Vet for Rat Think He May Have A Cold Or Something

Question
QUESTION: Ok I ahve asked a few pet stores and no one seems to know of a vet that can accept rats so I need to try and find one ASAp any suggestions? My rat when I came home last night he was just laying in his cage I thought he was dead at 1st but I forced some water in him and he seemed to be ok last night but then this morning he was making these funny noises with his mouth open like he was having trouble breathing so I don't really know whats wrong with him and this is the 1st I've noticed anything to be wrong with him. Need Help ASAp

ANSWER: Hi Destiny


Rats dont catch the cold virus...he has a respiratory tract infection and he is suffering from respiratory distress.  He needs to be seen right away by an exotic vet.  Let me know your zip code and I will find one for you but you may need to drive out a bit, perhaps a 30 minute or more drive, but if your rat is breathing with his mouth open, that is gasping and that is not a good thing.  The noises your hearing may be wheezing/coughing.  So gasping and wheezing and being lethargic to the point he doesnt feel like moving, he is pretty sick.

Continue to push fluids best you can. Offer him watermelon (crushed) or better yet, get a syringe or dropper and suck up the watermelon juice and put the syringe to the side of his mouth to give it to him so he doesnt choke.  Also you can offer sugar water, even koolaid, it doesnt matter at this point, as long as he is getting fluids in him.

Anyhow, let me know your zip code and I will find you a Vet asap...he needs seen today!

hang in there

Sandra

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

QUESTION: My zipcode is 68108

Answer
Dr. Micah Kohles
Nebraska Animal Medical Center    Exotic Pets Seen:
5720 Old Cheney
Lincoln NE 68506
Phone:    402-423-9100


This is probably about an hour from you. There are only two certified exotic vets in the state, which is so sad. We need more vets to care for our rats the right way! This is worth the drive in order to get her the best care and save her life, however. You can put her in a cat carrier with a box inside and some soft fleece or just paper towels in the little box and make a hide out for her while she is in the carrier and of course bring her water bottle and hang it for her and off you go to the vets. My vet is about 45 minutes from me on a good day, during heavy traffic, much longer. I live in Charlotte NC so imagine the heavy traffic for most of the day on the highway, esp during rush hour?  Yikes!

I will continue to search for a traditional vet that sees rats in your area but I usually dont feel comfortable with that since many of them dont have the proper implements to properly treat them.

Hope this helps....let me know how it all goes.
Good luck!

Sandra