New rats sneezing

Question
QUESTION: I just brought home to girls from the pets store. One of them is fine, and the other seems fine other than sneezing.. She eats and drinks fine and there isn't any congestion yet. She just sneezes alot. Should i take her to a vet right away or just keep an eye on her? thanks

ANSWER: I just answered someone with the same questions as you. I hear this so much: New rat sneezing like crazy with no other signs of illness.  Some experts insist a sneezing rat is a sick rat, but to be realistic, everyone sneezes, man and beast.  What research is showing (mine included) is that new rats have alot to get used to in their new home. Some rats are more high strung than others and react to stimuli differently. Some rats have a tendency to get overly anxious and thus in  turn, their histamine levels rise to the point they suffer from allergy type symptoms such as sneezing.

Early mycoplasmosis signs start with sniffles, sneezing, eye squinting, porphyrin discharge (the reddish brown mucus found around the nose and eyes) fur appears puffed or rough, any respirations that are audible, often described as a monkey or a strange clicking or chirping. Lack of appetite, lethargy.

That said, it could very well be her adjusting to the change. My advice to you would be keep an eye on her but if you truly dont feel comfortable with that, take her in for a check up. Be sure the vet is an exotics vet and not a vet that sees exotics. Big difference.


Happy Holidays!!!!!!

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QUESTION: Happy Holidays to you as well and thank you for responding so soon.. Also I wanted to ask, My girls are so very sweet and they came from a large chain pet store.. everyone says not to buy from a pet store, should i expect behavior changes? I mean they already seem like they like me and my step daughter alot.. I don't want that to change. Especially this being mine and hers first experience with pet rats..  Well thanks and hope you have a very merry Christmas!  

Answer
Hi

Usually pet store rats come from a breeder mill that breeds dozens of rats and they do not keep proper records of these rats, not knowing their history as far as health or temperament goes. They are supposed to be handled from the day they are born in order to be properly socialized, but a big breeder mill like that cannot possibly do this with all the babies they have to deal with at once which is why they end up so spooked by us.

However, if your girls are trusting you now, its all good from here, so no worries. It takes time for them to trust us so just be patient. Check out my website on trust training rats and how to approach new rats etc... so you dont spook them.

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