Respiratory Infection

[Broadwaters Rattery]

URI Quick Reference Guide

Upper respiratory infections (URI) are a common issue in rats due to their sensitive respiratory system. URIs can be viral or bacterial.

Below are some key things to look out for if you believe your rat is suffering from a URI or is showing signs of a respiratory issues should be seen by a vet.

On a side note if there have been any changes in their environment recently this can cause a mini flare up with the same symptoms though unlike a URI it hopefully should calm down and dissapare within a few days and importantly shouldn't get worse.

●Initial Signs:

Frequent sneezing, red coloured tears and or nasal discharge (porphyrin), excessive red crust around the eyes and nose (porphyrin), decreased appetite, lethargy, behavioural changes, puffy/hunched posture.

●Advanced Signs

The below will be in conjunction with initial
signs.

Dramatic weight loss, coughing, wheezing, crackling, or cooing sounds when breathing (pigeon noises/boiling water sound)and open mouth breathing.

● Treatment for URI

There are no effective home remedies or over-the-counter treatments for URIs in rats, so you will need to book a visit to yourrat savvy vet, they will likely prescribe antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and
sometimes steroids (not that Baytril on it's own is not effective in treating URI and would need to be in conjunction with Doxycycline ETC). You can make giving the medication easier by mixing it with something sweet to encourage the rat to take it.

Some rats can have Chronic URI due to permanent damage to a rat's lungs and airways, leaving scars or lesions that make a rat more susceptible to re-infection so would need intermittent medication for the rest of their lives intermittently when they have flare ups.

Vets may also suggest using a nebuliser for some chronic URI (some rats do not take well to this and it can make them worse)

Hope This Helps

❤ Marmalised Rats ❤