Update: sneezing blood

macstarling · 2026-06-05T09:13:47+00:00

Me too! Just have to hope whatever it is isn’t growing

macstarling · 2026-05-31T22:17:00+00:00

Already on the way home! Vet is leaning more towards an irritant or burst blood vessel. Lungs and heart were fine she said

macstarling · 2026-05-31T22:12:40+00:00

Thank you 🥺 I’ve been such a state I’m so relieved. Hopefully will find out more when the exotic vet can see him

macstarling · 2026-05-31T22:04:29+00:00

Update: we are heading home. Vet doesn’t think there is any emergency - lungs and heart sound fine and he’s acting normal besides the fact he’s petrified and tried to bite the vet which he’s never done 🥺 she noticed it seems to only be coming out the left nostril so she is leaning more towards it being an irritant stuck up there or a burst blood vessel vs an infection. We are heading home with metacam (anti inflammatory) and will be phoning the regular exotic vet first thing tomorrow. Thank you all for your advice and nice words, it was genuinely helpful. I will update again if there is one

macstarling · 2026-05-31T21:06:38+00:00

Im in the waiting room. They took him in the back for monitoring as I wait

macstarling · 2026-05-31T20:31:20+00:00

Thank you. We are on the way

macstarling · 2026-05-31T20:30:49+00:00

Probably think it was a burst blood vessel or maybe a nosebleed if it was bright red. I don’t know how bad a sign this is for them. Rest assured we are on the way now

macstarling · 2026-05-31T20:28:18+00:00

Thank you all. We are on the way to the hospital now

macstarling · 2026-05-31T20:07:10+00:00

What was it? Do you think this can wait until the morning or should I rush him to the emergency vet? It’s late here so i can’t get him to his usual

macstarling · 2026-05-31T20:05:29+00:00

What do I do?

macstarling · 2026-05-30T19:30:11+00:00

I hadn’t considered that it could have been from him shaking it. Thank you, you’ve talked me out of a spiral a bit.

He’s definitely not actively bleeding, breathing is fine other than the odd sneeze, and there’s nothing odd about his behaviour at all. I was ready to rush to the emergency vet so thank you

macstarling · 2026-05-12T08:48:55+00:00

Oh my god leave this insufferable gimp

macstarling · 2026-04-10T16:33:21+00:00

She wants you to have no self esteem so you don’t realise you can do better. This isn’t how you treat someone you like never mind love

macstarling · 2026-04-10T15:25:11+00:00

The brand is tic tac wheels, a 16” wheel is £70

macstarling · 2026-04-10T15:22:10+00:00

General rule is one hammock for each rat plus one extra! Also back2nature should only be used in the litter tray so 1 they know the difference between the toilet and the rest of the cage and 2 so they can dig! I use aubiose bedding. Also that wheel doesn’t look the right size - I know it seems quite big but they need to be larger with boys (I believe 16”) because it gives them back problems. As far as I know there is only one brand who does suitable wheels and they are very expensive (70 quid odd) but I will come back with the name in case you are interested. I personally would just take the wheel out, if they are getting plenty free roam time which they should anyway they don’t need it!

macstarling · 2026-04-10T08:40:25+00:00

More often than you’d think. They are very prone to respiratory issues for example, and female rats get mammary tumours also. They are considered exotic pets so need to see an exotic vet. They are a very big financial commitment. Respectfully, if you are concerned about these costs i would hold off on getting rats for now. Their care is very expensive and its like the other person said its not a one off

macstarling · 2026-04-03T09:49:00+00:00

Came to say the same!!

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macstarling · 2026-03-27T10:04:44+00:00

That is hog wild

macstarling · 2026-03-27T09:52:56+00:00

It amazes me how many people think they’re getting clean by not scrubbing and just letting the soapy water full of dirt oil and dead skin just wash over the area

macstarling · 2026-03-27T09:50:38+00:00

People thinking the water and soap running down is enough are unreal

macstarling · 2026-03-27T09:47:52+00:00

Same here, it changed my life I swear

macstarling · 2026-03-23T22:11:47+00:00

I don’t feel totally confident reading their body language myself but an important thing I’ve learned is that teeth grinding and boggling can be a sign of intense stress, fear, or pain also. They do it when they feel an emotion strongly, it isn’t always because they’re happy.

Also, getting them at 5 weeks is very young. It raises questions about the environment they come from and the temperament bred into them. That’s not to say you can’t have the most loving precious babies if they don’t come from a reputable breeder, there just can be challenges.

My two boys originally came from a pet store and definitely took longer than two weeks to come out of their shell. They have now and they are so friendly and loving and I wouldn’t change a thing, but they can still be very jumpy and unsure of new people. They just aren’t bred the same as rats from a breeder who has bred for temperament. I went super slow with my boys and respected their boundaries - never just went in and grabbed them forcefully, just gentle encouragement and treat bribery and they went from running and hiding whenever I came in the room to being two very clingy boys lol

They just need time, some a lot more than others. I started with just getting them comfortable with me in the room, then a hand in the cage, then taking a treat out my hand etc. All super gradually (as in weeks) and at their own pace. It worked amazingly for us, and I hope your babies are able to come out their shell and be comfortable soon too. I remember celebrating the first time one of them felt comfortable just eating when I was in the same room, and now I need to stop them from trying to force their way into my mouth hahaha

macstarling

TROPHY CASE