File :-(, x, )
Jo
I have these too pet rats. One of them now has started coughing and sneezing alot. Or he was, it has kinda cleared up now. I still have a problem with his nose bleeding. I took him to the vet and they said there was nothing for them to do. I feel awfull about it. Ive been trying to make him comfy, cleaning him off and keeping him warm. I started giving him some vitamin C and its helping but is there anything else I can do?
>> Anonymous
Get a new fucking vet that actually knows something about rats. Baytril works wonders, particularly in combination with an antibiotic like SMZ-TMP.

Also, his nose is not bleeding. It is a substance called porphyrin, which is basically just a chemical that stains a rat's tears and nasal fluids red. It can be a sign of sickness or stress, but sometimes it just occurs if your rat, say, sleeps for a long time.
>> Anonymous
>>184656

Upon re-reading, I should clarify. The baytril-SMZ would be for respiratory symptoms. The porphyrin staining is probably just occurring because your rat is getting over illness (in which case, antibiotics might help a little). So your vet is partially right in that there's nothing you can directly do... However, I still stand by my claim that he really doesn't know anything about rats, and I think he just made a lucky guess in saying that there's not much to do about it. Since he didn't bother explaining to you why (or even that it's not blood) it seems like a combination of ignorance and a brush-off.
>> Anonymous
>I have these too pet rats
>these too pet rats
>too pet rats
>too pet
>too
>> Jo
>>184659
I believe it was more of a brush-off. He had told me off the bat that he didnt like rodents. So I am in the market for a new vet that I can take all my animals to.

Too= two in first post
>> Anonymous
>>184665

What a fucking douchebag. Yet another faggot in the veterinary industry just to make a quick buck. Do us all a favor and send the cock-sucker a roadkill woodchuck in the mail, okay?
>> Anonymous
I usually do the Baytril/Doxy combo with my rodentia. Agreeing with everyone else, sounds like URI, and when you do find a vet to give you meds, make sure you continue with them and finish the meds regardless of whether or not you hear the wheezing/sneezing.
>> Anonymous
I also just realized you said vitamin C, make sure its in supplement form and not from oranges especially if your rat is a male. Citrus has been shown to cause cancer in males.
>> Anonymous
My ran has been doing this all of it's life and it's now 2 years old. So I wouldn't worry too much.

I used to breed rats. I've seen the nose bleeding thing every now and then as well, not too much to worry about as far as I'm concerned.
>> Anonymous
I read once that rats have very sensitive respiratory systems, compared to other small animals.

What kind of bedding do you use? That might be it. Wood chips (particularly anything with cedar in), while they smell nice to us, often contain too much dust or something that irritate nasal passages.

I've never had a problem with pine bedding when I had rats, but I've heard that aspen is better. Not sure if that's true.
>> Anonymous
>>185774

It's not the dust, it's the aromatic oils (or phenols). They're basically just small protein rings that can get into a rat's respiratory tract and causes irritation and infection. It can actually kill a rat who is already susceptible to having upper respiratory infections, such as a rat who is infected with mycoplasmosis (which is probably about 95% of rats).

Cedar is TERRIBLE for rats. Pine is better, but it DOES have some phenols. Aspen is the best as far as wood shavings go.
>> Anonymous
>>185826

Explain to me for a moment how a a hydrocarbon ring, which is a lifeless construct of atoms, causes infection--which is caused by living things (typically bacteria) living inside your rat.

Bad for your rat? Sure thing. Cause infection? I don't think so Tim.
>> Anonymous
>>185845
Areas of irritation are moar susceptible to infection.
>> Anonymous
>>185845
For someone that seems to know chemistry, you're fucking retarded when it comes to biology.
>> Anonymous
>>185845

Christ, you are idiot.
>> Anonymous
>>185951

I was fishing for an answer, and I got it.

The real problem here is that you people don't seem to understand the definition of the word CAUSE.

The wood chip aeromatics don't cause an infection at all. The bacteria does that. They can, however, contribute to an enviornment that is more susceptible to infection. That is not the same thing as causing an infection.

The point is still valid, of course (don't use cedar chips). But I'm not the one that needs to go back to biology class.
>> Anonymous
Jesus Christ Anon's stop bickering over the stupid technicality for an ego e-stroke. The question going on here is about the rats care -
not how scientifically sound anon can back up it's claims on simple shit in relation to minor wording.

The main point is cedar and pine are bad for you're rats. Use Aspen if you demand a wood bedding or something else.

You can use cloth bits as well, like worn torn up old towels and throw them in the wash when you clean the cage even. Or, careFRESH and other paper reuse bedding sources work well too.

Either way, it sounds like OP's rat is getting better. Stay on that though OP and watch your rats breathing/weezing. Also for the love of god find a better vet, one that likes rodents to boot.

Also here's a good link to help with future rat questions - http://fatratcentral.com/problems/finding-a-rat-vet/
>> Anonymous
>>186027
cause
–noun
1. a person or thing that acts, happens, or exists in such a way that some specific thing happens as a result

CEDAR + RAT (WITH NATURALLY OCCURRING BACTERIA THAT ALL RATS CARRY) = UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTION

Wow! Looks like a CAUSE to me!
>> Anonymous
>>186045

By your definition the rat is just as much a cause as the cedar is. Sounds great!
>> Anonymous
>>186045

RETARD

Nobody ever conclusively proved anything about animal bedding, and anyone will tell you why any particular choice is the worst possible one.
>> Anonymous
Anyway, while you two hens are busy clucking, the rest of us will talk with the OP.

OP, there re a lot of things that could cause a sudden flare-up. Did you recently add something to their cage? Change their bedding (Carefresh is a great brand but often very dusty)? Clean their cage? Are they new rats that you just bought? Did you move them into a different room in the house?

Oh, and definitely get a new vet, the guy you're going to sounds like an ignorant ass.
>> Anonymous
>>186064
yes this has been proven.