Respiratory issue in my boy

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maddiescoobs

Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2019
Messages
10
Location
NH
Hi there! So my little man Harlem who is a neutered double Rex a littleness over a year has been having these little what I think are coughing fits since I first brought him home. He’s been to the vet for the neutering and I mentioned it but they didn’t seem too concerned. Anyways long story short he’s fine except for these little “fits” a few times a day and a little porphorin around his eyes sometimes and his breathing sounds ok so am I overreacting or is it a respitory issue I should take him to the vet for? Thanks in advance!

Edit to add video and mention Harlem has two sisters who he lives with who are both seemingly healthy!
 
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Hiccups, but FYI, my double Rex DOES have a deviated septum I think, he has always had what sounds like a breathing issue, maybe congestion, but I finally figured it out. For one thing, most double Rexes are terribly in-bred, so they could have all sorts of odd ball issues just because of that reason. So I will be giving him antihistamines when he gets older, maybe pseudoephedrine or something. He's just 2 years old, so I'm watching for any progressive breathing issues, so far so good, although he just got an infection of his glands next to his penis, poor guy. I have to squeeze the pus out every few days to keep it from closing up and abscessing, and also relieve him of the pain. He fights me over doing it, but then gives me time of kisses afterwards when he can walk without being in so much pain anymore. Got him on Baytril, Bactrin, and Metacam. Need to get his soft little butt better, lol! His name BTW??? How's Gollum for a Dumbo Double Rex!?!? Lolol!!!
 
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Hiccups, but FYI, my double Rex DOES have a deviated septum I think, he has always had what sounds like a breathing issue, maybe congestion, but I finally figured it out. For one thing, most double Rexes are terribly in-bred, so they could have all sorts of odd ball issues just because of that reason. So I will be giving him antihistamines when he gets older, maybe pseudoephedrine or something. He's just 2 years old, so I'm watching for any progressive breathing issues, so far so good, although he just got an infection of his glands next to his penis, poor guy. I have to squeeze the pus out every few days to keep it from closing up and abscessing, and also relieve him of the pain. He fights me over doing it, but then gives me time of kisses afterwards when he can walk without being in so much pain anymore. Got him on Baytril, Bactrin, and Metacam. Need to get his soft little butt better, lol! His name BTW??? How's Gollum for a Dumbo Double Rex!?!? Lolol!!!

When mine were like that my vet told me to give Benadryl or an allergy elixir. My guys did well on Benadryl once a day pretty much their entire lives. I wonder if a neuter would help prevent abscesses on the preputial glands.
 
Yes, I've used Benadryl myself and it did work well. I'm not yet sure what I will treat him with as 1) he's still young and healthy enough, and 2) I also had mine on Benadryl for rest of his life. I will probably try different things until I either see a favorable response with one, or, run through everything I have that might work and then treat him with the best one. And this is only after I have conferred with my vet both prior to any initial treatment, as well as after all possibilities have been checked. As for neutering to possibly help prevent abscessing of the glands surrounding his penis, in Gollum's case... He is 2 years old now and that alone is reason enough to forego all unnecessary invasive proceedures. But it might be a solution for a younger rat though.
 
Yes, I've used Benadryl myself and it did work well. I'm not yet sure what I will treat him with as 1) he's still young and healthy enough, and 2) I also had mine on Benadryl for rest of his life. I will probably try different things until I either see a favorable response with one, or, run through everything I have that might work and then treat him with the best one. And this is only after I have conferred with my vet both prior to any initial treatment, as well as after all possibilities have been checked. As for neutering to possibly help prevent abscessing of the glands surrounding his penis, in Gollum's case... He is 2 years old now and that alone is reason enough to forego all unnecessary invasive proceedures. But it might be a solution for a younger rat though.
Right, I didn't realize he was that old.
 
Thank you guys for your responses!! I’m so glad it’s just hiccups I was all worried lol. Rocket that’s good to know about antihistamines in the future and I hope your boy feels better soon! My boys name is Harlem (my boyfriend named him) all my siblings wanted me to name him Rufus(from Kim Possible) lol.
 
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