My little drooling rat

Question
QUESTION: My rat has been over-salivating BIG-TIME. Its running down her tummy. Shes leaving trails of drool everywhere and shes lethargic and lazy. She doesn't seem to be confused or have any problems with her ears. I'm not sure what her problem is, but here is an explanation of her health. She is overweight. No amount of dieting has helped this, her doctor said shes just fat and theres not much I can do. Shes very vocal, sometimes her oinking wakes me up. She loves to chew on herself and has many small wounds I constantly tend. She has had a mammary tumor removed.  For a few weeks after it was removed she didn't say a word. She started being vocal again a few days ago and thats when I noticed her new drooling problem. Whats wrong with my little rat? Please help!
Justine and Squeegee (619)564-1208

ANSWER:
Has the vet seen her for this and is this when he said nothing can be done?

The fact she has an ongoing respiratory infection makes me believe your rat has plural effusion (fluid in the lungs) and this will indeed make her drool.  She needs help right away by a vet that knows what he is doing.  This fluid needs removed at once. She needs lasix and oxygen and more aggressive antibiotics.  If this continues, her lungs can collapse and this is fatal.

How is she today?

Here is a good place for your rat in your area as per your area code.
Dr. Jeffrey Jenkins
Avian and Exotic Animal Hospital
San Diego CA 92108-1499
Phone:    619-260-1412


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

QUESTION: The vet saw her for her tumor and obesity, not this specific issue. She has never had this problem before. After I posted this I called her doc up and he told me to call sunday(today) but his office was closed  D: Then night fell and she got way better quick. She seems to drool during the day and is fine at night. She hardly drooled today, I stayed home with her all day. She will make it through the night. I will call Dr jenkins in the morning. Thank you so much, I will tell the doc what you told me.

ANSWER: Hopefully if she isnt doing it, the meds may be working and she may be improving.  Still, I would feel better having a good vet see her. Sometimes when a rat gets something lodged in their throat, since they cant vomit, they may drool alot, even foam, but if she has had this for days and its on top of a respiratory infection, its better to be safe than sorry and have her looked at.
PLEASE let me know how things are.  I would be so glad to hear back from you and hear  some good news for a change.

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

QUESTION: I do not understand if its your professional opinion that she has had an ongoing respritory infection or if you have misunderstood what I communicated about my rats health issues. It is not very clear to me. Her drooling and lethargy began on saturday. The only health issues she has had previously was a mammary tumor removal, and recent porphyrin staining around the eyes and nose. I did some research-she might have Mycoplasmosis. She seems to have all the symptoms. Her cage-mate recently passed away. She has been very stressed and lonely. It would explain why shes okay at night, her immune system is stronger. BUT I'M NOT A DOCTOR. I made an appointment, shes still somewhat okay, I will be taking her in tomorrow morning. Thank you for your corrospondence.

Answer
It is my opinion that she may have an ongoing respiratory infection. I have based this on the fact that she has the typical sounds associated with a respiratory infection often caused by mycoplasmosis pulmonis.  The fact she has porphyrin that is not only around the nose, which is more common, but involving the eyes as well, also leads me to believe she is showing signs of stress due to illness. If she lost her cagemate, stress can indeed hinder the function of the immune system and can contribute to infection.  Since rats are born with the mycoplasma bacterium, this (compromised immune system) can indeed trigger mycoplasmosis pulmonis and the drooling can be from the excess fluids in the lungs. However, without examining her, its only an opinion. I am also NOT a doctor so this is all an educated guess. Thats about the best we can do on allexperts is give our educated opinion and its usually based on assumption since we cannot do a hands on exam.  Also, if the rat seems to be ok more at night, is this when she is most active? At this point the only way to know what is wrong is of course by seeing a qualified vet, which I have given you the name of someone in your area. Please keep me posted, I am very interested in what is going on what your girl.