COMMON ILLNESS IN RATS
Common illnesses in pet rats. This is not all inclusive, but includes common viruses, bacteria and fungal infections found in pet rats. Viruses or bacteria that do not cause symptoms or long term affects on rats, and is not transferable to humans is not included in this list.
PREVENTION
QuarantineQuarantine should be done for any new rat/s that you plan to incorporate into your colony. Quarantine must be done in a separate airspace, for at least 3 weeks. Ideally, the use of gloves, a gown and booties would be best when interacting with quarantined rats, however, this is not typically expected of pet owners. However, you should still wash hands and/or skin that has come into contact with the quarantined rats and blow your nose afterwards. If the quarantined rats make contact with clothing, it is best to change clothes. Wait at least 3 hours before going near your other rats. Do not allow quarantined rats to interact or share airspace with other rats.
|
THE IMPORTANCE OF QUARANTINE...Quarantining new rats is the single most effective way to prevent against viral and bacterial infections in your colony. It is not restricted to breeders or laboratories. Pet owners should always quarantine new rats in order to protect their current rats. Should you not quarantine, you accept your risks. At Maineiac Mischief Rattery, we expect our adopters to quarantine all new rats upon arrival. Left, you will find a guide to proper quarantine. Below, is a list of some of the more common illnesses that affect pet rats. |
VIRUSES
Sendai Virus (SV)
Family: Paramyxoviridae
Genus: Paramyxovirus Species: Parainfluenza Most devastating to very young, elderly and rats with weak immune systems. Higher mortality rate when combined with bacterial infections such as Mycoplasma Pulmonis. Highly contagious. Can be passed via contact or airborne. Symptoms begin 5-7 days after initial exposure while the virus replicates in the respiratory tract for approximately 1 week.
|
Symptoms:
|
Sub-Clinical: Typically affects laboratories or breeding colonies where the adults have developed immunity from a previous exposure and produce maternal antibodies for babies for 4-8 weeks, at which point antibodies wear off and babies become infected with the virus. Cessation of breeding for a period will naturally eliminate the virus from the colony.
Clinical: Initial introduction of the virus into a group of rats leads to clinically apparent infection. Proper quarantine will prevent infection in a group.
Treatment: There is no treatment for Sendai but it is necessary to treat for the secondary bacterial infection with broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Clinical: Initial introduction of the virus into a group of rats leads to clinically apparent infection. Proper quarantine will prevent infection in a group.
Treatment: There is no treatment for Sendai but it is necessary to treat for the secondary bacterial infection with broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Sialodacryoadenitis Virus (SDAV)
Family: RNA
Genus: Coronavirus Species: Sialodacryoadenitis Highly contagious. Weakens immune system and opens the door to secondary infections that can be fatal. Is airborne and spread via aerosols from infected rats. Contact with cage, accessories, food, bedding, clothes, toys, etc. can spread the virus. Symptoms show between 5-10 days. Self-limiting virus. Once infected, the virus lives for 7-10 days. No apparent carrier state. Secondary infections may persist longer. Permanent eye and/or respiratory tract damage may occur in surviving rats. |
Symptoms:
|
Treatment: Self-Limiting with no effective treatment. Treatment of secondary infections necessary for best outcome. Broad spectrum antibiotics such as Doxycycline and enrofloxacin given at max dose for 3-4 weeks. To assist dry eyes, treat with "Natural Tears."
Rat Parvovirus
Family: Parvoviridae
Genus: Species: RPV, RV, H-1 Spread via contact with infected bodily fluids. Mostly affects Labs and Ratteries where breeding is present. Primarily affects fertility and litter sizes. Additional symptoms seen when experimenting with unnaturally infected rats and are unlikely to present with natural infection. Not typically of concern for pet colonies. |
Symptoms:
|
Treatment: No treatment. Self-limiting in closed colonies. Addition of babies or new rats may cause recurring infection. Virus can live on surfaces for weeks to months, making clearing the environment of the virus very difficult, if not impossible. Quarantine for 60-90 days (beginning one week from the birth of the last litter with no new litters on the way) and clean ALL surfaces, objects, etc with diluted bleach solution for best results. However, this is no guarantee.
Seoul Hantavirus
Family: Bunyaviridae
Genus: Hantavirus Species: SV, SEOV Life-long virus. Does not appear to have symptoms in infected rats. Is transmittable to humans. Transmitted via bodily fluids or airborne (in the form of inhaled contaminated dust particles). |
Symptoms:
|
Treatment: Seoul is not self-limiting, is life-long with no effective treatment. Due to the risk of transmitting the virus to humans, euthanasia is the best course of action. If euthanasia is not chosen, strict biosecurity is a must to prevent infecting other rats and people.
Pneumocystis
Family: Pneumocystidaceae
Genus: Pneumocystis Species: P. Carinii, P. Wakefieldeae P. Carinii and P. Wakefieldeae are specific to rats. Does not always show symptoms unless immunocompromised. No cross-species transmission. Fairly common in pet rats, but not typically symptomatic. Transmitted via contact with infected animals of the same species. Self-limiting in 3-8 weeks in healthy animals. Immunocompromised animals may shed the virus indefinitely. |
Symptoms:
|
Treatment: Administration of Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole (50mg and 250mg/kg/day) in drinking water. Does not eliminate the organism, but reduces morbidity.
BACTERIA & FUNGI
Mycoplasma (Myco)
Family: Mycoplasmataceae
Genus: Mycoplasma Species: M. Pulmonis, Murine M. Present in all pet rats, unless obtained from particular lab stock in which mycoplasmosis was removed from the colony. Typically the cause of upper and lower respiratory infections and genital infections. |
Symptoms:
|
Treatment: Mycoplasmosis is not curable. Treatment of secondary infections due to Myco, such as upper or lower respiratory symptoms are the recommended course of action. Minor respiratory infection can be treated with Amoxicillin. If symptoms persist or worsen, treatment with stronger meds, such as Doxycycline or Enrofloxacin (or in conjunction) is recommended. In severe cases, additional treatment with nebulizer and/or use of corticosteroids may be needed.
Cilia-Associated Respiratory Bacillus (CAR-B)
Family: Filobacteriaceae
Genus: Filobacterium rodentium Likely to be common in pet populations. Transmitted via contact with infected animals. Spreads relatively slowly. Can be infected shortly after birth if mother rat is infected. Does not always present with symptoms. Affected rats are typically immunocompromised. When symptoms are present, it is typically a long-term presence with respiratory symptoms. |
Symptoms:
|
Treatment: No treatment available for CAR-B itself. Broad-spectrum antibiotics for treatment of respiratory symptoms.
Ringworm
Genus: Microsporum and Trichophyton
Fungi that causes dermatophytosis, a disease of the epidermis. Not specific to rodents. Zoonotic and can be transmitted to people and other animals. Spores are hardy and can survive for years on surfaces. Animals can be asymptomatic carriers. |
Symptoms:
|
Treatment: Although Ringworm symptoms can go away in a few weeks, it can continue to shed asymptomatically if the fungi is not treated. Treat with antifungal creams, such as Nystatin or or other cream containing Clotrimazole daily to affected area. Treatment may take several weeks. Limit sugary foods.