Possible URI in Cow, my rat?

[nifzeta]

I've never seen a URI in a rat, but Cow seems to have just this morning developed an issue. He tended before to sniff, sort of, but he's developed some squeeky sound, like when your nose stuffs up when you get a cold. However, he doesn't sound like a he's breathing a wet breath. He's breathing more quickly, but so do I when I'm congested.
He did, however, have a lot of porphyrin on one eye, which seems to have swelled slightly.
He also seems to be eating as well as usual, and he's still trying to steal my food where I am, so while I have made an appointment for him at the vet for tomorrow morning before I have to work, I don't really know if I'll just end up with a rat who has allergies.
I'm also either coming down with something or developing allergies I've never had before, and I'm not really sure if maybe it's connected to my basement where the rats stay ( I live with five people in a student house and the room I'm in is in the basement, which is mostly unfinished and does get wet and grow mold.) (I am also moving out in...42 days, 8 hours and zero minutes as of right now.)
Anyway, if Cow seems to be clicking when he breathes and doesn't sound like his breathing is wet, then is it possible to still be a URI?

 

[ZoeHale]

It is definitely a URI. Very common in rats. Please take Cow (and any other rats you may have, as rat illnesses are airborne) to the vet. Get them on some antibiotics. It should clear up in about 2 weeks, or shorter. Sometimes longer.

 

[nifzeta]

Ok. Thanks. I did have an appointment, I was hoping it wouldn't be a URI. It's odd though, that none of my other rats have any signs of it at all and each of them shares the same cage--and hammocks.

 

[ZoeHale]

They may not be having any symptoms, and they may not have it. But it's better to be safe than sorry. I hated it when my ratties had their URI's. Hope it clears up fast!

 

[Rachael]

Yes, good luck with him. A steroid injection then antibiotics might be a good idea...

 

[jorats]

The sooner you can get out of that basement the better for you ratties and you! Mold and living beings just don't mix.

 

[nifzeta]

I can't wait to have them out of the basement... 41 days, 19 hours, 39 minutes and 30 seconds till I can get them out.
I went to their appointment today, and got them all some Baytril. Apparently Cow has a respiratory infection.
Go figure. His eye has swelled since yesterday, but hopefully it will go down as the meds kick in. He takes them like a champ, unlike the others.

 

[ryelle]

hope he gets better fast

 

[henry's_mum]

how is sweet ole Cow hun?
:heart:

 

[nifzeta]

Still going. Clicking a little, but going. Funny thing is, he's suuuuuper cuddly. Always. But moreso now that he's sickly and frail. Okay. Not really frail. He's still fighting for the oatmeal I made for him, and he's all grabby paws for the Baytril.
Love him to pieces.

 

[jorats]

Lots of loving for that little guy.