All animals sometimes get sick and rats, unfortunately, not an exception. Born in the laboratory decorative home rats turned out to be much cuter and more friendly than their wild ancestors, but the immunity and ability to survive at the same time had to sacrifice.
While for a street rat, dampness, rain, and hunger are usually not a hindrance, a cute pet can easily catch a cold, fall ill because of poor nutrition and even fall into depression because of poor living conditions. It's impossible to predict everything, but lets at least try.
PARASITIC DISEASES
Skin parasites
Wherever they come from: fleas and ticks can come from anywhere! Often the owner himself brings them from the street, sometimes they "come" from poor quality filler.
Symptoms: the rat starts scratching often, sometimes even combing itself to the crusts. Fleas often settle on the groats of the animal, they can be seen with the naked eye. The first ones are reddish and very fast, the second ones are white, sitting on the hairs closer to the skin. Skin mites can only be seen under a microscope.
Treatment: it's easy to get rid of this infection, buy a special spray or powder at the pharmacy and treat the animal according to the instructions. Everything will be fine in a couple of hours.
Prevention: Do not use cheap sawdust from unknown manufacturers as a filler and always wash your hands not only after communicating with the animal, but also before.
Helminthoses
From where they come: from poor quality food or dirty water, from communicating with an infected animal.
Symptoms: Sometimes parasites can be seen with the naked eye in the animal's feces. Also, the rat has eating disorders (refusal to eat or overeat), stomach disorders, weakness, and lethargy. The worms affect the internal organs and, if left untreated, can lead to death.
Treatment: Seek medical attention to make sure the diagnosis is correct and to get recommendations. Pasta is the most common pasta used. We do not recommend self-analysis and preventive treatment - the rat is too weak animal and the extra medicine will not benefit it.
Coccidiosis
Where does it come from: unicellular parasites get into the body of the animal from the external environment and quickly affect the internal organs.
Symptoms: anemia, fever, seizures, paralysis, exhaustion, diarrhea and constipation. Parasites are visible in the feces of the animal. Rats often die.
Treatment: can only be prescribed by a doctor. Usually, it includes chemotherapy drugs, proper nutrition, probiotics.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
The list includes about 30 diseases, most of which are usually symptoms similar. Infectious diseases often occur in rats are difficult and rapid, and it is rarely possible to save the animal, so if you are suspicious, do not delay, immediately consult a dermatologist.
Where do they come from: microbes, viruses, and fungi get into the animal through infected food and water, contact with sick animals, as well as a bite of infected insects.
Symptoms: from severe eating disorders, diarrhea, and vomiting to fever, seizures, and paralysis. There may be sneezing, mucous, often purulent discharge from the nose and eyes. Coughing, inflammation, and ulceration of the skin can be observed.
Treatment: In each case, only a doctor can prescribe. The main reason why you should not delay - some infectious diseases are dangerous for humans.
Tumor DISEASES
Unfortunately, rats suffer from tumor diseases, including cancer, more often than other rodents. It is almost impossible to identify the causes, sometimes it happens to animals kept in ideal conditions by experienced breeders. Often the owners do not notice the problems until the last days and the cause of death of the animal remains undisclosed.
Symptoms: the lid becomes sluggish, refuses to play and eat, sleeps a lot, the coat dulls and rolls down.
Treatment: Seek medical attention to make an X-ray. The tumor can be either benign or malignant. It's hard to find a dermatologist who will agree to operate on such a tiny animal, but it's possible. Sometimes a rat can be saved.
DENTAL DISEASES
Where it comes from: The most common dental problem in rats is simply "long teeth". In the wild, rats get their teeth cut off against hard objects. If you eat badly at home, your teeth will continue to grow, prevent you from eating and cause you pain.
Prevention: Buy quality specialized food or, if you make it yourself, give the rat a twig for grinding teeth.
Treatment: If your teeth are already too long, ask your doctor to saw them off.
SPACE
Where does it come from: the wrong location of the cage, draughts, sudden changes in temperature, walks on the street.
Symptoms: sneezing and "smacking", discharge from the nose and eyes, weakness, poor appetite.
Treatment: the doctor prescribes a course of antibiotics, complete rest, proper caloric intake and, of course, relocation of the cell away from draughts.
WOUNDS AND SCRATCHES
Where do they come from: most rats are friendly and get along perfectly in groups, but some aggressive individuals regularly get into a fight with their relatives.
Treatment: Rinse the dirt wound and treat with iodine or aminocaproic acid. Sprinkle the wound with antiseptic powder or any neutral antibiotic ointment. If the wound is shallow, it will heal quickly, usually within a week.
PREVENTION IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN CURE.
To make the animal happy and live a long and healthy life, provide him with comfortable living conditions!
A large cage with a quality filler.
Regular walks, pipes, wheels and other toys.https://petsfusion.com/news/290/bolezni-domashnih-dekorativnih-kris/