Vet? Noisy breathing and dirty bottom *update*

[Wishing4Rats]

Ok, one of my new girls just started some symptoms that are confusing. She breathes funny. It's not clicking, wheezy or raspy, she's not having a hard time breathing, AND she doesn't do it all the time. I don't know how to describe it, but it's an obvious sound, kind of like she's congested? I guess? Not even like that... I really don't know how to describe it. I also just noticed today she has a very small amount of poop dried on her little bum. I just had my hands all in their bedding patting it down to put some Critter Care on top (they've been throwing the Carefresh out every night, so I wanted something heavier), and I didn't notice any unsual poops. There was one small black one, and the rest were small and firm like usual. No poriphyn from her eyes or nose--I've been checking every day. Any ideas what this could be??

Also, her and her sister seem to of switched personalities. Constanta is the one I'm asking about, and she's usually running all over curious about everything. Now she's been camping in the hammock, coming out only to groom and wrestle with her sister for a minute or to eat/drink. And Gypsy now runs all over the cage trying to see and smell everything. Constanta isn't lethargic, but she is less curious and energetic.

I like to know what I'm up against before I go to the vet, and I like to know it's something the vet should treat before I go, so that's why I'm asking first. Taking her to the vet is no problem.

[lilspaz68]

Is it an occasional snuffling sound when she breathes?  Have you tried to listen to her lungs to see if its in her nose or her lungs?

Oh and thank you for saying you will take her to the vet!!  Thats wonderful to hear!   

[reedross]

Does it sound like a chicken clucking?

- April

[Wishing4Rats]

Is it an occasional snuffling sound when she breathes?  Have you tried to listen to her lungs to see if its in her nose or her lungs?

Oh and thank you for saying you will take her to the vet!!  Thats wonderful to hear!   

I don't know if it's considered snuffling, as it's pretty pronounced. I guess you could say it sounds similar to a chicken clucking, just stuffier. It sounds like congestion, and it seems to occur when she's "stressed." Like when I'm lifting her out of the cage she starts in real bad (I tried to see if it was lungs or breathing then, but it sounded like both it was so loud with my ear against her!), and then it quiets down or stops once she's comfy. But I've heard her doing it in her hammock by herself, too. Does this signal an infection or what?

The dried poo is what confuses me, since there doesn't seem to be diarreah in the cage. I don't think she's stressed either, as both girls seemed to be settling in really well before this. I think she has had some poriphyn by her eyes, too, as it looks like she's just cleaning it off continously. There was a little goober of it by her eye just now when I was handling her.

Like I said, vet care is no problem, I just want to go in informed and ready! Didn't stop her from bruxing while I held her, either, bless. 

[lilspaz68]

Sounds like a typical URI...Baytril/Doxy cocktail.
Dried poo is most likely just an ooops, if it was normally formed.

Did you just get them recently?

[reedross]

All my rats 'clucked' when they had a URI........... when it first started they would only do it when they were excited or when they first woke up but it would get progressively worse until treated....... I actually finally just had to keep them on baytril/doxy for life because they would 'cluck' without it!

- April

[Wishing4Rats]

Perfect, that's all I needed to know. Will call the vet tomorrow and get her in ASAP. They'll probably be excited to see her, as they're always excited to see my rats. Ever since Darren I get asked about them all the time. Don't know if they'll be as excited once they see my squirmy sharp-nailed girlies, though! lol

Lilspaz, I got them several weeks ago now. They're actually from a pet store right next to my vet's office, but I certainly didn't purchase them. Someone bought them for their little boy, and his momma turned out to be allergic, so they pawned them off on gma., and she got tired of cleaning the cage. So I took them. Can URIs be caused by pine shavings at all? That's what they were on when I got them, but they've been on Carefresh for awhile now (since I've had them), and this is the first time she's shown symptoms.

Now I'm anxious to get her to the vet. Y'all pray a vet is in that sees "exotics" (preferably the vet I like, but this won't take a genius ). There almost always is, I think, I just hope it's not one particular one. 

[lilspaz68]

Quite a few rats end up with URI's within a week or so of moving to a new home.  I would imagine your girl got moved to the allergy home, then grandma and now you...those stresses reduce the immune system allowing it to show up.  I wouldn't worry too much, she has the ucky breathing but that will most likely be taken care of with the abs.  Pine is a long term problem with respiratory, but some rats are especially sensitive to the phenols and might have breathing problems on it.  Is she sneezing as well?

