Preventing Respiratory Infections in Rats

Upper respiratory infections (URI) and respiratory disease are the most common issue rats face and a leading cause of premature death in many parts of the world. While rats can be genetically predisposed to them, we as owners have control over environmental triggers. This means we can prevent them from occurring most of the time!

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Symptoms

It’s important to know how to prevent it and what to do as soon as symptoms arise. If you just got your rats less than 2 weeks ago or you just switched to a new bedding, then it is likely just “New Home Sneezes”, check out my blog on this topic for more information. If there are symptoms other than sneezing such as excess porphyrin (red discharge on eyes and nose), lethargy, not eating or drinking as usual, audible breathing noises like honking, squinted eyes, sucked in sides, puffed fur, then you must contact an exotic vet immediately.

Causes

Ammonia, dust, and stress are common causes of respiratory illness. Ammonia is the major irritant to rats, and their own urine turns into ammonia as it breaks down. We must ensure proper bedding is used and stay on top of cleaning with safe products. Only kiln-dried aspen, kiln-dried pine, hemp, and bioactive bedding properly neutralize ammonia. Just make sure to get a dust-free.

Many rats are born with Mycoplasma pulmonis bacterium which will cause flare-ups when these irritants are present. Once an initial Mycoplasma flare-up occurs, the chances for recurring infection are higher- and they become contagious to other rats.

Preventing These Irritants

•Cleaning:

Only clean rat cage items and around the cage with white vinegar and hot water 1:1 ratio. You may add a couple drops of unscented soap like pure Castile soap if you need to scrub something well. Vinegar is acidic so it can break down mineral deposits, urine, and feces. It is also a mild anti-bacterial and neutralizes smells. Since it is only a mild anti-bacterial, it is recommend to disinfect with diluted bleach water or veterinary F10 every month then rinse thoroughly after.

Do not use commercial pet cleaning products, they have harsh chemicals and fragrances. Rats noses are more sensitive than ours, so if you can smell a fragrance, it is much stronger and irritating to them. Vinegar evaporates once dry, so the smell is temporary.

Strong scents like air fresheners, laundry detergent, and scented soap can irritate their respiratory systems and cause a flare up. Remove rats from cage when cleaning with any products, even with vinegar.

Careful not to over-clean, this causes them to increase scent marking to keep their home smelling familiar. See our Stinky Rat Cage blog for more cleaning details.

•Stress:

Reduce stress by doing a proper quarantine before introducing groups of rats and respect their boundaries during the bonding process. Keep them in a quiet room if possible away from other pets like dogs, cats, your resident rats for their first 2 weeks minimum. Ensure you’re washing your hands before and after interacting with any animal. Don’t introduce any scents like air fresheners, smoke, laundry detergent, perfume, or clothes that smell like other animals in the home to your new rats.

•Genetics:

Genetically, respiratory disease can be passed in the womb or vertically from cage-mates as baby rats grow. Pinched and/or pointy noses are more likely to have respiratory problems as it’s harder for them to dispel irritants. It’s important to find a source that is breeding out respiratory disease like an ethical breeder, or find a rescue that does proper quarantines and utilizes vets to check over every rat to reduce chances of illness.

•Other Environmental Considerations:

• Prevent drafts (make sure there isn’t a ceiling fan, AC, or open window by the cage)

• Ensure humidity is between 40-60%

• Ensure temperature is between 65-80 F

• Use an air purifier by cage to draw in dust and ammonia (with the cord out of reach)

  • The best air purifiers are the ones that measure particulate matter and automatically adjust settings, with app alerts on your phone! (link below)

• Use dust-free bedding.

  • Hemp bedding is the only anti-bacterial & hypo-allergenic bedding

• Use ammonia controlling bedding so only kiln-dried aspen, kiln-dried pine, hemp, or bioactive

  
  

Products:

• GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier, Amazon

• Eaton Pet Hemp Bedding 8lb, Amazon

• Eaton Pet Hemp Bedding 33 lb, Amazon

Supplements:

• A couple drops of apple cider vinegar to their water at least once a week

• 1-2 drops of mullein leaf extract a day to bolster respiratory system

  
  

Products:

• Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar, Amazon

• Mullein Leaf Extract Alcohol-free, Amazon

Mycoplasma pulmonis

Even when we do absolutely everything right, most rats are born with Mycoplasma pulmonis bacteria and may develop recurring respiratory infections because of it. It’s more likely to recur after initial flare-up. It’s important to prevent the initial flare-up by following every step in this blog and educating ourselves on the signs of illness to start immediate antibiotics to prevent worsening symptoms.

Other Common Respiratory Diseases

Another common pathogen that can cause recurring issues is PCAR/RRV. Once they get over initial flareup they typically build immunity after treatment, but it can leave lung lesions which impact their respiratory health for the rest of their lives. It is important to do proper quarantine and follow good husbandry practices to prevent initial infection and spread.

Conclusion

It’s best to find sources of rats that actively test free of these pathogens when searching to adopt and have pristine living conditions that prevent initial flare-ups. Check out my blog on Where to Get Pet Rats to find an ethical breeder or rescue that promotes the improvement of the health of rats.

Treatment

An exotic vet can accurately diagnose and prescribe medications, this should not be your sole source of information. Treating rats with antibiotics when there is no confirmed respiratory infection due to a bacteria can cause more harm than good. This is because antibiotics kill all bacteria, even the good bacteria needed to perform essential bodily functions such as maintaining healthy a healthy digestive system. Viruses and fungal infections cannot be cured with antibiotics, and some respiratory infections are viral or fungal. Please always consult a veterinarian!

Under 6 months and/or at first sign of URI (only sniffles and porphyrin):

Amoxicillin dosage

Lower respiratory infection (pain signs, honking or wet noise when breathing), recurring respiratory infections, over 6 months, many signs of respiratory infection upper/lower:

Dual antibiotics

Enrofloxacin + Doxycycline OR

Doxycycline + Azithromycin dosage

Severe Respiratory Distress

Dexamethasone (1–2 mg/kg) steroid when given at the first signs of labored breathing in rats alongside dual antibiotics. This has saved rats from euthanasia and could give your rat a real chance at recovery, even when all hope seems lost.