Rat breathing hard/fast?

[leighstreet]

I've had new baby girl rats for about 3 weeks now (so they're about 9 weeks at this point at least).

One of them is about average size for the gender/age but the other was probably the runt of the litter; she is so small!

I did notice a problem this morning though. Small one is sitting outside of the hide/bed places breathing very hard and fast, not really moving. But at the same time, she'll get up randomly and climb/play for a few minutes then resume sitting/breathing hard in another spot.

What would the breathing be from? I held her up to my ear and I don't hear any crackling.

 

[SQ]

Please take her to a good vet with the knowledge and experience to treat rats now
She is very ill and likely needs to be put on antibiotics immediately
Rats become ill and die fast, so she needs to see a good vet today