UPDATE: Respiratory infection; Wet belly + blood?

[Jace]

I noticed that my foster rat's throat and upper torso is quite wet, and that his mouth and forelegs seem to be stained with a bit of red. I don't know if it's blood or just porphyrin. The moisture on the underside of his throat didn't smell like urine, and it was clear. He seems to have been a bit less active and hasn't been eating as much today, but when I gave him some yogurt he ate it quite happily.

Any ideas?

 

[Argent]

Perhaps something is caught in his throat and he's drooling it out? That's how they work on stuck items. The red on his mouth and forelegs could be excessive porph from the stress of choking and he's groomed it off and it's become diluted and gotten all over him.
My first thought would be choking...I'd leave him to it to sort it out for himself, but keep an eye on him.

 

[lilspaz68]

I agree with Argent, it does sound like he went through a choking episode, but should be okay now after some rest.

 

[jorats]

How is your rat now?

 

[Jace]

He still isn't eating anything semi hard, like crackers or cereal, but he ate some rolled oats last night and had some more yogurt this morning. The area below his mouth is still damp, but he seems alert and curious.

How long should it take for him to work it out?

EDIT: I haven't seen him making the in-out movements of a choking rat, but I haven't observed him for longer than ten minute intervals either. He is groomed more than normal.

 

[jorats]

It can sometimes take a few hours for them to fully break down the food that is lodged. It sounds like he's feeling better.

 

[Argent]

Phew, good thing he's still eating at all As the others said, it can take a good long while for him to work it out, but he should be ok!

 

[Jace]

Apparently he has a respiratory infection, which was putting him off his food. He had antibiotics earlier for what seemed to be an ear infection, but he's been off those for more than a week. Got more medication for him now. And he seems to be choking again as well. His life is so eventful.

 

[Argent]

Poor lil boy Keep offering him soft food/soaked blocks to eat. How many weeks worth of meds has he got?

 

[Jace]

He has three weeks this time. Baytril and Doxycycline Hyclate.

 

[jorats]

I've noticed a couple of mine would do that too...they seemed to choke a lot but it seemed to be related to their lung infection. I sure hope the meds work fast for him.