Rat noises

Question
QUESTION: My rat is a little over a year old. When i woke him up and picked him up on a very hot day to dip him in some cool water to cool him down he started making cooing noises kind of like a Guinea pig. but he still was alert and nuzzling me me like he always does. and it is the first time I have ever heard the noise. Should i be concerned?

ANSWER: Yes, this is caused by a respiratory infection.  You hit the nail on the head by describing the sound like a guinea pig.  I always say that too when trying to describe to readers on here what it sounds like when their rat is congested from a respiratory infection.

He needs antibiotics to recover and must see a good vet that knows about exotics. If you need help finding one please let me know your location and I will happily give you names.

Also, for more info, read up on my critter city site about Mycoplasmosis, which is a common bacteria all rodents are born with that causes infection in our rats. Its a good idea that every rat owner must be very aware of it in order to ensure your rat lives a long and happy and healthy life.

http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/mycoplasmosispage.htm

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Sandra,

Thanks for the answer. and We do need help finding a vet. I live in Fountain Valley California 92708 which is inside of Orange county California. If you have heard of the OC Fair we are in that general area. We have two younger rats that we will probably take in as well. How much does it generally cost to bring in 3 rats and get them antibiotics. and I am reading your page it is very helpful thank you. One more question how long do rats generally have to live on antibiotics for Mycoplasmosis? they are very dear to our family and we cant bare to see them go. Thank you for your time.

Answer
You are  in luck!  You have access to one of the BEST Clinics for rats, ever!

Here is the info:

Westminster Veterinary Group  
6621 Westminster Blvd.
Westminster CA 92683
Phone:    714-899-1100
Website: www.westminsterveterinarygroup.com

In fact, check out a recent reader that contacted me about a very serious conditon. I sent her there to Westminster looking for Dr. Tia Greenberg, but since she had another vet who was just as good, I no longer isolate it to just Dr.Greenberg. ALL of the vets there are top notch when it comes to rats.

As for myco, the first attack they should stay on the medication for at least 30 days with some experts now going for a full 6 weeks. After that, usually once the rat shows that he or she is going to be a chronic sufferer of myco related respiratory infections, they would put on it for the rest of their lives, getting a daily dose.  The choices are limited when it comes to dealing with myco since its an organism that lacks a cell wall.  Normally, antibiotics attack and destroy the cell wall of bacteria  but with myco, there is no cell wall so the antibiotic must be able to attack the cell itself. Few antibiotics are able to do this with baytril being one of them.

Please let me know how things are and if your too far from the clinic I gave you and I can find another one instead.