Reptile & Amphibian Forums

One of my rats has me confused. Jack will be sitting in his cage, no problems at all, and then all of a sudden he'll sound like he's gotten a sinus infection (really congested), but after a big sneeze a few seconds later, he's fine again. He only does this a few times a day. His breathing is normal except for these little episodes. I have not once heard him do this when I have him out for play time. Nothing has changed in the bedding or cleaning routine. Can rats develop allergies as they get older or is this something I should start worrying about? His brother, Ziggy,who had both lungs collapse two months ago, is still doing okay. I have still not found any mention anywhere of this happening in a rat. Anyway, let me know if you think Jack's problem warrents another trip to the vet or if he just needs Benadryl. Thanks.

What kind of bedding do you use? Does the rat have red discharge around it's nose and on it's thumbs?

You mentioned that one of your rats suffered from collasped lungs and now this rat is stuffy and sneezing, I'm wondering if there isn't a link between the 2 problems.
I have no doubts that rats, or any animal for that matter, can develop allergies at any age.
Could it be something that you started using before the first rat started having problems? The only way you could figure out what it is, is to start with a bare enclosure... newspaper, instead of anything that could harbor dust, water and their basic diet, no treats. Watch how they are doing, if everythings good slowly add the things back in their enclosure one at a time, over a few months you should be able to discover if they have an allergy and what they are allergic to.
I realize this is a very slow and time consuming method, but it has worked for me with different species of animals.
Robin
Harm None.

I haven't changed a thing since I got them from Petco a year ago. I use Carefresh bedding. Their food, treats, veggies, and wooden chew toys are all the same. Jack has no porphyrin around his nose. That's one of the first things I checked for. He just sounds like he has a cold a few times a day. Ziggy's lung problem seems to be more of a genetic defect, and since he's from a pet store I'm not really surprised. He's always had problems. Thanks for the replies.

Can you feel any lumps in his throat?

>>You mentioned that one of your rats suffered from collasped lungs and now this rat is stuffy and sneezing, I'm wondering if there isn't a link between the 2 problems.

That was my first thought too.
The first symptom of a Mycoplasma flare up is sneezing.
But on the other hand yes they can develop allergies.
What's around in your home? Do you have scented candles, use air fresheners or anything else that has an odor? Any odor can cause allergy problems.. I know that first hand from my own allergy problems.
Because of the other rat having the collapsed lung, if it were me I'd go ahead & set an appt. to see the vet.
There is never anything wrong with having a wellness check up.
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PHRatz

Sneezing fits can be the beginnings of an URI (upper respiratory infection), dust could do it(I find Carefresh highly dusty..blowing that stuff out of my nostrils for a good hour after I clean a cage when I used that stuff, and I mixed it with aspen shavings too). Even though you have been using CareFresh for awhile, the latest batch you have may be more dustier than usual.

A vet inspection would be a good idea. Labored breathing on a rat may not be very noticeable, especially if they are not doing anything strenuous. I have a problem with Bronchitis lately and I breath normally most of the time..but in the morning when I get up and occasionally through the day, I will clear my throat to clean that ick out. Though not the same as sneezing..I don't think rats can 'cough or hack' as easier as we can. The point is, unless I decide to do long fast walks in high humidity, most people won't even know I have bronchitis.
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PHLdyPayne