Rat care help needed (gagging rat)

Factual Questions
1

Hello, to all…

Mrs H's pet rat seems to be choking on something. Able to breathe, and active, but every minute or two she stops what she's doing to gag/choke a little foam. It's pretty disturbing; we're calling a vet, but as it's a holiday i don't expect to get through. Any advice?
2

The news does not look good. Sorry. :frowning: I used to have a pet rat; I feel your pain. They’re such little critters, and so hard to help.

http://www.rmca.org/Articles/myco.htm
http://www.rmca.org/Articles/respir.htm

3

Thanks, **DDG[/b}… We got her to a vet, and have her on antibiotics. She’s clearly ill, and it does look like a tough time. We’ll see…

4

So glad you’ve got her on meds. Sounds like a respiratory infection. Because rats can’t cough, and because of mycoplasmosis, they are very prone to respiratory infections. My rats have seen their share of them too.

Chocolate can help relieve some respiratory distress in rats. You can give her a chocolate chip, or if she has trouble eating, you can melt one and dab it on the back of your hand, and let her lick it off. I gave my rats a choco chip once every couple days when they were sick and it seemed to relieve the wheezing somewhat. And they were quite happy to get such a special treat as well. :slight_smile:

Hope she gets better soon! Let us know.

5

OK, a few days on antibiotics, and now she’s leaping out if the tank and onto us. I can’t remember when she’s been this frisky, maybe she’s been sick for a while…

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

6

Yay! Happy rat! I’m glad things have worked out so far. :slight_smile:

7

Glad to hear your rattie’s feeling better. :slight_smile: