seal noise

Question
I have a rat that is probably a year old.  I just started noticeing her making a noice that sounds like a seal. Not all the time, but every once and awhile. Is this normal or is this a bad sound? I am planning on taking her to the vet monday. I have just never heard them make this sound before.

Answer
Hi Diana

Thats a good description...I always look for ways to describe congestion etc...and a barking seal is a good way to describe it.  Your little rat probably has a respiratory infection due to mycoplasmosis, or possibly a secondary respiratory infection from myco.  

If the vet your seeing is educated in rat care, they will know to use baytril for mycoplasmosis since it is one of the few drugs that will work on the organism since it lacks a cell wall and baytril will work on bacteria that lacks a cell wall. A back up drug such as cefa drops will also help, so your barking seal rattie should be good as new in no time!