Is my rat ok?

Question
QUESTION: I cleaned my rats cage yesterday. I noticed it was really dusty so I vacuumed it out. My rats are in a tank not a cage and now I have heard that it isn't well circulated and I use shredded paper in my cage. I noticed it was dusty so I vacuumed it out. After I put the paper in I saw it was a little dusty but I didn't think it was a problem. This morning my rat sneezed continuously and it sounded like a squirrel but it was loud. It is scaring me. Should I get a wired cage and then use paper? Should I not use paper?


ANSWER: You should never keep rats in a tank. Ever. As it is bad for the respitory system. I too use paper, so I wouldnt think this would be the problem.

You do know that rats need to be kept in twos right?

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

QUESTION: I do have two rats and do you think that I should get a wire cage instead? I can't return the tank though. I was interested in a air filter. Is my rat ok? She is sneezing and it sounds like a squirrel. Is this normal? She didn't do this before or at least not this loud. Please help!

ANSWER: Your rat has Myco, which is a respitory infection that most petshop rats have, this is why you should always go to a breeder for rats. She will need to be on anti biotics and it may clear up, or may never. Its unfourtunate but as I said common in petshop rats.

I wouldn't use a tank, they are far too small anyway, rats need places to climb etc.  Here is some good resources for housing.

http://www.fancy-rats.co.uk/resources/webdirectory/?c=009

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

QUESTION: Well I have a giant tank it is 40 gallons. I have a tank because my mom is not fond of rats and I begged her for 4 years and she finally gave in and my mom is worried about it escaping so that is why I got a tank and I talked to many people and they didn't say anything until after I got a tank.
I adopted one of my rats and bought one at Petco. I will call Petco and see if they are like Petsmart and have a vet that you can take them to for free if it is within the fourteen days. Is this sickness really bad? Would having a tank cause my rats to get sick?
ANSWER: I told you, the rat will be on anti biotics for a long time, so needs any vet soon. The sickness makes it harder to breath, and will possibly cause an early death. A cage is much bettr, tanks cause condensation and the air dosn't circulate enough. Did you read the info on the link I sent you?

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

QUESTION: Is myco contagious? My rat went to the Petco and she is sick but I caught it in time so it isn't bad and when she gets better I get her back. I noticed while she is at the vet my other rat is more nervous around me.THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP!!!!!!!!!!!
ANSWER: No its not contagious, but it is genetic, so if your two rtas are related, then the other one probably has it too. Dont buy from petco again,  go to a breeder and avoid all of this.

Good luck

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

QUESTION: I was looking at a ferret cage but I think the bars are to big and they can get out. How can I cover it? Could I put chicken wire or would that not be a good choice.  

ANSWER: If you need any more help don't hesitate to ask.

Best wishes.  :-)

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

QUESTION: All the problems that people said they had were with chinchillas or ferrets. Do you think it is ok and will be suitable for at least 3 rats?
ANSWER: Its defo big enough. Thats for sure. That could honestly probably hold 8 rats easy. LOL  The one I linked you to could prob hold 3 or 4 fine.

Email me directly. I wont be on this site for a while.

cha.lurken@gmail.com

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

QUESTION: I went to the pet store to go see if I could bring her home and to check on her and the lady there said that for respiratory problems have a 75% to 90% chance it would come back. She also said that it was contagious. Is this true?
ANSWER: There is a strain that is contagious, but I have never seen this. We rehome rats, and have took in rats with myco, they live with my own rats, and it never spreads. I suggest you find a vet that knows what they are on about.

Here is an article about myco, print it and show it to this idiot lady.  http://groups.msn.com/RatsRatsRats/whatismyco.msnw

It's true, that most times, the infection never leaves, and they are stuck with it. Anti biotics makes it more bearable to live.

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

QUESTION: I was wondering what a strain means. Also you haven't seen what. If I brought her to the vet would that count as her yearly vet visit. The cage at petco I showed you  has too big of spacing so I want to cover it. What could I use to cover it? Will mico shorten her life span.
ANSWER: Strain is a different form. Like you get different strains of cancer, in different places, some are more severe. They are still all cancer. That is a strain, just means a type within a group.

I dont know what you mean by yearly vet visit??

You could use chicken wire.

Yes myco will shorten her life, but it's the price we pay for petshop rats. Go to a breeder next time. No probs.

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

QUESTION: I read in a book that you need to take rats have to go to the vet once a year. Do you have any idea how to attach the chicken wire. How much sorter will her life be. I have a choice for her to resell her. I LOVE HER SO MUCH! But if she is not going to live very long I don't think it would be a good idea to keep her.

Answer
Rats need to go to the vet whenever they are sick, that could be twice a month for some rats, could be never for others.
Nope, I have no clue bout the chicken wire, I am crap at DIY and the likes, doesnt your dad or brother or something kno?  A guy would know more than me I would think.
She may live out her full life, but rats can die as young as 8 months with this.

Why sell her? Why would you want to pass a sick animal onto someone else? Rats dont ever live very long anyway, 2 years max. Dont pass her on, that is supporting the illness and the problem.