Need help with a sick new baby rat :( Vets in Moncton??

[RaychieRay]

Hey there,
I got a new rat today from the pet store and he seemed healthy then and when I got home he started to sneeze like crazy. It did get a little better but later on in the day he started to lean on one side. I did google this and it seems it might be an ear infection. Do you guys know any good vets in Moncton? Any idea how much the treatment will cost?? or anyone have this happened to them before?

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Rach

 

[jorats]

Hi, some rats start to sneeze when they get into their new environment. What colour eyes does he have? Might he just be swaying from side to side? This is normal with red or pink eyed rats.

Lindsayfawn on this forum goes to Mountain Road animal hospital, Dr.Dunnett. She's from Moncton as well.

 

[RaychieRay]

he doesn't have black eyes but they are not exactly red either, more like a dark red. I'm going to keep an eye on him and if I see that it's starting to affect him I'll bring him in on Monday. Thanks!

 

[arresai]

Sounds like he's ruby-eyed. A couple of mine do "the sway" and that's just because they have poorer eye sight than others and swaying helps them to see better. I hope this is the case with your lil' guy.

 

[RaychieRay]

I went on youtube to see what it looks like when they sway and it looks like that's what he's doing! The only thing that still bothers me is the sneezing. I took a listen with my stethoscope and didn't hear any fluid or wheezing in his lungs but he is still sneezing a lot. If it is him getting used to his surroundings how long would the sneezing last?

 

[lilspaz68]

I can last up to a week, but as long as there's no other secondary symptoms of illness or the sneezes don't get wet and congested, you should be just fine. :thumbup:

 

[RaychieRay]

Thank you for the quick response! He is just so darn cute and he had me pretty worried yesterday since the other 2 didn't do that when I got them and you always hear about the fact that they often have problems with their respiratory tract.

 

[RaychieRay]

but he sneezes are a little wet...often times when he sneezes and he's in my hands I can feel his sneeze in my hand

 

[lilspaz68]

clear fluid?

 

[RaychieRay]

no color it just feels a little wet

 

[lilspaz68]

no color it just feels a little wet

don't worry yet, he's just trying to sneeze the "irritant" out. What bedding do you have him on?

 

[RaychieRay]

I have aspen wood chips. I am almost done with the bag and I'm going to try and see if I can find something a little better. Any suggestions?

 

[Argent]

Finacard is my favourite bedding from what I've tried. You can get it in big bales as well, as it's intended for horses really

 

[lilspaz68]

I have aspen wood chips. I am almost done with the bag and I'm going to try and see if I can find something a little better. Any suggestions?

if the aspen isn't dusty you can continue to use it, but if you find it dusty IN the package you should definitely change it.

Plus you also may want to freeze any wood/paper-based beddings in your freezer for 48 hours to kill off any stowaways (rat lice or mites).

 

[LA]

Congrats on the new addition and Welcome to the Forum.

I use Mew's Print, it's a recycled paper with baking soda in it. I personally love it. I find that or Yesterday's News is good as well (it's the same without the baking soda).

New Home Sneezies as we call them are very common. Rats have very sensitive sniffers and any slight change can effect them. Whenever they start sneezing before running to the vet I always do a check if anything has changed in the house, scent, bedding, season etc.

Read this topic, it may give some insight: viewtopic.php?f=26&t=18300

 

[mamarat]

Hope your sweetie is feeling better soon.

 

[RaychieRay]

The last time he sneezed I did notice a tiny amount of light green mucus that came out, I'm going to keep monitoring it and hopefully it's nothing serious. I wish there were breeders in Moncton so that I could gett my ratties from a reliable source. Aw well, I'm going to take care of him the best I can!

 

[SQ]

There are no good ethical rat breeders in Canada and few, if any in the US.

Rats do become ill and from what you have written ie green mucus, it sounds like he needs to see a vet asap.
Rats get ill and die fast.
You might see about getting clavamox (10 mg/Ib twice a day for 3 weeks) in case it is a secondary infection plus either azithromycin (5 to 15 mg/Ib twice a day for 4 weeks) or baytril (10 mg/Ib twice a day for 6 weeks) in case it is myco.

hope he is soon feeling better

 

[RaychieRay]

hey,

I sent an e-mail to the vet and I'm going to try and call on my break to get an appointment for today.

 

[RaychieRay]

I have an appointment at 7:40 tonight with the vet, I'll let you all know how it goes!