[Lellen]

Hi everyone. Im Laura from Minnesota. Im pretty new to rat owning, but I'm getting better! I have a blue and white hooded female named Weeble. I've had her for about 8 months and she has turned out to be such a pal. One day my fiance and I were at a petstore and saw her sneezing with a runny nose. Realizing that it could very likely be Mycoplasma after reading up on rats, I had to have her anyway...I guess i partially wanted to save her from the petstore or something lol. The vet has said that if she does indeed have it, its probably a weak strain. Nevertheless, Weeble is still a single rat. I feel so bad that she has no rats to keep her company, but i am also afraid of spreading it to another rat.... i guess thats partially why i'm here; to learn a little more and see what i should do.

Anyway, i look forward to reading more here

 

[JennieLove]

Welcome Lellen!

Does she still have sneezes and runny nose? Did your vet give her any medication to try and clear it up?

 

[Lellen]

Her sneezes come and go; as of now she sneezes very infrequently. Its flared up a few times but never has gotten bad enough to make her eyes water/get goopy. We've helped her out with a week of antibiotics (which i cant remember the name of now) three times, but the vet hasn't seemed too concerned. I clean her cage very very often and tend keep her in a room with an air-purifier. It's really seemed to help her!

 

[JennieLove]

Sometimes cleaning the cage too often can cause lots of sniffles. Do you use any type of cleaning stuff for the cage? Im just trying to find out why she would still have any type of sneezing fit. If its not causing any watery eyes, goopyness or any red discharge and if your vet doesnt seemed concerned (does this vet have experiance with rats?) I dont see why it wouldnt be anything but normal ratty sneezes. If thats the case, I dont see a reason why Weeble couldnt have a rattie friend! If you do decide later to get your girl a new buddy dont foregt to quarantine and intoductions. There are threads about how its done, how long quarantine should last, and how to safely introduce the two. But for now I hope you learn all you can,and have fun! Dont forget to post some pictures!

 

[Inesita]

Hi, welcome!

 

[Figment]

I am only new here myself, but welcome!

*Offers some TimTams and Milo*

 

[Forensic]

If it's myco, unless she has a special strain, it's probably fine to get her a friend. All rat have myco, some rats are just more susceptible to flares.

 

[renay]

I'm going through the SAME problem with my O.P. i'm really thinking he has myco, and hes going to the vet next week, but I dont want to give a perfectly healthy rat myco to give O.P. a friend.

 

[Lellen]

I clean her cage twice a week when she gets a little sniffley and that seems to help. her vet does work with rodents as well, thats how we picked her
i'll have to read up more on how to introduce her to a new friend. from what everyone's said, it sounds like it should be okay. im excited! im also glad im not the only one wondering about this type of problem.

thanks for the welcome everyone, and thanks for the advice.

 

[mopydream44]

Hi and welcome

 

[RFAdmin]

welcome to the forum

 

[Lellen]

thanks