Uh oh... I think somethings wrong

[Jem]

A few minutes ago, I heard donna sneeze, so I went to check on her, and I put my hand in (she was on the third level). She stood up and walked over to my hand to lick it, but while she was licking my hand she made these weird little noises, like a cross between a squeak and a sneeze. Also, she was kind of licking her lips a lot, I don't know what that means though.. Anyway, I picked her up and she made that noise about two more times, and that was it. I put her on the base floor and let her lick some water off my finger, she wasn't making those sounds any more. And a few seconds after that, she and ivy started running around and playing. She seems fine right now, but I'm pretty worried, I have a feeling those sounds weren't good. Am I right? Erg, sorry if I'm being annoying, I'm just so lost when it comes to things like this x_x.

[Kendra]

From your description, I would guess that you were hearing congestion.  This means that she may have a respiratory infection.  How old is Donna?  How long have you had her?  Have you recently changed anything in the room where she and Ivy live, like burned a candle or changed cleaning products or tried a new perfume or laundry detergent?  If so, it could be a reaction to one of those things.  Keep a close eye on her.  Rats are notorious for seeming fine until they're very, very ill.  If she keeps making those noises, if you hear any crackling sounds when you listen to her lungs, or if you see any poryphrin around her nose, get her to a vet.  Good luck!

[Jem]

She's about 6 weeks old, and I've had her for a little bit over a week. Nothings changed in the room, but I did give their cage a quick mini-clean (I changed the litter, washed the pan + toys and wiped off the bars, but I used the same stuff I always use to clean the cage). And I'll be sure to keep a close eye on her! Another thing, a few times Ivy's had a bit of red stuff on her nose, but only if I'd just woken her up, and I've been told that's normal if it's gone in a few minutes.

[Kendra]

Yup, some rats just secrete poryphrin when they sleep.  Since you haven't had them long, it could just be her settling in.  Sometimes you see that from the stress of moving to a new home.  It should not last long in that case.  Also, since you did just change the litter, it could be that she is particularly sensitive to dust.  Some rats just are, and the type of bedding and even just the individual bag, can contribute to the dustiness factor.  Just keep an eye on her! 

[Jem]

Will do  . Also, I did hear some clicking from the cage, but I think it was Ivy grinding or clicking her teeth, she seems to do that when she's trying to settle in and sleep. Is that normal? Heh, sorry about all the questions ^^;.

[Kendra]

She was probably bruxing.     That's the tooth-grinding thing rats do when they are very relaxed, or, in certain situations if they are stressed.  When you hear her doing it, if you can get really close without disturbing her, go watch her eyes.  She might be boggling, too!  It's the cutest thing EVER!  Here's a link to a video of what it looks like:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3828392909771714226&q=rat&hl=en

[Jem]

Aw, that's a cute video ^^. But on another note, Donna made those noises again, this time when she was looking at me. They weren't as faint as last time, and she did a funny kinda 'forward and up' thing (she was standing on her hind legs though). I'm wondering, could it be hiccups? That's what it reminded me of, but I've never seen a rat hiccup. (I think one of them sneezed again, too. Poo.)

[Kendra]

Rats definitely can hiccup.  It is usually silent, though, and they'll lurch forward a few times.  Honestly, if you are nervous, it's better to call the vet tomorrow.  You'll drive yourself crazy with worry.  Besides, it's better to take them in for a baby check-up than to wait until they're very ill.

[Jem]

I sooo want to call a vet, but I don't know the numbers of any rat vets  . First thing tomorrow, I'm going to check the phonebook and do a google search! I was actually planning on taking Ivy and Donna in for a check up later this month, when I found a vet. I didn't think anything would come up this quickly x_X. Poor Donna. (Poor me, LOL)

[Kendra]

Have you checked the Vet Directory here on the forum?  There might be someone near you. 

[lilspaz68]

Jem, where do you live in Canada?

[Jem]

I checked the Vet Directory, and there doesn't seem to be anyone near me (I live in Vancouver). I found a vet listed on a rat vet list through google, but he would charge us $105 just for the check up -_-.  I'll keep looking though, maybe there's someone at least in a nearby city (I could take the skytrain).