[Wishing4Rats]

No sneezing. We're going in at 8 am tomorrow. Cross your fingers for us the antibiotics take care of it quickly and there are no other problems!

[Lil Red]

I agree that a vet visit is a good idea.  Are any of the beddings that you've been using (Carefresh or Critter Care) dusty?  That may be aggravating her condition.  That's just a guess.  I don't have much experience with URIs.

[Wishing4Rats]

Oh, and we do get to see our regular vet--she's the best! So that's excellent. I'm really anxious to get her in. Gypsy will ride along, too, as I know being away from her sister will only cause additional stress at this point. It's scary having to take them out in this heat, but it's only a 5 minute drive, so I know they'll be ok. 

Neither the Carefresh or Critter Care is any dustier than I've always used, so I don't think that's the problem. I did think about that. The only thing is the girls have a thing with digging in the bedding (until it all falls out the front  ), so I'm wondering if that does make it worse. Like I said, she's been camping in the hammock the majority of the time, so hopefully the bedding isn't making anything worse. We'll see. With the lack of poraphyn and sneezing, I'm thinking it's mostly internal at this point.

[Celestrina]

Oh, and we do get to see our regular vet--she's the best! So that's excellent. I'm really anxious to get her in. Gypsy will ride along, too, as I know being away from her sister will only cause additional stress at this point. It's scary having to take them out in this heat, but it's only a 5 minute drive, so I know they'll be ok. 

That's good that you are taking both.  The vet might want to take a peek at Gypsy to be sure she's doing ok.

[Wishing4Rats]

As long as it won't stress the healthy cagemate for some odd reason, I always take the cagemate in too. There is no better excuse for getting two exams for the price of one.  My different vets are funny, though, as most of them won't examine any other rat I have in there that's not actually in for something. It's funny, though entirely understandable. I can't remember if our regular vet normally does or not, as we haven't seen her with rats in awhile. Darren always got the crummy vet, and my boys haven't had to go in since I've had them (praise the Lord!). Will update tomorrow. I'm so glad we got in so quick...

[jorats]

If your vet doesn't hear anything in the lungs, I would suggest just doing a round of doxy. Keep the Baytril for when it's really needed. If the doxy doesn't clear it in a week, then go back for Baytril.

[Wishing4Rats]

K, the vet gave her a shot of Doxy and a vitamin supplement, and she was put on Enroflaxin once a day. Vet said to get some yogurt to give her after the enroflax. to keep her from getting diarreah. That's what I normally do anyway--2+ hours after giving the meds. I'm supposed to call in 5 days and give her an update.

Thinking through everything I'm realizing the vet didn't give me very good or complete instructions, which is unusual. Constanta's basically on "two drops" of enroflaxin (which I figured out last time is the equivalent to what they prescribe in cc.s anyway), and they didn't tell me for how long! I'll ask when I call in 5 days, I guess.

The vet looked at Gypsy briefly and said she looked ok. Vet was worried about this going through my other rats, too. Are URIs contagious? Should I move my boys out of my room? Gypsy's already exposed, so I'm not going to worry about her (she really is doing well, too, no signs of illness at all). Sick babies just aren't any fun. Thanks so much for all your help, everyone. I really appreciate it!

[scout]

Any URIs that are spread through the air has already spread to all your rats. Any germs that are spread on your hands or clothing have already spread to all your rats. Any germs that are spread by direct contact with other rats won't be spread unless you put them all together. So probably whatever exposures would happen already have and I think it's probably not necessary to move everyone out of their usual places at this point. Do make sure everyone is staying well hydrated since that will help them maintain healthy immune systems to fight off things that might "float" their way!

[Wishing4Rats]

Lord, I've never had anything contagious come through. I'm so careful about quarantine, and was careful this time too before bringing the girls home. How do they suddenly acquire something that's contagious?! I'll be careful not to touch one cage and then the other, at least. I'm so glad I haven't allowed the boys and girls to come in contact. I'm gonna try and go to the store tomorrow for yogurt anyway, so I'll pick up some extra hydrating foods for everyone. Thanks, Scout! Wish us well. 

[lilspaz68]

Make sure its active culture yogurt for the probiotic qualities.