new rat health help

[horselo285]

Hi everyone,

So I bought a pretty baby dumbo rat last night. Through the encouragement of people on this board as well as another one, I went out today and bought her sister so that she wouldn't be alone.

I had seen her sister at the petstore yesterday, so I just called them and let them know I was coming and they had her all ready.

Now that she is home, I have had a chance to spend some time with her and I am noticing that her coat is rougher than her sisters and that she seems to be sniffling a lot. Should I be concerned? I know stress can make a rat sick....I don't want any problems for her of her sister who I purchased yesterday. They were housed together up until last night and were so happy to see each other when I put the new one today in the cage.

How would I know if there was something wrong with the new one? If there was, could she get the one I purchased yesterday sick? As I said, they were already housed together and have really only been apart for 15 hours...

Help is much appreciated!

 

[jorats]

There could be what we call new home sneezes. Rats sniff so much and take in their environment that they sometimes become sneezy so we recommend waiting a few days before becoming concerned.
If one does turn out to be sick, the other was was already exposed. I'd give it a few more days.

 

[horselo285]

Thank you for the answer!

What I am noticing now, more than the sneezing is that when she is sniffing around at me (I only hear it when I am holding her) she is making kind of a congested sniffing sound.

She doesn't seem unhappy and I do not see any discharge or anything.

I hope she is okay,..... :-( She is turning out to be a real sweetie and I can tell that the two of them have a pretty strong bond.

 

[jorats]

If this continues or you find it's getting worse, with a lot of porphyrin, then I'd recommend bringing both rats in to the vet for a full checkup.

 

[horselo285]

What is porphyrin?

I don't hear any sound congested sniffling sound unless I am holding her. I really hope it is nothing.....I really can't afford a vet bill atm....I spent a bunch of money for the girls and supplies. :-/

I know I could bring her back to the petstore if she is sick....but I really don't want to do that and I dont plan on doing that.

I just hope she doesn't need the vet atm. :-(

 

[mamarat]

Porphyrin is a red discharge around the nose or the eyes. It's like our snot. Hope that helps. And good luck with your sweeties.

 

[horselo285]

Thank you!

So far, no sign of that! And I only hear any sniffling when im holding her and shes sniffing me. I hope she is okay!