Rat chattering

Question
QUESTION: hi I got my rats last week, they're both females and pretty young still. I got them at a pet store not a breeder so I don't know that much about them but ever since I got them the larger one chatters CONSTANTLY. But she doesn't seem that scared/nervous. The other one is way more nervous and shy, she jumps whenever I get near but the one that chatters acts really normal. She takes food from my hands and isn't afraid to approach my hands when I stick them in the cage. So i have no idea why she's chattering and I'm worried that it could be a respiratory infection.

I live in Canada, if I tell you which city I live in, would you know any vets to recommend taking her to if I need to?

ANSWER: The only noise rats should make that is healthy sounding would be bruxing, and that is when they grind their teeth together.  Some of my readers describe the odd sounds related to respiratory infection almost like a "whee whee whee" sound or a guinea pig sound.  It may sound congested too.   You can look up on YOU TUBE about rat sounds such as rat respiratory sounds etc.....or rat bruxing and see if this is what you hear.   Read up on my critter city site about teaching a shy rat how to trust you. Here is the URL.  Also, let me know your location and I can suggest some vets for your new ratties.  

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

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

QUESTION: Hi again thanks for replying so soon!Anyways I took my rat to the vet (I live in Victoria BC if you know any good vet's to reccommend that would be great!) and she told me that my rat has a common flu virus. She said she definitely heard a little wheezing when my rat breathes otherwise she's well hydrated. The days have gone by and my rat still hasn't stopped squeaking, but not she is completely unafraid of me and likes playing with my fingers. BUT When I lie in bed a night she makes new squeaking sounds, just tonight she made some high pitched squeaking sounds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-tieFxbu34&feature=related

The sounds the rat makes in this video is similar to the one mine does, but it did that like 4 days ago and doesn't make those wheezing sounds anymore. It just squeaks. Should I be really concerned?

Answer

There is no such thing as a "rat flu"  Rats do NOT get the flu.  ::sighs::


Your rat and the rat in the video have mycoplasmosis.

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

Please check out my website and read about mycoplasmosis and the respiratory infection it can cause.  Long term, it can cause damage to the lungs so it needs treated properly which means baytril for 30 days and if the rat becomes sick for the second time it needs treated once a day with baytril for the rest of his life.  

How long was your rat on meds, and what was she given?  Is she eating and drinking ok?