Rats dying

I had something go through my colony when I first started that killed 13 of my 15 rats within two days. I spoke with someone that ran a rat rescue and she called it the 24 hour flu, I'm not sure if that's what it really was, but I assume she was right. I always quarantine new rats for several weeks before slowly introducing them to my established colony.

Sounds like they could have come with a URI. Quarantine new mama for sure. I had two male mice at one point and it took them within two days.

Alright. I hope he lets me have one. Idk how he is about selling his breeder females. I've been pulling open the door to the room that they're in and letting fresh air from outside in. If anymore die would it be safe to freeze them and feed them off later after they have been frozen solid? I went ahead and chucked the three that have already died cause I didn't know the cause but now it's looking like URI. And I didn't mention that one of them was from a different tub as the other two.

I have hundreds of rats that breed for me and I promise, trying to keep a rat completely healthy is near impossible. Every rat is born with a disease (I apologize for not remembering the name of it right now). If you notice, even since birth, every rat that is ever born will always "sneeze." You could keep a rat on paper towels and completely away from any dust or air born bacteria, and it will in fact, still "sneeze." That is due to the disease that every rat is born with. Now when you get into larger amounts of rats, you'll have multiple rats die every week. Its sad, and never fun to throw them away, but its the truth. You could have them in the perfect conditions, always fed, always watered, n they're always going to die. For no apparent reason 90% of the time. Its just the ways things are when it comes to rats.

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Originally Posted by Southern_Breeder

I have hundreds of rats that breed for me and I promise, trying to keep a rat completely healthy is near impossible. Every rat is born with a disease (I apologize for not remembering the name of it right now). If you notice, even since birth, every rat that is ever born will always "sneeze." You could keep a rat on paper towels and completely away from any dust or air born bacteria, and it will in fact, still "sneeze." That is due to the disease that every rat is born with. Now when you get into larger amounts of rats, you'll have multiple rats die every week. Its sad, and never fun to throw them away, but its the truth. You could have them in the perfect conditions, always fed, always watered, n they're always going to die. For no apparent reason 90% of the time. Its just the ways things are when it comes to rats.

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That makes me feel a little better. I've had rats for a few months but they haven't bred yet. Then when I got some that were actually breeding they keep dying on me. I'm just worried about her 11 pups. Could the stress of moving them cause these flare ups?

Boost the protein your rats consume. Rats will eat the babies if they don't have enough protein in there diet. Something as simple as a piece of meat could keep them healthier and the mother may have died from mil nutrition after birth. Takes a lot of energy to bit rat pups. Fruits, grains, rat pellets, and meat is what my rats get. More grains than anything. Fruit and meat twice a week.

More meat if they are pregnant or nursing. Other protein could suffice. Soy beans, nuts..

Sounds like a Respiratory infection. Overcrowded enclosures, poor ventilation, ammonia buildup, and even stress will cause it.
And always quarantine new rats.

Get some Tetracycline antibiotic. You can get it in powder packets from the fish section of any pet store. It runs about $12-13 and comes in packets of 10. I do believe every packet contains 500mg. The dosage is one packet per 16oz water bottle. Change water daily or every other day. This should treat mild infections(sneezing, red noses). For severe ri, it might be a longer shot at recovery and I suggest just feeding off those individuals.

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Just use Mazuri rodent breeder...higher protein built in :)

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Originally Posted by Mephibosheth1

Just use Mazuri rodent breeder...higher protein built in :)

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X2

Yup. Its specially designed and formulated for pregnant, nursing, and growing rats.

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