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Rat has noisy breathing

Ratty Potter

Hello, My rat is 10 months now. He makes a funny clicking/squeaky noise when breathing, like he's got a blocked nose, mostly when he gets over excited during play time; just this one time he was making the same noise when he was sleeping. I know it's from his nose as the noise continues when he's eating, it's not bruxing either. I had a listen to his chest and there's no wheezing or laboured breathing. Apart from that he's behaving and eating/drinking normally. Is there something I should be worried about? The other rat, his brother, is fine. Thank you very much for your time.

•   Susan says:

  April 16th, 2008 at 06:57 AM

  Is your little man sneezing?  Is there any nasal or ocular discharge?

  Make sure the husbandry is as good as possible. Have you changed his bedding recently?  Any type of air irritant could cause respiratory inflammation - extra dust from poor bedding, drafty housing, inappropriate temperature, and infrequent cage cleaning can all contribute. An air humidifier may help.

  It may also be a respiratory infection, although if he is acting normal otherwise this is less likely.  Some rats need long term antibiotics to control respiratory signs, some will need them off and on.

  I hope this helps you.  Good luck with your baby!

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• Bea says:

  April 17th, 2008 at 03:31 AM

  Hello, thanks very much for the reply! No sneezing but I've noticed a little bit of porphryn discharge from his nose once or twice. I use dust free bedding and spot clean the cage everyday and thoroughly once a fortnight. It happened twice when I take him out of the cage and to another room for some free range play time, so I'm guessing he must be sensitive to something there - apart from one time when he was asleep and making noises he's fine when in the cage. I'll look into the humidifier as the heating during colder months also affects me, so it might help both of us.

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•   Susan says:

  April 17th, 2008 at 10:06 AM

  The porphyrin is produced by a gland (Harderian gland) located behind the eyeball. The secretion of this gland is rich in lipid and porphyrin. During acute-onset stress such as that caused by pain, illness, or restraint, the tears overflow and stain the face around the eyes and nose. Red tears often are an indication of a chronic underlying disease, and they warrant a thorough evaluation of the little guy. It would certainly be safest to have this guy checked out. 

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•   Shadow De La Luna says:

  January 12th, 2009 at 04:10 PM

  If he's secreting porphyrin, he's under stress or suffering with an illness.  It will appear first from the nostrils and then from the eyes.  I would be concerned with his breathing issues.  This often will mean a respiratory infection, overwhelming stress, or a tumor.  I would be on respiratory issues which are rather treatable.  I would recommend you take him to a vet.  A round of Baytril and some vitamins in his water as well as reassessing his diet and housing would be a necessity.  If he's in a powdery bedding, try switching to fabric for his bedding and a newspaper or other powder free litter for his litter box.  Also reassess his diet.  Standard diets at pet stores are often full of powders and rarely are adequate.  Try giving him rat lab blocks but also supplementing him with a lot of human food such as oatmeal and grains, fresh fruits and veges.  And keep him stimulated... lots of handling and affection.  Love will heal stress.  It will also help you isolate if it's medical.  Hold him every day and check his entire body for new bumps or complications.  

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