Sniffling Young Rat

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I have a rat that is approximately 2 months of age. I've had him for about 10 days, he sniffled a little when I got him, but the sniffling was just a little more than my other rat's sniffling(like when he'd get into something dusty). He has been up and down with his sniffling/sneezing, on a wet day(raining outside) I brought him to work and his breathing got bubbly and his sneezing got bad and it sounded as though he was very congested. When we got home he sounded normal again with a little sneezing, I thought maybe an allergy to something in my store. A couple of days later it was wet out again and his breathing problem flared up. He had semi-bad sniffling up until yesterday when he has sniffled very little. He went to the vets today and he was put on Baytril for 10 days, he wasnt diagnosed with any real condition except that he may be getting a respiratory infection and hes being put on the meds to prevent it from getting worse and to prevent pneumonia. I was also told I might have to put him on meds on and off if it flares up again. Other than his sneezing/sniffling he seems to be a happy rat with no appetite problem (he gladly takes Cherrios). Im just wondering if I took the right approach for this and caught it in time, I've only owned rats for about 8mths.

ANSWER: Hi

Sounds like he has mycoplasmosis which is common in rats. The treatment is right but it should be for much longer than 10 days. He should be on it for at least 21 to 30 days. Unfortunately this is something rats are born with and once it flares up, it can come back and get worse with each relapse which is why the rat must be on the medications longer than
10 days, so it can kill the organism.

Also, keep in mind that dusty cages, urine build up etc...can trigger mycoplasmosis. Damp cool weather and drafts can also add to it as well. Keeping the rat warm and draft free with low dust litter and no pine, cedar or corn cob litter should be avoided. You did a good job getting your baby rat to the vets as soon as you did.

Please read my website and the page on mycoplasmosis so you can get a better understanding of how it acts with our ratties.

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

Hope this helps

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

QUESTION: Alright I'll see if the doctors will give me another dosage of Baytril when I go back for a checkup. How will I notice if my rat is getting better or that the meds are working? He had a little bit of the monkey noises this morning that only lasted for about 10 min. But since then he has sneezed very little today.

Answer
It sounds like he is improving already.  The monkey noises...that is what I call them, too! Exactly!!  Either that or a weird owl "hooing"

Sometimes the sneezing will clear that up which shows that it is congestion more in the nasal passages more than anything...which is better than in the lungs!