Sneezing - Update

[LA]

When I got Pearl and Olivia they both sneezed, obviously new home sneezies. Olivia has stopped. I tried Childrens Reactin for a week on Pearl and it didn't work. I am now going onto my fourth day of Benedryll she is still sneezing. I do think that she is not sneezing as much as she was when I first got her but there are still sneezes. If this doesn't work where do I go from there. Pearls lungs sound clear (I have listened to them). They have been with me since Jan 2. Is this something I should have checked out by the vet or should I just monitor it and if I hear anything in the lungs then go to the vet. I am ok with leaving it the way it is if I know that the sneezing is not that bad.

Thanks.

 

[lindsayfawn]

Rats sneeze like humans do and from what I've read they can get colds too. But excessive sneezing can be caused by Myco. Templeton, my first rat, had that. She'd sneeze quite a bit but then it would go away and come back. When it did come back her sneeze was also like a wheezing nose and she had all this ...well there's no nice way to put it lol snot coming out of her nose. I'd have to take a tissue and wipe it away 'cause it would just got down her chin and she'd try to clean it up.
If her lungs sound clear to you and she's not wheezing then maybe she just has a little cold? But can always have a vet check her out they usually know best.
Hope she'll be ok

 

[LA]

She has no porphryn, no wheezing, but it's somewhat constant (as in I hear it everyday). More so when she is excited.

 

[SQ]

The occassional sneeze is nothing to be concerned about.

However,
According to Debbie D. frequent sneezing can be caused by respiratory infection, respiratory irritation (toxins, dust), sensitivity to bedding, and nose injury.

Are any of the following in your home?
- cigarette smoke, air freshener, incense, scented candles, perfume, cleaning products that might irritate his airway, etc.
- if you use fleece, etc. could be the detergent?
- is the bedding or litter scented or dusty?

If you can think of any irritant such as above, remove it for 3 to 7 days and see if there is any improvement.

Rats do not get colds.
They do get various respir infections, etc that may cause similar symptoms but are much more serious and need medical treatment. (Rat Health Care book, p. 25)

 

[lindsayfawn]

I guess I consider respiratory infections like a bad cold.

 

[jennifervb]

When I got Pearl and Olivia they both sneezed, obviously new home sneezies. Olivia has stopped. I tried Childrens Reactin for a week on Pearl and it didn't work. I am now going onto my fourth day of Benedryll she is still sneezing. I do think that she is not sneezing as much as she was when I first got her but there are still sneezes. If this doesn't work where do I go from there. Pearls lungs sound clear (I have listened to them). They have been with me since Jan 2. Is this something I should have checked out by the vet or should I just monitor it and if I hear anything in the lungs then go to the vet. I am ok with leaving it the way it is if I know that the sneezing is not that bad.

Thanks.

Le-Andra,
Basil has a similar problem. He was sneezing like a house on fire but I couldn't find anything else wrong with him (no porphyrin, no laboured breathing, not lethargic, no problems eating way more than he should...lol)

My vet suggested replacing my CareFresh bedding with paper towels and changing them out daily. I line the bottom of the cage with paper bags from the grocery store (I get mine from Trader Joes or Whole Foods so I know that they are not full of any poisonous inks) and then cover the bag(s) up with paper towels (also recycled and not containing any inks or dyes). I also thouroughly wash out the cage pan, and wipe down the rest of the cage, with hot water, anti-bacterial dish soap and a hefty shot of white vinegar, once a week.

This has really helped. His sneezing has significantly reduced but it has not completely gone away. My vet and her staff are currently wracking their brains trying to figure out what else could be causing it. I think I might try changing my laundry detergent and see if that helps.

I hope some of this helps you. Don't despair, you are not alone in your boat. I will keep you updated on any results from changing my detergent.

Hugs,

 

[LA]

I would quote but I don't know how to quote two people.

I use YN and that shouldn't be a problem. But they were on carefresh when I got them and the previously family used it. I don't know how that would be a problem. I too am wracking my brain.

For us personally I am senstive to candles, incence, and air fresheners my self so I don't use any of that. Perfume I use very rarely and it's in another room in the bathroom. I use it like once a month. Same detergent, no smoking no allergins like cats or dogs. BUT I will say this, the previous tenant had a cat and did smoke. I am sometimes sensitive to it even though it's been since November. Maybe that's it she's super sensitive.

 

[jorats]

My mom had a rat that sneeze constantly. Nothing we did would stop it. But he lived with it well. We did try an allergy elixir which it did seem to help but not enough to continue using it.

