Question by : RAT EXPERTS: Why is my pet rat sneezing?
I know I’ve posted loads of questions about rats, but I can’t find anything like my particular case online.
Here are all the details. I know it’s a RIDICULOUS amount of info, but I want to make sure everything is covered. Please read all of it if you want to help me. I really need your help! Personal experience would be great.
-My new rat Ella is always sneezing (except when she’s sleeping or sitting still).
-I got her about 12 days ago from a pet store. She was a feeder rat (I realize they are generally unhealthy).
-Ella was sneezing when I picked her up from the pet store (less frequently, however).
-She’s maybe 3 months old and still wary of me.
-Usually she’ll sneeze between 3-8 times a minute, but sometimes she won’t at all for as long as an hour or two (maybe longer… I don’t hear her when I’m asleep, obviously).
-Occasionally she’ll break into sneezing fits of about 10-15 sneezes a minute.
-Ella also sneezes when she is out of her cage, but perhaps less than usual.
-Whenever I put her back in her cage after handling, she’ll sneeze several times in succession.
-When she runs around on the floor in her “play pen” outside of her cage, she will make sniffing noises like a dog. She usually only does this when she’s sticking her nose in something.
-Ella sneezes liquid (mucus or water, it’s not poryphin) about 75% of the time.
-There is no red discharge from her eyes or nose that I have seen.
-Her nose is not wet, red, or stuffy.
-She will randomly blow air through her nose. Kind of a like a sneeze, but more like a strong, intentional puff of air through her nose. She doesn’t do this very often.
-Ella is an active, curious rat who eats/drinks plenty. She takes treats from me, playfully nibbles at my finger, and plays “tag” with me when I put my hand in her cage.
-She does not appear to have trouble breathing. I haven’t noticed any wheezing/coughing/heaving/etc.
-Ella’s been living alone for about 9 days because her former cage mate turned out to be a boy (she also might be pregnant…great). Unfortunately, I can’t remember if she sneezed as much when she was with him, though I bet she was happier then.
-I have purchased her a new friend (Luna) from a first-time breeder 6 days ago. Luna’s parents were feeder rats. She is living in a separate cage until I can figure out if Ella’s condition is contagious or not. Due to friend’s mistake, Luna has already been exposed to Ella and even drank from her water bottle (this occurred the day I got her). I have not heard Luna sneeze at all, which may or may not be because she’s very young–about 7 weeks. This might also be evidence that Ella is not contagious.
-I’ve tried Kaytee (for 4 days), CareFRESH (for 7 days), and now aspen bedding (put it in last night) for Ella, but her sneezing hasn’t stopped or lessened (I have/will never use cider or pine).
-Her cage is well ventilated in a room with a humidifier.
-I change her bedding every 2-3 days.
-Ella went to the rodent vet about 5 days ago (after I’d had her for less than a week), but the vet was unable to diagnose her and told me to wait it out to see if her condition worsened, if she could fight off whatever she has naturally, or for her to settle in.
-Vet also said that Ella’s lungs seemed clear/healthy and her heart rate was normal.
-I am not prone to allergies, but sometimes my sinuses do get a little irritated by dust in my dorm room. I dusted and vaccumed 3 days ago hoping it’d help Ella–to no avail.
-I did try giving her a tiny bit of dark chocolate which I don’t think made a difference because isn’t suffering from breathing difficulties.
-The only medication she is on is a topical lice killer which I applied yesterday. There has been no change in her sneezing habits since I administered it.
-Ella is skittish from bad socialization as a baby. She still poops/pees on me when I pick her up directly from her cage. I’m making progress on her though. (Luna, on the other hand, is active, hyper, adorable, friendly, and sweet–as a baby rat should be. She does not poop/pee on me when I pick her up because she was socialized at a young age).
***
I am aware that it generally takes time for a rat to adjust to new bedding and a new environment, but her constant sneezing really concerns me. I don’t want her to be miserable.
I really don’t think Ella is suffering from an upper respiratory infection or pneumonia. I have heard of certain rats just being sneezy their whole lives due to allergies–I hope this is the case. If it is, what can I do to reduce the sneezing?
I’d like to put her and Luna together as soon as possible–I feel like it’d make them both happier. When should will it be safe to introduce them?
I’m sorry this is so long! I just wanted everything to be on the floor so that certain things can be ruled out.
I know about Myco, and of course Ella has it. I’m just concerned she might carry something contagious or is having a life-threatening Myco flair up.
Her cage is under my bed. No drafts.
Best answer:
Answer by Justin
Sneezing is a semi-autonomous, convulsive expulsion of air from the lungs through the nose and mouth, usually caused by foreign particles irritating the nasal mucosa. Have you been dipping your rat in sand and/or flour?
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