Expert: Sandra Todd - 7/1/2009

Question
Hi,
A little over three months ago I lost a rat to a tumor that affected his
breathing. He had begun to breathe heavily and was hanging his head over
the side of his cage all the time. Now, one of his remaining cagemates (just
turned a year old) has began to hang his head over the edge of his cage not
all the time but frequently enough that it has caught my attention. To me he
appears healthy. His breathing seems normal, it doesn't seem labored
compared to my other rat in the cage.  I don't know if I am overreacting due
to my paranoia after the death of the other one or if this really is the start of
a respiratory infection. So my question is, should I bring him into the vet and
start him on antibiotics, or just keep a close eye on him for further signs of
respiratory distress? Thanks!

Answer

My website has alot of info on mycoplasmosis that causes respiratory infection and also about heart disease that also resembles lung disease, since the rat may hang his head over the shelves too.


URL to my website:

http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/mycoplasmosispage.htm

However, catching infection in time is KEY to recovery. I say go with your gut and get him to the vets.  The proper way to treat this is to give him baytril and doxycyline for at least a full 30 days to prevent relapse. Should he relapse, he should be put on baytril for the rest of his life.  You will find that many vets will say NO WAY to this treatment and it is mainly because they dont understand the mechanics of respiratory disease in rats.
I have been taught not to ignore ANY signs of illness and your rat is displaying at least one sign of illness. Dont ignore it and wait for something else to happen because he may end up getting worse overnight to the point he is really sick.  I would take him in.

My question to you is: Do you have a good vet? If not, please let me know where your located and I will give you some names of good vets. No obligation of course.