Red stuff on paper towel??

[missnikki]

I found some reddish looking stains on the ratties paper towel today, looks like blood but wondered if it could be something else? I have checked the ratties out thoroughly and they physically don't appear to have any injuries and their lil parts don't look sore or red.

Do rats menstruate?

Any ideas? It reminded me of the liquid I saw after my old pet mice gave birth. Neither of my rattie girls are pregnant or ever have been.


Here's a pic, its kind of a reddish brown color on the white paper towel.

 

[AshleyRayeRats]

Rat saliva has a pigmentation (sort of pinkish). Could be from that, or porphyrin discharge from eyes/nose?

 

[SQ]

Rats do not menstruate. Blood from that area is a sign of a life threatening condition that needs an immediate vet visit for treatment and possibly surgery.

If it isn't blood, it could be porphrin .... but it doesn't really look like it to me.
Porphrin is usually a sign or stress or illness.

 

[coreline]

could also make sure none of the rats have bladder infections?

I did have one rat who had allergies once, she produced more porphyrin than my other rats. didn't matter what we'd put her on, she'd sneeze and splash it around more. I did notice that in the corners where she liked to groom (but also decided it was her pee corner) there tended to be a mix of porphyrin and urine. which sort of looked like that, but lighter/smaller patches. she'd been checked for everything though, so it was basically decided by a vet that it was allergies.

so I'd still default to getting everyone a check up to make sure if more is produced.

 

[jorats]

That looks more like a urine stain with light blood in it. I'd try and find which rat is having issues... they get bladder infections often enough.

 

[SQ]

That looks more like a urine stain with light blood in it. I'd try and find which rat is having issues... they get bladder infections often enough.

... so the rattie needs a vet visit and antibiotics asap

 

[missnikki]

Thanks for all the great info - anyone know what causes bladder infections in rats?

I am going to take them for a check up soon.

 

[jorats]

I don't know what causes them, probably bacteria...but they really should see a vet asap for meds. Bladder infections can be very painful. If you see anymore blood in urine bring them in sooner.