I've read many articles about the mycoplasma and I think my little guy has it. I know I bought him that way cuz he's always made the noises. He's probably close to 3 months but has barely grown and he is already balding. And his whole back his really red and sometimes flakes little red but doesn't look like mite or anything. M best friend has a litter mate and she I totally fine. Never makes the noises and looks healthy as can be. He also goes to a class with me sometimes twice a week and none o those rats show any signs like him. Isn't the mycoplasma contagious? He is always at his litter mates house and they play all the time so wouldn't she have it to? Also, could the skin thing be something else that I can treat?
3 month old Rex, seems to be getting sicker, any help?
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
You need to take your rat to the vet as soon as possible to be checked out. He will need antibiotic treatment for his respiratory problem, and potentially other issues as well. Does his skin look red, or is it tinted a bit orangeish? If it is orange in color, that is called buck grease. If he is producing a lot of it at his age, that can be another sign of illness.
I already made an appt for the vet I just wanna get more info before I go in so thank you. I know they are gonna put him on antibiotics but they never cure it, just help them symptoms. Being on meds his whole life will make him sick anyway. So I feel it's a catch 22. I guess I'll just have to see what the vet says. And ya it's more orange than red but the flaky things are red, the look kinda like dried blood but I have thoroughly checked him for scabs and he doesnt have any, just funny colored skin. My poor baby. Does anyone know life expectancy for him with the mycoplasma without a skin condition? I still have 7weeks of this class I need him alert and responsive for. If he's not gonna make it I need to get another rat (kept separate from him of course)
Actually most rats will be cured by a long course of antibiotics...he's young which is in his favour. ALL domestic rats have mycoplasmosis, so don't let that scare you. It all depends on the rat's immune system, if its weaker, he may have more issues with it, and gets sick easier.
the orangish colour sounds like buck grease to me as well. How do his lungs sound when you put his side to your ear (rat phone) and check both sides. Is there a possibility of him being a double rex? they range to a coat that is short and harsh, to a naked look.
Can you email a picture of him to me and I'll host and post it for the others?
[email protected]
I will send you some pics.
He hasn't been sleeping. I was wide awake last night so I watched and listened to him. He would fall asleep start wheezing then eventually let out a squeal, sneeze, noise and jump up. He did this all night and he's been doing it today too.
It's good to hear they can be cured cuz EVERYTHING I read said they can't.
I looked up buck grease and it looks like that's what it is and found some remedies to help clear that up.
Let me get those pics to you, he was absolutely adorable when I first got him so I'll send those and I'll take a new one right now so you can see the difference.
He hasn't been sleeping. I was wide awake last night so I watched and listened to him. He would fall asleep start wheezing then eventually let out a squeal, sneeze, noise and jump up. He did this all night and he's been doing it today too.
It's good to hear they can be cured cuz EVERYTHING I read said they can't.
I looked up buck grease and it looks like that's what it is and found some remedies to help clear that up.
Let me get those pics to you, he was absolutely adorable when I first got him so I'll send those and I'll take a new one right now so you can see the difference.
I'm a medical assistant (on people lol) so I used my stethoscope to try to listen to his lungs. I didn't hear anything weird, and his heart sounded fine. When I hold him, play with him, when hes running around-he doesnt sneeze any more than any other rat. He kind of chatters but honestly I always thought it was bruxing because he does it more when i hold him or if hes on my shoulder. He is just full of noises but I havent been able to catch them through the stethoscope.
I looked up pics of a double rexes, but i dont think he is one.
I looked up pics of a double rexes, but i dont think he is one.
Okay, looks like a rex coat--which is why you see his hair thinning in some places and not in others. (I've never personally had a rex, but I've heard their coats can change over time.) Also, definitely looks like buck grease to me.
And you should still for sure get him on meds. My Russell has had respiratory problems his entire life, and he's been on ABs many times for them. But, he's lived a long, happy life and the medicine definitely made that possible.
And you should still for sure get him on meds. My Russell has had respiratory problems his entire life, and he's been on ABs many times for them. But, he's lived a long, happy life and the medicine definitely made that possible.
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
Join the discussion
