or standing still, fast or shallow breathing, any kind of snorting, squawking, wheezing, sneezing or whistling sound. Any wheezing or crackling sounds in the chest when you hold your rat’s belly against your ear. Lethargy, loss of appetite and any sudden change in behaviour can all be signs of URI or Lower Respiratory Infection caused by a flare up. If left untreated, the flare up will progress to URI, Lower Respiratory Infection, Pneumonia , Chronic Respiratory Disease and death.

Treatment: CONSULT YOUR EXOTICS VET.
In milder cases, Dark chocolate can be a temporary testament until you can get to a vet), oral antibiotics are almost always effective. As the condition is allowed to progress, other methods of treatment, such as use of Steroids may be neededFor a quick at home treatment I suggest antibiotics. I use amoxicillin My dosage per rat is 7.5 cc’s of whatever flavour- I use plain yogurt because antibiotics destroys gut flora and yogurt helps restore it. Then I use 250mg of amoxi capsules and mix it up really well because it doesn’t dissolve and I only give 0.3cc of the mixture every 12 hours for two weeks. You can check out my old video on antibiotics for rats right here:
I will be updating that video in the near future.

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