Sudden death of a young rat

Question
QUESTION: My friend has had two female rats for about a month now, and I figure that they are somewhere between 2 and 3 months of age. Unfortunately, they're pet store rats. Their names are Layla and Catti-Brie (Bri). Layla has recently stopped eating, her activity level is down, and she is getting skinny. I had a similar problem with my rat when she was about 5 months old, which was cleared up with Baytril and Doxycycline. However, Bri was acting perfectly fine, and seemed healthy, though I did notice a little of the porphyrin around one of her eyes. I saw her just two days ago, and she was acting healthy and normal, as she was last night. My friend arrived home today to find her dead, laying down as if she were asleep. Her right back foot was sticking out behind her, which I don't normally see my rats do when they're asleep. Her death was sudden, unexpected, and I'm clueless as to what could have happened to her. What are some possible reasons for her death?

ANSWER: Hi Megan

There are so many reasons for sudden death in rats that young its impossible to really say.  How fast would you say it took her from the time she stopped eating and became lethargic to her death?  
Did she stop urinating and passing stools? Did she stop drinking?

With infection such as strep pneumonia (you dont usually see signs of typical respiratory infection in some cases of strep pneumonia) they can die within 12 hours of being stricken. Sometimes if the rat is taken to the Vet and aggressive treatment is started using antibiotics etc...this may prolong their life a few days and this is when they begin to show signs of respiratory illness, but in a rat that young, strep pneumonia is usually a losing battle.

Cardiac problems (in this case it would be congenital) are also a possible cause, but this depends on how long her symptoms were showing.

Sometimes the weight loss is loss of fluids due to dehydration.

Brain abscesses are also common, which can cause the rat to become lethargic and unresponsive for up to 24 to 48 hours before passing.

If I knew how long she was showing these signs of illness I may be able to give you a better answer but it is still not a guarantee without a necropsy since there can be several reasons for her death. I am sorry she lost her.  Its always so sad no matter how old they are or how long we own them.

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

QUESTION: Ah, Maybe I should have been clearer with the names.. The healthy baby was the one that died suddenly, and the sick baby is still alive, which is why the death is so puzzling. We're working to try to make the sick baby better before she gets any worse, as my friend can not currently afford a vet visit. Is there any kind of OTC antibiotic that is safe for rats, and a way to know the correct dosage?

Answer
My mistake, sorry. I read it backwards and thought the sick rat died.

Either way though, sudden death in a rat that seemingly appears healthy could be caused by many factors as stated above such as cardiac problems that were probably there since birth.  As stated before, it could also have been a blood clot to the brain or anything that would cause sudden and unexplained death.

I am afraid that the baby rat needs to see a vet because there is no OTC antibiotic medications that can help. Many people have the misconception that they can buy fish antibiotics sold in pet stores and add it to the rats water and that it could combat infection that the rat may have, but its just a waste of time and money.  If the baby (Layla) indeed has mycoplasmosis, she needs zithromax and doxycycline or even baytril if the myco is bad enough and also a strong antibiotic for a secondary infection.

Its important to get Layla to eat to keep her strength up. Offer baby foods, rats usually love it. Pedialyte is a good thing to use to keep her hydrated too.

If you need a vet for her, let me know. Many vets say they wont make payment arrangements but if its a matter of life or death most vets will allow a payment arrangement.   Its pretty impossible to own pets, especially rats, and avoid a vet during their life.  As you know, they do get sick and need to see a vet, often at the worst time for us financially...thats always the way it goes.  Perhaps your friend can ask a family member for a small loan?  
With Layla being so tiny and fragile, I am afraid her recovery will be very hard  without proper medication!  Please let me know how else I
can help you.

REVISED


I would really try to convince your friend to refrain from obtaining new rats until he or she is financially able to handle their vet bills.  A breeder usually insists that you provide vet care when needed as well.  Even a well bred rat may have health problems that cannot be controlled through breeding.  Myco is one of them. ALl rats are born with myco nd there are contributing factors that can trigger its outbreak. A vet needs to be seen when this first occurs to keep the infection under control.  I would encourage him to start a special savings account just for rat care. This way, he would not have to feel bad for not having the extra money for a vet and the little rat has a change to recover.   Hope this helps.