Can my rat die from respiratory disease?
In most cases respiratory disease becomes chronic and requires repeated treatment with antibiotics and other medications over the rat’s lifetime. For rats that have a rapid onset of severe signs the death rate is high. Rats that milder signs of slower onset usually develop chronic breathing problems.
What causes respiratory disease in rats?
Respiratory disease in rats is caused primarily by infectious agents such as Mycoplasma pulmonis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Corynebacterium kutscheri, cilia associated respiratory (CAR) bacillus, Sendai virus and coronavirus.
What causes a respiratory infection in a pet rat?
Medical Corner – Respiratory Infections in Pet Rats. Mycoplasma pulmonis is a bacteria present in the nasal passages of rats. The only rats guaranteed to be free of the mycoplasma bacteria are labratory rats kept in a perfectly sterile environment. For this reason, mycoplasma pulmonis is the most common cause of respiratory infections in rats.
Is there a cure for respiratory disease in rats?
Just about every rat has this disease and there is no cure for it. Don’t let this get you down though because, even though most rats have respiratory disease, many don’t ever show symptoms and can still live long, and relatively healthy, lives. Even pet rats who show symptoms are most often easily managed.
How long does it take for a rat to recover from a respiratory infection?
Adding the medication to an equal amount of a treat food that you already know it loves, such as pudding, yogurt, or mashed potatoes. Go back to your vet if your rat doesn’t seem better after a week. After 7 days of antibiotics your rat should start to recover from its respiratory ailment.
What to do if your pet has an upper respiratory infection?
You can use a high-quality granulated garlic to your advantage when trying to treat an infection in your pet rat. It is the king of rat respiratory infection home remedies and has been used by many members of the rat owning community.
