Rat wont stop squeaking?

[Horsewell]

I had a rats all my life, and never had a problem with them, but recently my current rat, Cleo, wont stop sqeaking, its constent, she will squeak when in her cage, or on me, or in her rat ball. She doesnt appear to be in any discomfort and is eating/drinking fine. Has anyone else had a problem like this?

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Have you tried Googling "pet rats" or something similar to see if a rat website might explain a reason for the constant squeeking... That's what I would do anyway.

 

[RachelFromTheBlackLagoon]

Hold your ear to her chest. Is it squeaky breathing? Do you hear rattling? Rats squeak when they sneeze. Are these sneezes? If any of the above, I'd bring her into the vet ASAP and have them put her on baytril and doxycycline. Respiratory illness in rats is a fast, hard killer so you don't want to wait this out.

 

[Buff Hooligans]

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Good advice Rachel!

 

[Horsewell]

it sounds like shes squeaking every time she breathes, and after talking to my brother (who spends most of his time in the same room as her) she used to only do this at night, but recently shes started doing it during the day aswell

 

[RachelFromTheBlackLagoon]

Thanks, Buff!

Horsewell, do you have an exotics vet near you? Or one that will at least see rats? She definitely needs antibiotics soon. I know I say this in every pet rat thread on BYC but I'll say it again...rats can go from sneezing to pneumonia to death in a matter of days. It's best to start them on antibiotics at the first sign of respiratory distress. The baytril/doxy combo is pretty darn good at kicking respiratory illness in the bum! An exotics vet who deals with rats regularly will probably prescribe these meds readily. A vet who doesn't deal with rats often will probably start her on a weak antibiotic....waste of precious time.

 

[Horsewell]

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Ok thanks

I'm taking my rabbit to the vet tomorrow to get her teeth cut down (AGAIN!!) so ill see if they will see her aswell. Thank you!

 

[RachelFromTheBlackLagoon]

No prob! Please update if you think of it! Good luck!