Little sneezing ???

[Freakie_frog]

I started breeding rats two weeks ago I have 5 so far 2 males and three females. They are in 29 gal long tanks till my rack is complete. I keep a fan going in the room for air circulation. The room temp stays between 75 and 85 degrees. They get their bedding changed every three days and fresh water every day. I have noticed that two of my rats a male in the breeding tank and a prego female in my birth tank have started to sneeze every now and then. They have never been in contact with one another I bought the female as a pregnant one. Their coats are nice and shiny and soft, no nasal discharge could this just be them sneezing from the substrate or could I have respiratory infections starting???

[lord jackel]

I started breeding rats two weeks ago I have 5 so far 2 males and three females. They are in 29 gal long tanks till my rack is complete. I keep a fan going in the room for air circulation. The room temp stays between 75 and 85 degrees. They get their bedding changed every three days and fresh water every day. I have noticed that two of my rats a male in the breeding tank and a prego female in my birth tank have started to sneeze every now and then. They have never been in contact with one another I bought the female as a pregnant one. Their coats are nice and shiny and soft, no nasal discharge could this just be them sneezing from the substrate or could I have respiratory infections starting???

It is pry nothing to worry about. Just about every new rat I get goes through a couple of weeks of sneezing as they get used to the new smells and substrate. Unless you have discharge or it becomes constant and often I wouldn't worry about it.

[frankykeno]

Rats do occasionally sneeze, especially ones just coming out of a pet store situation. As long as they are in good shape, not struggling to breath, no excessive red discharge from nose or eyes, their bedding is not overly dusty and they don't get sicker, most will shake it off quite well. Keep a good eye on them, keep them out of the general population and out of crowded conditions and just see how it goes for now. If you feel they need to see a vet, then by all means see one. In the end it'll be your call as to how they are doing.

[Sevo]

My rats sneeze as well. I notice it when i am changing the bins the most. They also will just do it from time to time while in the bins. I dont think you have anything to worry abouit. Look for discharge and increased frequency of the sneezes, then start to be concerned.

[Ginevive]

Maybe you are changing the shavings too often? Just a thought; I change mine once a week, and there Is a lot of dist that poofs up, even with the aspen there is some, though there was more when i used pine. If they are not overcrowded, I think once a week should suffice. I do "stir" the substrate every few days and could not make myself change it because it is still so clean.

[frankykeno]

I do a full clean once per week on Sundays. On Wednesdays I do a mini-clean...just scooping out any big messy areas and tossing in a few clean handfuls of bedding.

[Freakie_frog]

I do a full clean once per week on Sundays. On Wednesdays I do a mini-clean...just scooping out any big messy areas and tossing in a few clean handfuls of bedding.

See I also do a full clean on Sundays and just keep an eye on the amount of poo and all in there if it get to much I will change it out. The tank gets wiped down and every thing gets disinfected.

But it think my worst fear has come true. I noticed the one rat that is sneezing has started looking a little worse for ware. Slight discharge around the eyes and his coat is getting dull. I'll have to feed him off and hope the others don't get it. They all look good and none of them are sneezing so we'll see.

P.S momma rat has never been in with them and isn't sneezing at all so I hope I got it contained.