 

[Bronwyn]

I was going to post the exact same question - Phoe has the same sneeze but it's clear, no sound in the lungs, and it increases when she's excited. Actually come to think of it I only hear her do it when I'm rummaging around the cage or and playing with the girls in the cage and she seems unsure of what to do about it. Otherwise she's quiet.

 

[LA]

Same thing here Bron, maybe Pearl does sneeze a little more but that's it.

I'm just going to keep an eye on her. As soon as I hear something more I will take her into the vet. Until then.

Now Wayne said it was possible that she may have broken her nose when she was with the first family. They basically neglected them so I don't know if they would ever notice, especially if it healed straight. I have looked at her nose and it's hard to tell.

 

[Bronwyn]

I have no idea myself. : / Phoe's been like that since the day she arrived, it never got worse, never got better as far as I can remember. I have Baytril on hand but am a little perplexed by the situation! I'll be watching the thread to see how your girl does.

 

[LA]

Well I am phoning the vet on Monday because although I have been checking Pearls lungs daily, tonight I came home and she was sleeping and she sounded like a motor. I picked her up after she woke up and it was definately in her lungs. No Doubt about it.

Here's a video you can't really hear it until half way.


My poor baby. I feel so bad for her. But she's not lethargic, she's bright eyed. She does have porphyrin on her one eye.

Now question she's probabaly about 9 months old. What type of meds do you think. I know Zithro and Baytril are best together. What do you all think. I am totally lost here. Also is there a generic brand from a pharmacy I could use?

Also is there anything I can do right now to make her more comfortable.

 

[jorats]

That noise could still be nasal. But I would still bring her to the vet, just in case. If the vet thinks she needs meds, I would ask for Zithro, a 28 day course. Twice a day for seven days and then once a day for 21 days.

 

[MumsyRat]

Does she look like she's having trouble breathing or is it just noise right now? I'm sorry I didn't see this earlier. I would have recommended echinachea rather than reactin or benadryl. I wouldn't start her on it now though since she's going to the vet on Monday. I would however put the other girls on it. It helps boost the immune system and will help prevent them from catching something. (Put 1 or 2 drops of the children's flavoured stuff on a piece of bread and give it to them once a day for 7 days.)

If you have any dark chocolate in the house give her a little piece. It helps to expand the airways in rats.

There are several antibiotics in use for resp. infections. I would probably ask for Baytril/Doxy. Make sure you get the right dose - if the vet isn't experienced with rats he/she could prescribe too much or too little. The first vet I ever went to gave my rat a 10X overdose of ChlorPalm and killed her. Print out a copy of the medication guide and bring it with you. Maybe put a red circle around the ones you are interested in.

http://www.rmca.org/Articles/dchart.htm

Poor Pearl, hope she feels better soon!

 

[mamarat2]

Hey LA! Just wanted to let you know, one of my groups I used to swear had lung congestion. Took them to the vets, turned out to be sinus congestion. In our case we got them onto some herbs to clear the sinus congestion. My vet got it from their herbal place they deal with but they also sell the stuff for people, does the same thing. And you should be able to buy it in the herbal type stores. PM me if ya want more info.

Jen

 

[LA]

Well everytime I checked her before today (like a telephone) her lungs were clear, but when I could hear her doing this I picked her up an it sounded like it was in her lungs.

Mumsy, you did recommend the echinechea and I have been using it and will continue it. Don't worry this is not something you can see. She was sneezey and that was all, she change home 2 times in 3 days.

I will get dark chocolate for her. She'll love that. thanks Guys.

 

[LA]

Well we were out most of the day and I bought dark chocolate. How much can I give them. I bought wafers and I cut it into 6 pieces so they were pretty small. Right now Pearl is breathing fine. So tomorrow I will be phoning to see the vet.

EDIT: Spoke too soon. She's still not breathing well.

 

[jorats]

For dark chocolate to be beneficial, it needs to be at least 70% cocoa.
If it contains too much milk, it can actually promote mucus in the throat.
A tiny little piece should be fine.

 

[SQ]

A very, very tiny piece of dark chocolate is given to help ratties in respiratory distress breath until they can get to a vet. It will temporarily dilate the airways, buying time to get medical help.

 

[LA]

Good to know. Thank you.

I have an appt Wednesday at 11am. I will keep a close eye on her and make her as comfortable as possible. She's still playing and eating and drinking so. OH yeah and she was bruxing and eye boggling for me last night so I dont' think she is in too much distress. Silly girl.