# Rat Respiratory Infection — UK Vet Guide — Quick answer

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/rat-respiratory-infection-uk): Rat Respiratory Infection — UK Vet Guide — Quick answer. Most pet rats carry Mycoplasma pulmonis, and stress or dirty bedding can tip it into active respiratory infection. Sneezing, porphyrin (red) staining around the eyes and nose, and rattly breathing mean it's time for the vet. Laboured breathing is a same-day emergency.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/rat-respiratory-infection-uk): Rat Respiratory Infection — UK Vet Guide — Mycoplasma: why rats are so prone. Respiratory disease is the most common health problem in pet rats. The underlying cause is usually Mycoplasma pulmonis, a bacterium carried silently by most pet rats, often passed from mother to pup. It flares into active illness when the immune system is weakened by: - Ammonia from dirty cages — urine build-up damages the airways - Dusty or unsuitable bedding — UK rat care guides warn against cedar and pine - Poor ventilation, overcrowding and stress - Other infections taking hold at the same time Once active, infection typically moves from the nose and middle ear down into the lungs — pneumonia can follow quickly.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/rat-respiratory-infection-uk): Rat Respiratory Infection — UK Vet Guide — Symptoms. | Sign | What you see | |------|--------------| | Sneezing | Persistent or frequent — more than the occasional 'new home sneezes' | | Porphyrin staining | Red, blood-like discharge around eyes and nose | | Noisy breathing | Clicking, rattling or wheezing sounds | | Laboured breathing | Sides heaving, stretched posture — emergency | | Rough coat | Fur puffed or staring; hunched posture | | Lethargy | Sleeping more, less interest in food, weight loss | | Head tilt | Circling or tilt if infection reaches the inner ear | Porphyrin is not blood — it's a red secretion from the Harderian gland behind the eye, produced under stress and illness. Heavy staining alongside other signs means something is wrong.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/rat-respiratory-infection-uk): Rat Respiratory Infection — UK Vet Guide — When to see the vet. Book a prompt appointment for persistent sneezing, porphyrin staining or audible breathing — early treatment stops lung damage. Treat as a same-day emergency if your rat has laboured or open-mouth breathing, blue-tinged ears or tail, or sits hunched, fluffed and unresponsive. Rats decline fast once the lungs are involved.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/rat-respiratory-infection-uk): Rat Respiratory Infection — UK Vet Guide — What the vet will do. Respiratory infections are treated with prescription antibiotics chosen by your vet, often alongside anti-inflammatories and nursing care. There are no safe over-the-counter substitutes, and doses must be calculated for a tiny body weight — never attempt to dose antibiotics yourself. Be prepared for a managed condition rather than a one-off cure: mycoplasma is rarely eliminated completely, so flare-ups can recur under stress. Many rats live comfortably for their normal lifespan with prompt treatment each time.

Source: https://pethealth.org.uk/health/rat-respiratory-infection-uk