I am reading a lot of conflicting advice online some places say that with treatment a rat can be cured but other places say that treatment only makes them comfortable and not cured

Also reading to keep the cage in draft free place and keeping it clean (which I do anyway) and not to use sawdust etc.

Three of mine are showing signs, nasal discharge and wheezy breath and sneezing.

Vet has given a course of antibiotics which I am having to put onto tasty food as they bite me if I try and syringe it into their mouth. (also after some reading rats may need to be on for life as symptoms come back after the course of treatment?)


Two of the rats are over a year and one is about 6 months, they are all 'pets at home' rats (I didn't buy them I have rehomed them) and more reading tells me that if you get a bad strain of rat its not likely to live much longer than a year?!

My first rat died from this, he was nearly 4 and started showing signs when I moved back to my mums and he went from a 90% free range to 100% caged as mum refused him in the house. It was horrible it came on suddenly (or, he just hadnt been showing visible signs) as soon as I noticed the nasal dishcharge I called the vet but he died while I was waiting for a lift to the vets. Has anyone any advice to make sure my ratties are happy as possible? They aren't showing signs of weight loss or lethargy they are eating playing and drinking as normal.

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I've had rats with respiratory infections. If they're caught early enough then yes, they can be treated with antibiotics. If they're ongoing they can cause lung scarring. In cases like this then the rat might need ongoing treatment to keep them comfortable.

Also, the main cause of respiratory infections in rats is the mycoplasma bacteria. All rats have this, which is why they are so prone to respiratory problems.

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Cara,
Owned by Fern, Heidi, Asteroid, Bubbles & Fizz
Missing Snippet, Frost, Willow & Nix


Opinions are like armpits. Everyone has them, and some stink.

I have 3 boys at the moment have the snuffles all have been treated but need to go back, My pet shop boy ironhide has scaring on his lungs and always sounds bad but you can tell when its hitting him hard and he needs treatment it has a different sound to it.

I do think pet shop ones are more likely to get it i think its just poor breeding, My vets wont put them on it for life i dont think only as and when they need it. But i did read somewhere that people were given rats who had always had it childrens cough medicine when they first start showing signs. Im not sure if i would try this tho as id be scared it would hurt them

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Owner to-
lots of rodents
2 monster dogs
1 slinky cat

Thanks, I shall keep on with the antibiotics and hopefully, they will be ok I have only had the older rats for a month or so and no idea whether they had it before they came to me or not.
Some days they seem more sneezy and snuffly than others, I don't like to hear it

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What antibiotics are they on a nd how much do they get a day? If you find one AB doesn't work on it's own then it can be combined with another. Baytril and Doxycycline (sp?) is a combo that I know if good for treating resp infections.

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Cara,
Owned by Fern, Heidi, Asteroid, Bubbles & Fizz
Missing Snippet, Frost, Willow & Nix


Opinions are like armpits. Everyone has them, and some stink.

My understanding of resp diseases in mice and rats after speaking to my vet is that they will go into remission but will in many cases never be totally cured - it is treatable as opposed to curable. The disease will pop up again if they are stressed or become ill and I've certainly noticed that in my mice. I hope that they start improving soon PoisonGirl

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Run free my beautiful rainbow babies. I love you.