rats with RI

[unknownclown]

Hello :)
I bought this rat as a breeder and a couple days afterwards it started to sound a bit raspy with its breathing. Well I separated it and after about a week I noticed blood on her nose then in the morning I found that she had died. :(

Ok now I have a second one who keeps on sneezing and Im afraid that she has it too. I separated her from therest as well. Is there anyway to reverse RI without a trip to the vets? Im on a tight budget and to be honest these arent meant to be pets anyway... although if you ask my daughter she will tell you different.

[Blueeheeler]

What kind of substrate are you using? Pine will cause nose bleeds, sneezing, coughing, etc...

I use newspaper pellets or pellets amde from cardboard. Works good and no dust.

Other than that I would have not a clue, but I would say antibiotics are reccommended. Good luck.

Jamie

[Hamster of Borg]

Many times, red crusty stuff around the nose area is not blood, its just mucus. I'm with Blue, if you have them on a dusty substrate that can irritate their respiratory system - causing the symptoms you describe, and even death.

Still, many rats can come down with a form of pneumonia which can be brought on by any number of factors - previous exposure and stress being the key ones. Its very a stubborn infection and I'm sorry to say it, but I doubt there is going to be a home remedy to cure it. Keep her away from drafts and cold. Make sure the diet you're feeding is good. Don't bring any other rats into the house and risk possibly exposing them too.

Ham

[Burmies]

I would have to say no, but I can not be too sure.

Burmies

[unknownclown]

:( She is starting to scratch at her eyes now and is just lookin bad theres bleeding around the tear ducts. :(

So if nobody thinks she can make it I will put her outta her misery before it gets spread to any of my other pets.
By the way can the snake, dog and cat catch it as well from her? Im sure the mice and other rats can... Darn my daughter was attached to her too :(

[unknownclown]

ok I did a search and figured that she more than likely has sialodacryoaddenitis.
Hmmm Im not sure what to do but give the poor girl a ride in a bag/pillowcase.

[Hamster of Borg]

Euthanization is never an easy decision. Be positive on the diagnosis. To my knowledge it cannot be transmitted to humans, or dogs. I don't know about other rodents though. Almost certainly not to snakes.

Ham

[fr0glet]

Normally illnesses that can affect endotherms are not compatible with ectotherms. There are exceptions to the rule but RI is not one of them. So you can feed a rat with an RI to a snake safely.

RI's are very common and very chronic in rodents. If any of the rest were exposed you can bet they will develop it in time too. Keep their cages clean and the ammonia levels down, house on something relatively inert (like newspaper) and keep them at the warm end of their heat tolerance range.

hth

[unknownclown]

I still havent taken her for a pillowcase ride to tell you the truth Im not looking forward to it and Im procrastinating. She was in with my 2 males so Im hoping that maybe shes pregnant. Ive heard that rats can live awhile with RI so we will see. Unfortunately I dont have any snakes big enough to eat her yet I bought her another female and the males to provide food for my 3 foot ball python, which never happened. Instead they are becomming pets for my daughter UGH I cant believe I let my beautiful little girl play with rats.

[fr0glet]

If by "going for a pillowcase ride" you are talking about swinging and smacking a rodent against something hard, I'm afraid that is NOT a humane way to die. Please consider learning the very simple cervical dislocation technique (use google to learn about it) or creating a simple CO2 chamber (easiest done with a cooler and inside a small container with holes in the lid with dry ice in it).

Incidentally I think rats make excellent pets. They're intelligent and loving and really truly bond with people and other animals.

It's true that a rat can live for a couple of years with a RI.

HEY I just noticed you're in Lynnwood!!! Are you a member of PNHS? I live 45 minutes north of you :)

[Dom]

The pillow case Idea is TOTALLY HUMANE..

You smack it and the skull and brain is detroyed.. it dies right away .. just hit hard .. CO2 works great as well but is not alwasy available to everyone.

My method is putting my fingers around the neck and pulling hard on the tail ... the spinal cord is broken and the animal dies as quickly as well.. but that one is hard i f u don't know how to do it..


Personally .. breeders and feeders.. thats what they are.. u keep em in good healt and care for them for good food for your animals to eat them soon after.. I would not bring him to the vet since he is not a pet but simply an animal thats well kept for fedding consumption..

I'd put him down and buy a new one!

[fr0glet]

Dry ice is available to damn near everyone.

Regarding the pillow case... what if they don't smack hard enough the first time? What if the impact is on the legs and tailbone instead of the head and skull? To me there is just too much margin for error in which the animal could suffer needlessly... and disgusting possibilities like it splitting open. :P

Your method you described is exactly what cervical dislocation is... also easily done with a knife handle on the back of the neck and pulling hard on the tail. To me that is simple and I got it on my first try.

Then again I buy nothing but frozen these days... ahhhh keeps my life simple. :)

[unknownclown]

Im going to wait to see if she is infact pregnant before I make any decissions and to see if the others come down with it as well since they were caged together.

Can my mice catch it from her?

Froglet, Im guessin you live somewhere up near.. Stanwood? And nope Im not a member yet.

[Lisa]

You can get dry ice from praxair. (did a yellowpages search) don't know the price yet as i'm at work right now.

[reptilesalonica]

I have a photo on how to create a homemade CO2 chaimber. If you like i can post it. Well tomorrow...now i have to go

[unknownclown]

That would be great :)

[fr0glet]

Hey unknownclown, I live in Mount Vernon. I drive down to herp society meetings every month, it's a blast! You should come. This month's is on April 27th at the Seattle Aquarium, delayed because of Easter.