Red discharge from lack of interaction?

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I have my rat for about a month now. She has not had any red discharge until recently. The problem is that we changed several factors at the same time so i'm not sure what's causing it. 1. We just got our rats a new ferret cage and we've been cleaning the plastic shelves with a 50/50 mixture of water and vinegar and every week we clean everything with bleach. 2. Now that i'm back in school I have not been playing with her as much or as often as I was (I was playing with her for about 1 hour almost everyday now I've been playing with her for 30-1 hour about 2-3 times a week. She eats normal and when I take her out she is very very active. I was just wondering if either the vinegar, bleach, or lack of interaction could be causing this red discharge (it is not very much just a little around her nose and 1 eye). Thanks.

ANSWER: Hi Chris

Usually the red mucus (porphyrin) is an indication of severe stress or illness, especially if it is involving both the nose and eyes, even just one eye.

She should be out at least every day, even for 20 minutes. Does she have a cagemate to keep her company?

Is she eating and drinking, grooming and still shows interest in treats etc??


As for using bleach, as long as it is rinsed super good, it should not be a problem, but normal soapy hot water is fine to use too instead of bleach unless  you have had a problem with parasites or illness.

The vinegar and water is fine too (I use that) but I make it pretty dilute. I also have them litter trained so the urine is isolated to the litter box although I find a puddle here and there of urine if one boy gets lazy.  LOL

Also, is she sneezing?

You can do a good exam on her yourself weekly too, esp to check for lumps, and also check her teeth to be sure they are properly aligned.

Again, porphyrin is produced by a gland behind the rats eyes, the harderian gland, and when they are stressed out, especially from illness, they produce more than usual and it comes out their eyes and nose.  

Let me know the few things I asked so we can be sure she isnt coming down with a little infection or if she is just really bummed from missing her time out with you, which is not unheard of either. Rats love routine and when it gets changed that messes up their routine they come to depend on which in turn can cause stress as well.


Hang in there

Sandra

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

QUESTION: She has a double rex cagemate. And she eats and drinks regularly. She always has to groom herself especially after I handle her. She also loves her cereal treats. She does sneez usually as soon as I take her out of the cage and when she is sniffing around. Thanks.

Answer
I LOVE double rex rats!  I had the most unusual one before (check out my website, WHAT IS A FUGS) this rat used to molt and look like a brand new rat every few weeks. He was amazing!

The sneezing is pretty common when you take the rat out because she is sniffing up lint, fuzz and Lord knows what else when she is out and about, so sneezing during this time is pretty common.

I have studied rat behavior extensively (they are so fascinating it is hard to stop reading about them) if there were such a thing as a
Rat Psychologist, I would fit the bill.  LOL
Here is what I see is the problem with your girl:

Rats are often obsessive compulsive and love routine. Some rats do not like their routine broken and some rats do not like to have their "belongings" moved around, like for example, if you move the food dish and water bottle, it may actually upset the rat. Mess up her nest? Look out!!  Sometimes these rats get stressed from moving to a new cage and if their normal routine is changed, they stress also.
The fact she has moved to a new cage plus doesnt see you as much is probably stressing her a bit.  Her obsessive compulsive ways showed up as soon as you said she grooms herself after you hold her.
This is very OCD. The little princess wanted every piece of her fur back in place!!

If you can find time to take them out for 20 minutes daily, this may help....and as long as she has a cagemate, that is important too so she should be ok as long as she gets another routine formed.

However, if she gets worse (the porphyrin discharge) or starts sneezing alot, stops eating, etc... she needs a vet right away. If you need the names of a good rat vet, let me know your  zip code and I can find one for you.

hang in there

Sandra