Rat coughing

[ironpython]

I just picked up a male rat from someone and I think height be sick or something. He keeps making squeaky noises like he's sneezing or coughing. Can rats catch colds? If so is there some medicine I can give him?
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[SlitherinSisters]

They can, and there is a 24 hour flu that is fairly popular and kills them in no time. Or at least I think that's what their flu is called. Or it could be something as harmless has respiratory irritation from dusty bedding. I would keep him far away from your rat colony until you know.

[satomi325]

If he does have a minor respiratory infection, you can treat him with Tetracycline. This is an easy, low cost, and safe way to treat RI without having to go to the Vet. However, it won't cure advanced stage RI.
You can find Tetracycline powder in the fish section of any big box pet store.
One box contains about 10 packets of 500mg of powder and cost about $12.

One packet mixed with water can be used in a 16 qt water bottle. You would need to refill and change it daily.
It takes about ~2-3 weeks for the rat to fully recover from RI.

[ironpython]

He doesn't seem to be doing it today. The guy I got him from gave me two of them and the other one hasn't done it at all and he doesn't have a runny nose or anything. The guy gave me some bedding he uses and its some kind of recycled paper stuff called care fresh and I use aspen I think he might have been sneezing from the aspen.

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[snakesRkewl]

probably sneezing from care fresh, that stuff is no good for rats imo

[MrLang]

One packet mixed with water can be used in a 16 qt water bottle. You would need to refill and change it daily.

That's 4 gallons. Is that what you meant? I have a sneezy one too.

[satomi325]

That's 4 gallons. Is that what you meant? I have a sneezy one too.

Whoops. I meant 16 oz. Thanks for clarifying.

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[ironpython]

I had him in with some of my rats but just seperated them just in case. Should I start treating them now before they show symptoms.

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