Do rats get colds?

[mandytheamazing]

My beige rat Mitzey has had the sniffles lately.  When she sleeps in her hammock, I can hear her make little sneezing sounds ("chew, chew, chew..") and her little body shakes each time.  It sure seems like she's sneezing, and just a few minutes ago when I had her in my lap she tried to take a bite of me..    Something she has not done since I first got her months ago.

She and her cagemate Socks have had aspen shavings for bedding for awhile, then I noticed Mitzey's sneezing and thinking maybe the bedding was to blame, I went to Walmart and got some stuff called Critter Care.  It is very similar, if not the same, as Carefresh (what I used a lonnng time ago).

Her sneezing and sniffles have not stopped though, not even with the bedding change.  Their cage is also right next to a floor vent so I don't think it could be because they are too cold.  Any ideas?

[WS]

Keeping her out of cold drafty areas should definitely help as would switching her from dusty bedding of any kind (I use and recommend cloth bedding... especially for rats with respiratory problems)  but it sounds like she needs to be seen by her veterinarian.   (If she nipped at you, she may be feeling quite badly.)


Respiratory illnesses are the most common causes of illness and death in our pet rats. Since all rats have delicate respiratory systems and are exposed to certain microorganisms that can cause infection, symptoms of respiratory illness should be checked out by a vet promptly.

Infections may not always show symptoms right away and often start with sneezing. Respiratory infections can progress from sniffles to bronchial pneumonia quickly and can cause permanent damage to lung tissue and even be fatal. Luckily, your vet can treat mycoplasmal and bacterial infections with appropriate antibiotics.

While most sneezes are nothing to "sneeze at" and are often a sign of infection, not every sneeze is a cause for concern (since rats can sneeze at dusty conditions or allergens like people). -- Constant or frequent sneezing, though, is almost always a sign of trouble.

I hope your little one feels better soon!

[Noe]

...it sounds like she needs to be seen by her veterinarian...Respiratory illnesses are the most common causes of illness and death in our pet rats. Since all rats have delicate respiratory systems and are exposed to certain microorganisms that can cause infection, symptoms of respiratory illness should be checked out by a vet promptly...Infections may not always show symptoms right away and...can progress from sniffles to bronchial pneumonia quickly and can cause permanent damage to lung tissue and even be fatal. Luckily, your vet can treat mycoplasmal and bacterial infections with appropriate antibiotics.

Excellent advice. Try your best to find a vet with some experience in rats. Also, be sure to check out the Internet Resources section of this forum under the Reference Desk area. There are many helpful articles and websites linked there, including a Drug chart that you should bring to your vet to help determine dosage of common medications.

Although rats are susceptible to respiratory infections and can go downhill quite fast, with prompt treatment they often make a full recovery and many of my rats have come back from the brink of death to experience months or even years of good health with proper supervision from a qualified vet.

I wish you luck in treating your girl. Please do try to find her treatment ASAP; with their fast metabolisms, rats can go downhill surprisingly quickly.  

[mandytheamazing]

Thanks for your help.  I will have a look at some of those sites and get an appointment with the vet set up!