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Original poster

ill pet rat

27 replies

elmatador · 14/03/2023 20:58

i believe one of my rats has respitory problems shes grouchy with other rats wont let me pick her up and doesnt have same appetite i havent got money for vet and im wondering what to do shes being like this three days at first i thought she was in a bad mood or her and other rats werent getting along but ive looked things up and believe it could be respitory issues what can i do

OP posts:
Crayfishforyou · 14/03/2023 21:03

There’s not much you can do without a vet, you can make sure the rat is warm and dry. Don’t use sawdust, only paper bedding and/or fleece. You can try using some steam. Rats all pretty much have mycoplasma. You will need a vet to prescribe baytril, your rat will need an antibiotic.

SilentHedges · 14/03/2023 21:06

Rats are prone to respiratory problems. Your rat must go to a vet. That's part of pet ownership. As PP says your rat will need Baytril. There is a Mumsnet small pets section, if you post there you may get better advice.

Original poster
elmatador · 14/03/2023 21:07

ok do i have to take rat to vet as she wont let me pick her up

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Wynandham · 14/03/2023 21:07

A small piece of dark chocolate can help temporarily.

But he will need antibiotics. Rats get these issues very often.

Original poster
elmatador · 14/03/2023 21:08

do vets need payment up front

OP posts:
Wynandham · 14/03/2023 21:08

What substrate do you have them on? Is he sneezing or wheezing?

Crayfishforyou · 14/03/2023 21:09

If rats are very poorly they can get very angry, and bitey. Try to catch her up in a tea towel or gardening gloves.
If she’s side sucking, if she suddenly looks very skinny, then she’s really struggling to breathe

Wynandham · 14/03/2023 21:09

elmatador · 14/03/2023 21:08

do vets need payment up front

They do, do you have zilch? You can split payments into 3, interest free.

Original poster
elmatador · 14/03/2023 21:11

its a female rat at first she started having an attitude with other rats which was unusual shes usually placid i thought maybe she was having a bad day or they werent getting on so ive kept an eye on her for the last couple of days and not always but ive noticed a couple of times for a couple of minutes she breathes faster now she wont let me pick her up as if it hurts her

OP posts:
Original poster
elmatador · 14/03/2023 21:11

i have about £50 till end of month ill phone vets tomorow see what they say about payment

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Wynandham · 14/03/2023 21:15

She's def not pregnant?

RatSlave · 14/03/2023 21:18

Is she sucking her sides in at all? Making any sort of bird like noises? Open mouth breathing? Don't get her around steam it can make things worse. Is she still eating and drinking?

PDSA will see rats.

Original poster
elmatador · 14/03/2023 21:21

shes not pregnant only females in cage ok ill phone pdsa tomorow i never thought of them she doesnt seem to have same apetite no bird like noises or open mouth breathing

OP posts:
Original poster
elmatador · 14/03/2023 21:23

and i havent seen her suck in her sides

OP posts:
onepieceoflollipop · 14/03/2023 21:26

Hope this screenshot PDSA is useful
You might be able to find out tonight if you fit their criteria. Also they have help online.
hope she is feeling better soon. I know it’s hard but part of pet ownership can be vet fees and/or insurance and it is very very pricey 😞

ill pet rat
RatSlave · 14/03/2023 21:29

I wouldn't put money on respitory then but it does sound like she's in pain for some reason and needs a check over. She might just need some painkillers for a few days.

holierthanthou73 · 14/03/2023 21:30

Try and pick her up and comfort her. Are you able to separate from the others? How many do you have out of interest?

RatSlave · 14/03/2023 21:32

Actually if you have any Calpol she can have 1ml of that to treat pain or 0.2ml of childrens ibuprofen to see if she improves on pain relief.

onepieceoflollipop · 14/03/2023 21:32

(Sorry I meant to add I don’t have rats so I couldn’t offer more specific advice but sounds like some other posters are more experienced. but I know what it is like to worry about a pet animal and trying to work out what they might be feeling)

NastyNiff · 14/03/2023 21:39

I used to give mine echinacea when they were wheezy and it helped.

Fifipop185 · 14/03/2023 21:47

Came here to say the same at @RatSlave. It's what our vet advised us to do with one of our boys when he was poorly in old age.

Another time, the vet put him in a nebuliser chamber for about 10 minutes and it cost us £15, it sorted his breathing problem out.

It's always worth calling your vet first to say your pet needs treatment but cost is an issue, they may be able to help with split the bill over time.

Hope your rat gets better soon. They're such lovely little rascals.

NastyNiff · 14/03/2023 21:47

NastyNiff · 14/03/2023 21:39

I used to give mine echinacea when they were wheezy and it helped.

I diluted it with sugar water

Original poster
elmatador · 14/03/2023 22:13

i have 4 pet rats ill phone vet first thing in morning if shes still the same

OP posts:
LadyJ2023 · 14/03/2023 22:59

Love love my pet rats, but even tho it's hard nothing stops me taking mine to vets if its needed. Pdsa is great if your on benefits. Please get her booked in bless her

onepieceoflollipop · 15/03/2023 16:53

How is the little ratty today @elmatador
hope she’s a bit better?