Pneumonia
Rats are susceptible to pneumonia caused by a respiratory infection, Mycoplasma pulmonis. It can be caught from infected rats and mice and no symptoms are evident until the infection has become well established and changes to the tissue have occurred. Symptoms at this stage include rattling or noisy breathing, nasal discharge and sneezing.
Antibiotics can temporarily help alleviate the infection, but rats will always be left with what is commonly known as ‘the snuffles’. The cages of rats with respiratory infections should be cleaned out more regularly as high levels of ammonia can make the condition worse, and it is important to use dust-free bedding.
