Common Ailments
Rats in NZ do not suffer from many of the problems found overseas. If you rat is sickly then it is likely to be caused by one following:
Remember that this list is not exhaustive, and if you have any concerns about your rat's health please see a vet.
Mites are not uncommon in rats, but very easy to treat. Rats can get mites from infected bedding, other rats they come in contact with, or from outside if they are allowed to play out there. Symptoms include regular scratching and the presence of scabs. Mites are often located around the chin and nose, around the neck and at the base of the tail, so scabs are likely to appear in these areas first. Most mites are species specific, so it is highly unlikely that you will personally be infected from your rats. To treat them, 1-2 drops (depending on size) of revolution for cats applied between the shoulders is enough. At the same time the cage needs to be cleaned and any fabric bedding washed to kill any eggs present. Even if only one rat is showing symptoms, all rats sharing that cage or playing in the same areas as the infected rat need to be dosed. Usually improvement is noticable by the next day, with the scabs clearing up over the next week. Only one treatment is usually required, but if everything is not cleaned thoroughly more eggs might hatch around 3 weeks later and a further treatment at this time might be necessary.
Rats are very prone to getting respiratory infections. These are classified as upper respiratory infections (URIs) and lower respiratory infections (LRIs). An URI is when your rat is congested and starts to have some difficulty breathing. Signs of this are excessive phorphorin around the nose and eyes and the rat making a squeaking/snuffling/honking noise when it breathes. Causes of this can be environmental; using pine bedding or other strong odours can irritate rats respiratory tracts, and not cleaning the cage regularly enough will result in high levels of amonia present which will also have the same effect. Some infections can also be contagious, so monitor your other rats for symptoms. Treatment for infections is a course of antibiotics. Baytril is the standard antibiotic prescribed by vets, but other medicines include doxy and clavamox. See the rmca drug chart for suggested dosages. To strengthen the immune system, and help with prevention and recovery from a respiratory infection, echinacea is recommended. See the echinacea and honey drink recipie in the section below. Left untreated URIs can develop into LRIs which are much more serious, as well as lowering the quality of life for you rat.
Lower respiratory infections (LRIs) are much more serious and need to be treated quickly or they can be fatal. Symptoms include excessive phophoryn discharge from the eyes and nose, along with a rattly/wheezy/bubbly noise in the chest. Please take your rat to the vet ASAP to arrange a course of antibiotics if your rats shows these symptoms.
Elderly rats (especially males) are prone to a degenerative condition which primarily effects their ability to use their back legs. The initial symptoms are walking 'flat-footed' with their back feet and slight dragging of the tail. As this progresses, they will gradually lose the use of their back legs, relying on their front paws to drag themselves around. Eventually total paralysis can result and often at this stage it is necessary to have the rat put down. Rats are amazing at adapting to this condition though, and can still lead very happy lives.
Treatment for this condition includes anti-inflammatories such as metcam. This usually slows the progression of symptoms and gives your rat mobility for longer. Some simple cage modification will also help your rat to have a happy existance. A single level cage is best, with the hammocks lowered so they are easy to climb in and out of. Replacing bedding with fabric will also make things more comfortable, but you will need to change this 1-2 times daily as rats with this condition tend to soil their bedding more.
Unfortunately our furry rattie companions are prone to tumors. Female rats in particular often get mammory tumours. Most tumors can be removed, especially if detected early while they are still small. Mammory tumours are found in the groin area and around the armpits. Regular checks for lumps in these areas is encouraged, especially in females 18 mths and older. Male rats do not have any mammary glands, so do not suffer from these types of tumours
Both male and female rats can also get pituatry tumors, which given their location in the brain are inoperable. Symptoms of a brain tumor include a change in personality, loss of coordination and not being able to grip things properly in their front paws. A treatment of steroids can often help the progression of the symptoms, but eventually a pituitary tumour will be fatal.
Tumours are one of the hardest illnesses to witness in your rat, and you must judge what their quality of life is as they progress. When your rat is no longer enjoying life, it is time to give them the final gift of an easy passing. Check with your vet on their methods of euthanasia - most vets will allow you to be with your rats during their final moments.
An abcess is a simple infection under the skin, noticed as an unusual lump. This often feels firm to touch and causes discomfort to the rat. A wall forms around the infection, causing it to be sealed off from the rest of the surrounding tissue. Rats that have been in a fight or have been through surgery often develop abcesses in the exposed region of skin. Simple examination with a needle by your vet can confirm whether a lump is an abcess or not.
Treatment involves a course of antibiotics (baytril or similar) to fight the infection and the abcess needs to be drained. Sometimes drainage will happen naturally with the help of antibiotics and a warm compress applied to the region daily. Otherwise it will be necessary for a vet to lance the abcess and drain it under sedation. After the abcess has been drained, it is best to keep the site open and wash daily with a saline solution to kill any remaining bacteria. If this is not done, then occasionally the abcess can 'wall' itself up again and the infection return.
Just as the name suggests, sometimes a sick rat will develop a head tilt - where the head twists sideways. Often this is accompanied by poor coordination, tumbling and moving in circles. Most commonly this condition is caused by an inner ear infection, though can also be the symptom of a stroke or a pituitary tumor (PT). Symptoms should gradually worsen if it is an infection, whereas if your rat has had a stroke they should appear overnight and remain constant.
Treatment: It is important to treat head tilts quickly or the symptoms can become permanent. A course of steroids accompanied by antibiotics is the usual treatment, and symptoms should show improvement within a week or two.