[lilspaz68]

Petratscanada is a defunct website with lots of good info, and if you check out Vet Info under British Columbia maybe there will be a vet still practicing near you.

http://www.petratscanada.com/

[Jem]

Thank you! I'll be calling a few of those numbers . I'm getting a bit more worried though, one of them (again, not sure which -_-) had a big sneeze (bigger then I've heard before) and they both have a tiny bit of red-ish stuff around their eyes and nose, but I don't know if they had just woken up a few minutes ago, they were up and about when I took them out of the cage. Also, Ivy had a big squishy poo, and I'm pretty sure that's not good  . Maybe it had something to do with the veggies I gave them last night had been in the fridge for a few days? They still smelled fresh.

[lilspaz68]

If they aren't used to veggies that would soften their stool up.  Bring diet changes in slowly so their digestive system gets used to it.  Some rats have more sensitive tums than others.
A little bit of porphyrn is okay as long as they clean it up fairly soon after they wake up,.
One big sneeze isn't anything to worry about either, excessive sneezing is a bit different.

[Jem]

Whew, okay ^^. I have been giving them veggies for about three days now, but I did give them more than normal last night, so that's probably it. And thanks again, this forum has been a HUGE help  .

EDIT: *sigh* Donna started making those sounds again, and this time she was curled up with Ivy (but awake). I wasn't timing it, but I would guess it lasted for about 30 seconds. When she was doing the "forward-ish" thing, it even moved Ivy who was curled on top of her, and after a few seconds she moved off Donna. They moved around a bit, like they were trying to get comfy, then they both got up and started grooming, and went downstairs to eat a bit. Anyway, my point is even though they look happy, licked my hand when I put it in, spent their playtime trying to get under the playmat on my bed () like normal; I just get a feeling that even if they aren't showing it, they aren't very happy. They seem a bit restless maybe. I could try more playtime, but I don't think that's it. And because I might not be able to get them to a vet for a few days, I'm wondering if there's anything I can do at home to make her/them feel a bit better? Like if they both have a stuffy nose, is there something I can do now? Or at least something I can do if there just feeling a bit blue    (heehee, the icons are fun).

[lilspaz68]

Hiccups are pretty common with rats.  They usually stay pretty still and do tiny little lurches forward , there should be no sound but occasionally theres a bit.  Its very rythmic.  Laboured breathing is different, you really see the breathing, their little sides go in and out (its rythmic but not understated), and sometimes there's wheezing, or crackling.

Do they truly seem unhappy to you, or are you just worried that they are?

[Hazelgreen4]

Um.. The red stuff is NOT good. If they have red stuff (i forget what it's called) around their eyes and nose it could be a sign of infection. I don't want to worry you, but you should really try to find a vet.

[lilspaz68]

Um.. The red stuff is NOT good. If they have red stuff (i forget what it's called) around their eyes and nose it could be a sign of infection. I don't want to worry you, but you should really try to find a vet.

A small amount of porphyrn is actually normal...its like rat snot.  But like us if there's too much then that can be a sign of stress or illness.  Light coloured rats seem to have a bit more and a lot of rats wake up with it, but do a quick cleanup and its gone.

[Jem]

Hiccups are pretty common with rats.  They usually stay pretty still and do tiny little lurches forward , there should be no sound but occasionally theres a bit.  Its very rythmic.  Laboured breathing is different, you really see the breathing, their little sides go in and out (its rythmic but not understated), and sometimes there's wheezing, or crackling.

Do they truly seem unhappy to you, or are you just worried that they are?

Well, now that I think about it, I probably am just worrying too much XD. I don't think I've ever head weezeing or crackling.. Well, actually, sometimes when Ivy is washing her face, it seems like she makes a crackling sound whenever her paws go over her nose. She never makes that sound any other time, and not always when she's washing. But just last night, Donna made a sound like that when she was washing, too (and when her paws went over her nose). Other than that, their breathing seems fine. And, I've found a vet ^^. I'll be taking them in on the 5th (and he's giving me a discount for taking them both in!).
EDIT: I'm starting to wonder if four days is too long a wait, their both sneezing more, and Ivy sneezed about five times in a row a few minutes ago. And Donna's making those sounds more often. I'm wondering, would scrubbing down the cage help?