Health Concerns
This page briefly covers some of the basic problems your rats might have. I am simply not qualified to go into any detail on these subjects but felt it necessary to at least touch on them. If you have any doubt as to whether or not your rat is ill, check with the vet to be sure.
Tumors
Tumors usually show up in older rats and can be found in males and females, although they are more common in females. The most common are mammary tumors like the one the 20-month-old doe in the picture has. Her tumor was first noticeable five months before this photo was taken. Tumors can be surgically removed by your veterinarian. This can be a major surgery for your pet depending on where the tumor is and how large it is. Sometimes more tumors will appear after one is removed, so when deciding whether or not to operate, this must be considered. You must also consider your pet's age and quality of life. You will want to consult with your veterinarian to determine what treatment, if any, is appropriate for your individual situation. For more information, see Tumors in Rats, from RMCA.
Respiratory Illnesses
Among the fairly common health problems found in pet rats are respiratory illnesses. If you notice any of these symptoms in your pets, you should call the vet and then do some research yourself:
- Sneezing
- Rattling sound when breathing
- Red staining (porphyrin) around nose or eyes
- Swelling (appearance) of eyeball or around eye
- Cloudy eye(s)
- Swelling in neck area
- Puffy face
- Weight loss
- Lethargy
Any of these can be symptoms of mycoplasma, SDA or Sendai, and these illnesses can be fatal to your pets. For more information, start with:
Ulcerative Pododermatitis (Bumblefoot)
If your pet rat develops sores on his feet, he might have bumblefoot. It is believed by some that bumblefoot is caused by rats walking on the bare wire bottom of their cage, although there are other causes. Treatment can include oral medication or surgery.
Teeth
Rats are rodents so their teeth grow constantly (see Rattus Biologicus: A Gnawing Issue - Rat Teeth, from RMCA). They keep them worn down by eating and by chewing on things. Rats do not normally need to have their teeth trimmed if they are healthy, getting the proper diet and toys for chewing. If your rat's teeth do get too long, he will not be able to eat and will lose weight. If you do find that your rat's teeth need trimming, your vet can do it for you or show you how.
Parasites
If you find that your rat is scratching alot, she may be allergic to something or she may have parasites. When rats get lice, you will see the same signs as you would see in humans-itching and tiny white "droplets" on individual hairs. Mites are harder to see. Your vet can determine if your rat has parasites and can treat her. There are many kinds of treatments including powders, creams, injections or oral meds. I find that ivermectin given orally is effective and causes little discomfort for my rats. For more on parasites, see Medical Corner: What's Bugging Your Rats and Mice?, from RMCA.
Megacolon
Megacolon is most often seen in very young rats with blazes or other white spotting on their bodies. If you find that your rat pup is very bloated and not having bowel movements, see Megacecum and Megacolon: Development Disorders in the Enteric Nervous System in Rats, from AFRMA for information on megacolon as a possible cause. If you find that your pup does have it, like any other illness, it is important that you contact the breeder to let him or her know about it.
Quarantine New Rats
It is very important to quarantine (see Quarantine from RSA) new rats if you already have rodents in your home. Quarantine takes place in a separate building away from other rodents for at least three weeks. Keep in mind that some viruses can be air-borne and can live on clothing, so you will need to change clothes and clean up between the two groups. During the quarantine, watch for any signs of illness especially signs of SDA or other viral infections or signs of parasites. If any are found, contact the vet for treatment and advice on how long the new rats will need to wait before coming into your home.
Clean yourself and change clothes after handling other rats at the store or in other people's homes. You may not know if the other rodent you had contact with was sick and should take precautions to be sure you don't bring anything home to your pets.
Other Considerations
If your rat's symptoms do not fit in any of these categories, check to see if he's been injured or if something is different in his environment. Sometimes changing cleaning products or diet can cause problems for rats. When it comes to asking others whether or not your pet needs help, go ahead and ask, but remember you know your pet best. If you're not sure, but think something is wrong, call your vet. Often the best results come when he's taken in at the first sign of illness.
