Mycoplasma pulmonis + bp

[jdmls88]

ok so my bp is in shed and wouldnt take the rat I had for her last thursday. Ive been feeding and keeping the rat waiting for her to finish shedding. Only problem is i noticed the rat acting funny, i happened to stumble accross the symptoms for Mycoplasma pulmonis and have concluded i think the rat has it. Now my question is, is the rat still safe to feed to the snake?

[Repti-Rob]

Mycoplasma pulmonis: a commensal species specific organism carried by nearly all pet rats, and which colonizes the luminal surface of the respiratory epithelium. from : http://ratguide.com/health/bacteria/...oplasmosis.php


So it sounds like they all have it to some degree

[jdmls88]

yes but is safe to feed?

[Repti-Rob]

It depends what the rat is infected with and if that specific bacteria/virus is transmissible to reptiles. For example: Mycoplasma pulmonis is a bacteria that lives naturally in the respiratory systems of rats and mice, however, when individuals become stressed the Mycoplasma overpopulate causing an upper respiratory infection. Mycoplasma pulmonis is specific to rats and mice -- rabbits, humans, snakes, etc. are not affected. So if a snake ate a rat with a Mycoplasma infection the snake would not get sick.

[Repti-Rob]

That doesn't mean that feeding sick rodents to reptiles is an acceptable practice. Remember, you are what you eat. I could eat a rotten apple and the apple wouldn't give me any diseases, however, that doesn't mean that I'm receiving good nutrition.

[jdmls88]

That doesn't mean that feeding sick rodents to reptiles is an acceptable practice. Remember, you are what you eat. I could eat a rotten apple and the apple wouldn't give me any diseases, however, that doesn't mean that I'm receiving good nutrition.

in no means would i feed a sickly animal to my snakes, this rat has the sniffles/cough and is very inactive. Other than that looks mighty healthy, eating fine, and is clean.

[Repti-Rob]

Sorry didn't mean you! But as long as the rat is not half dead with gange-green and looks healthy enough I would say Down the Hatch!

[jdmls88]

Sorry didn't mean you! But as long as the rat is not half dead with gange-green and looks healthy enough I would say Down the Hatch!

lol my bad i thought you were trying to call me out on feeding a sick rat. I know what you mean tho.

[Repti-Rob]

no sweat "meant as a disclaimer C>Y>A> cover your a#*"
I could see a kid telling me I told him to feed his snake dead diseased rats lol!

[jdmls88]

hahaha wait.... I should feed my snake diseased rotting rats??? j/k