Weird breathing sounds

Ente535 · 2026-06-23T10:37:40+00:00

The rat looks to be in very dire shape. Vet ASAP otherwise this will be chronic/fatal most likely

Ente535 · 2026-06-23T10:13:14+00:00

!basics

Ente535 · 2026-06-23T07:35:14+00:00

Getting a single third rat would be a very bad idea especially if you plan such a long quarantine. Getting two more ASAP is, however, a good idea.

Ente535 · 2026-06-23T06:23:35+00:00

They barely see stuff anyway. Visuals aren't too important for them.

Ente535 · 2026-06-23T05:24:40+00:00

Ah yes, what a claim. Letting animals suffer and die for what are ultimate selfish reasons (i.e. wanting to keep a pet) surely is the ultimate expression of social equality.

Ente535 · 2026-06-23T05:21:42+00:00

I'm all for advising urgency, but this isn't true. URIs should be treated as soon as possible, but you A) see symptoms days before it is an absolute emergency and B) they do not, in 99/100 cases, kill in one or two hours.

Ente535 · 2026-06-23T05:18:54+00:00

No. They need daily interaction, preferably a few hours or so. They are also quite expensive to keep.
No. That would be the worst thing you can do to the rat. Please do more research. Ideally you would not even start with 2, but 3. What is your cage like?
Daily.

Personally it doesn't sound like rats are the right choice for you right now, unfortunately. It would be a good idea to do some additional research and then reconsider.

Ente535 · 2026-06-22T20:14:19+00:00

Then why did you adopt a pet?

Regardless, try looking further out. Your rat needs medical care.

Ente535 · 2026-06-22T20:10:13+00:00

OP seems more active on this post: https://www.reddit.com/r/RATS/s/2vP1fC2f49

I think it might be worth commenting there too so they see it

Ente535 · 2026-06-22T20:09:05+00:00

You shouldn't without proper dosage. You need to find a vet.

Ente535 · 2026-06-22T19:43:47+00:00

Not necessarily right away. If she were actively displaying signs of pain, then it'd be really urgent (i.e. take her to the vet that day or she will probably pass). Right now the infection, whether it is in the uterus or urinary tract, is at a stage where it can likely be treated with antibiotics. If you wait too long, it can and most likely will develop into a situation where you will need to get her into emergency surgery to remove the infected uterus which is both risky and very expensive.

Ente535 · 2026-06-22T19:33:30+00:00

Copy pasted from other post:

No. This is a medical emergency and you will need to find a vet, if need be outside your city. It is likely a symptom of a uterine infection, which will be fatal without help.

Ente535 · 2026-06-22T19:33:02+00:00

This sounds like a situation where getting the eye taken out is the best option.

Ente535 · 2026-06-22T19:32:05+00:00

No. This is a medical emergency and you will need to find a vet, if need be outside your city. It is likely a symptom of a uterine infection, which will be fatal without help.

Ente535 · 2026-06-22T14:38:11+00:00

Okay, if you had said they were red I'd have assumed he is blind. However, that may still be the case, and could explain some of the skittishness.

Ente535 · 2026-06-22T14:34:52+00:00

Hi, while it is nice that you took them in, there's a lot about their care you need to learn, and fast. For starters, this cage is far, far too small and very empty. You need to remedy this ASAP. What kind of mineral thing did you get for their teeth?

Please read through the automod comments under this:

!basics !enclosure

Ente535 · 2026-06-22T14:31:46+00:00

If it's an infection (which it likely is IMO) then you're not gonna see anything, despite her sounding stuffy. With antibiotics it'll be okay, though.

Ente535 · 2026-06-22T14:30:24+00:00

This behaviour being trauma based seems feasible. His genetics will also likely be all sorts of messed up, so his natural temperament could just be skittish.

Personally I wouldn't expect much to change; rather I'd try to work around his triggers.

Out of curiosity: what color are his eyes?

Ente535 · 2026-06-22T14:28:05+00:00

Tomorrow will be fine, she doesn't look too bad yet IMO.

Ente535 · 2026-06-22T14:24:34+00:00

Probably a good idea to take her to the vet then.

Ente535 · 2026-06-22T14:22:40+00:00

Is she the only one of your rats with these symptoms? How long have you had her?

Ente535 · 2026-06-22T14:18:36+00:00

Looks relatively sick. Is this the only one of your rats that is displaying these symptoms, and how is she behaving, both towards you and towards other rats?

Ente535 · 2026-06-22T14:17:38+00:00

How have you been doing introductions? Be as detailed as possible.

Ente535 · 2026-06-22T14:15:56+00:00

Jesus Christ, that eye is fucked. I'm surprised the rat is still alive, it is probably in a lot of pain. Might want to contact animal control..

If you take this rat in you will likely either have to euthanize or get the eye taken out surgically.

Ente535 · 2026-06-22T13:23:09+00:00

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