New baby rat wheezing

[zJoker]

Hello,

Just took home a 4 weeks old baby boy from the breeder today. On the car ride back and after he reached his new home, he started making grunting noises. (Similar to this video: ) He doesn’t constantly sound like that but when it happens, it’s really loud.

I have Baytril and Doxy meds that my vet recommended to use whenever my rats has respiratory problems but I’m hesitant to start him on antibiotics because he’s still very young and tiny (less than 150g) and I’ve only had him for a few hours. I had a rat recently pass awhile due to pneumonia and I don’t want that to happen again

Also planning on introducing him to my 3 month old rat but I’m worried that his symptoms might never clear... should I still introduce him then? Sorry for the long post but please let me know your thoughts. Thank you

 

[SQ]

The baytril and doxy can be used as need to be started asap - amount given depends on how much he weighs.
If you post his weight and the strength of each med (mg/ml) then we can help you to figure out the amount to give.
http://ratguide.com/meds/antimicrobial_agents/enrofloxacin_baytril.php
http://ratguide.com/meds/antimicrobial_agents/doxycycline.php

Azithromycin and clavamox (amoxi) are both safe for babies, they treat different types of infection and you need to see a good vet with the knowledge and experience to treat rats asap
http://ratguide.com/meds/antimicrobial_agents/azithromycin.php
http://ratguide.com/meds/antimicrobial_agents/clavamox_amoxicillinclavulanate.php

Antibiotics need to be given for at least 4 to 6 weeks (I find mine need 6 weeks) if they are helping, if they do not start to help after a couple of days then different antibiotics or a different combination of antibiotics need to be given.

At 4 weeks old the baby should still be with his mama (baby boys are separated at 5 weeks, separating at 4 weeks will not kill him but it is not good) and he is likely very stressed by being taken away from his mama and all of his siblings. Babies need to go to new homes with at least 1 of their siblings because of the stress (stress causes illness) and because babies need another baby to play with.

You can not start intros for awhile because 1. intros are stressful and he is ill and 2. babies need to be at least 8 weeks old (10 weeks is safer) before being introed to a rat that is over 12 weeks old.

So, imo he needs to see a good vet with the knowledge and skill to treat rats asap and be put on antibiotics asap - amount will depend on his weight
and you need to go get at least 1 of his brothers to live with him

btw WELCOME to the Forum
you will find the reference thread to be helpful https://www.ratshackforum.com/threads/reference-thread-read-only.35894/

I hope your baby is soon feeling much better

 

[jorats]

I would definitely do the meds for sure and keep him on it for at least 4 to 6 weeks. As for intros, I'd wait until baby is about 6 to 8 weeks old.

 

[zJoker]

The baytril and doxy can be used as need to be started asap - amount given depends on how much he weighs.
If you post his weight and the strength of each med (mg/ml) then we can help you to figure out the amount to give.
http://ratguide.com/meds/antimicrobial_agents/enrofloxacin_baytril.php
http://ratguide.com/meds/antimicrobial_agents/doxycycline.php

Azithromycin and clavamox (amoxi) are both safe for babies, they treat different types of infection and you need to see a good vet with the knowledge and experience to treat rats asap
http://ratguide.com/meds/antimicrobial_agents/azithromycin.php
http://ratguide.com/meds/antimicrobial_agents/clavamox_amoxicillinclavulanate.php

Antibiotics need to be given for at least 4 to 6 weeks (I find mine need 6 weeks) if they are helping, if they do not start to help after a couple of days then different antibiotics or a different combination of antibiotics need to be given.

At 4 weeks old the baby should still be with his mama (baby boys are separated at 5 weeks, separating at 4 weeks will not kill him but it is not good) and he is likely very stressed by being taken away from his mama and all of his siblings. Babies need to go to new homes with at least 1 of their siblings because of the stress (stress causes illness) and because babies need another baby to play with.

You can not start intros for awhile because 1. intros are stressful and he is ill and 2. babies need to be at least 8 weeks old (10 weeks is safer) before being introed to a rat that is over 12 weeks old.

So, imo he needs to see a good vet with the knowledge and skill to treat rats asap and be put on antibiotics asap - amount will depend on his weight
and you need to go get at least 1 of his brothers to live with him

btw WELCOME to the Forum
you will find the reference thread to be helpful https://www.ratshackforum.com/threads/reference-thread-read-only.35894/

I hope your baby is soon feeling much better

Thank you for the detailed reply! I've watched him for a couple of hours and he's already stopped making the noises (although I know not to be fooled since they're instinctively prey animal and likes to hide their illnesses), but just to be sure should I then still start him on the meds?

Unfortunately I'm not sure of the circumstances but he was left all alone and despite that I opted to take him in because I wanted to get another buddy for my lone grieving rat anyway and I thought that by the time he's grown to 6-8 weeks my grieving boy should be slightly less depressed. )": I thought it was alright since he started out being alone but should I get a mate for him? Sorry for the multiple questions I just really want them to be able to live their best lives.

Thank you so much this is a lovely community. Happy to be a part of it

 

[zJoker]

I would definitely do the meds for sure and keep him on it for at least 4 to 6 weeks. As for intros, I'd wait until baby is about 6 to 8 weeks old.

Thank you! But should I still introduce the little one if he's still showing symptoms? I hope he gets well soon but would rather be better safe than sorry.

 

[jorats]

Thank you! But should I still introduce the little one if he's still showing symptoms? I hope he gets well soon but would rather be better safe than sorry.

If he is on meds and feeling good, not lethargic or loss of appetite, I would do the intros.

 

[SQ]

It would be easier for him if you got him another baby from the same place to play with etc since he needs to wait awhile before he will be old enough for intros …….. when all rats are under 12 weeks old they are babies and can be put together but if any are over 12 weeks old then gradual intros are needed and babies need to be large enough (ie 8 to 10 weeks old) before doing intros - this is so that no one is hurt or killed.

Please see these links for helpful information:
https://www.ratshackforum.com/threads/introducing-new-rats.34842/#post-491257
www.joinrats.com

Personally, if possible I would take him in to see a good vet as the vet can listen to his lungs etc to see if he is ill …… although he seems to have stopped making the noises, he may be sick and may need antibiotics