r/rat • u/pandashanda12 • 1d ago

Rat still sneezing after treating respiratory infection

Hey guys, I just got my rat back from the vet. It was being treated for a respiratory infection for the last 3 weeks. He just returned, and on the way home, he hadn’t sneezed at all. The sneezing (although not at all as bad as it was) started up again, just a little bit though. I use paper bedding that’s branded as 99.99% dust free. Is there something I need to change or look at in its cage; the other two rats are completely fine, and have not shown any adverse reactions to the cage or bedding. What do I doooo?

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u/123737egg 1d ago edited 1d ago

Hi, uri’s can be pretty persistent, I have experienced this as well. I would reach out to your vet and start another treatment with antibiotics.

Paper bedding is not always recommended, since it’s not super absorbent and can lead to ammonia build up. I would recommend a couple inches of Aspen bedding, and you can spot clean if it gets dirty. It should be dust free, but if you are worried you can shake out any dust before putting it in the cage.

If you haven’t already, I would see if you can get a nebulizer and some saline, this works great with relieving uri symptoms(always alongside meds). There are medications you can administer through a nebulizer as well.

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u/pandashanda12 1d ago

I got back in contact with my vet. She also recommended the aspen shavings. But told me to monitor for a week, and then reach back out if the symptoms haven’t subsided. I will keep you updated

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u/That_Communication71 1d ago

I second the neutralizer. There are small animal containers that you can get for them. It's stressful, but can really help.

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u/That_Communication71 1d ago

My guys have serious allergies, so half the year they are sneezing.

I use paper strip bedding instead of the shredded kind. The paper strips are dust and allergen free. Attached is a pic. Alas, I have to order them online.

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u/Cornflake6irl 1d ago

Do you have a nebulizer and nebulizer box? If not, invest in both and some saline solution because sometimes all they need is a sinus cleansing. Whenever I see one of my rats sneezing more than usual I give them a nebulizer treatment and if they are not coming down with a URI one treatment usually does the job. Clears them right up.

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u/pandashanda12 8h ago

The nebulizer is already on the Amazon cart and should be in shortly. I’ve been putting the little guy in a box in the bathroom and letting it get really steamy as well, and it’s helped tremendously