new feeder rats

Question
QUESTION: I just got 2 new boys from paulmacs pet foods. and i have 1 grey and one
white. the grey one has a litle bit of squinty eyes and sneezing. no red tears
comeing out of his eyes or nose. my other one has the same thing. i can hear
their breathing, it is soft and no sounds of not being able to breathe. i just
want to no what might be causing this. it has all of the sudden started
sunday, and i got them last weekend. bye

ANSWER:          Hi Taylor

Sounds like the boys have mycoplasmosis. Even though there is no porphyrin (red tears) no all rats respond with over production of porphyrin. They will need to see a vet right away and be put on baytril for at least a full 30 days.
You can read more about it on my website here:

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

Also its vital you have a vet that understands the mechanics of mycoplasmosis or he or she will not treat your rat properly and perhaps pass this off as some allergy rather than for what it is. Feeder rats are very prone to illness since they are not bred for health and dont always have a strong immune system.

What type of litter are using?

Also, if you need a vet I can help locate one that is good for the rats. Let me know!

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

QUESTION: well they both stopped doing it. like i said there breathing passages sound clear
(as its only a soft pattern) and there eyes are clear again. i use aspen flakes. i
have another question, i read that face rubbing means that rats have a
reperatory infection? is that true?

ANSWER: No,face rubbing doesnt have anything to do with a respiratory infection.

Congestion, wheezing, excessive sneezing (all rats sneeze so some is normal) loss of appetite, lethargy, gasping, hunched posture, puffed out fur,eyes half shut, almost like little slits....these are indications of illness, most often respiratory involvement. What do you mean  by face rubbing? Dragging their face on the floor of the cage, is that what you mean?

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

QUESTION: no, none of my rats have had any of those symptoms, just sneezing everynow  
and then. and i now know, the only reason why there eyes were squinting
because i was petting over there eyes.
i mean face rubbing as getting there paws and whipping over there ears, and
eyes, and cleaning there head kind of....

Answer
Oh, ok, well wherever you read that meant respiratory infection, I will let you know that is totally false.  Face rubbing is just part of the way the rat is cleaning their face. Its actually really cute how they do it and even stick their little tongues out and lick their paws to get them wet so they can use their little paws as wash cloths.  LOL
That said, I am thinking all is well.

Have a happy holiday!