our rat is sick, how can we help

Question
We have a male fancy rat, about 26 months old. He is usuallly very healthy and eats well. He eats a diet which starts with a small rodent mix and then eats some scraps from our table, ie small pieces of meat, veg, crackers. For the last week he has been losing weight, and in the last day he breathing has started to become faster and now a touch noisy. he is still moving around, but does not seem to have the vigorand strength he usually displays. He is eating and drinking, but not as much as normal for either. He has not been in contact with any other rats, but has been near a mouse. The mouse does not seem sick at all. I would like to take him to a vet, but I have a bad feeling about stressing him out. As it is Sunday, there are few vets open and it is quiet a ways to get to one that will see him today.Thank you for your time, I hope you may be able to help.

Answer
Respiratory infections come on very suddenly in rats, and what you describe sounds like one.  Fortunately, they are very treatable.  Baytril is a very good antibiotic that works wonders on rats.  A vet can prescribe capsules that you dissolve in a 16 oz water bottle.  2 treatments is usually enough.  Also, you can try using something like Vick's vapor rub, put a dab in a pan of steaming water, set it by the cage, and cover both with a towel.  Do this for 15 minutes, it helps them to breathe.  Visiting a vet isn't very stressful for a rat, they are so curious, it's more like an adventure.  I would give the vet a call, and let him know what you have discovered.  Many vets are not familiar with working on rats, as it's not that common for people to want to actually save one.haha  He should perk up after a couple days on antibiotics and a little Vick's every 4 hours.
Regards,
Jason P. Holland