My baby rat has a broken arm and is breathing heavily. What to do?

He might be suffering from a severe respiratory infection, which is the most common medical condition in rats. you need to take him to the vet urgently in order to get treated, he will need antibiotics and medications to help him breath.

This sign could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or eventually to a chronic rhinitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Hello there! This little rat does not look very good at all. Unfortunately, there are many different diseases that outdoor rats can have - some that are zoonotic (this means transmissable to humans and other animals, so be sure to wash well after handling him) - and without a complete workup by a vet, it's not likely that he's going to survive the next couple of days. Even if you do bring him to the vet, there might not be much that can be done for him at this point. He is thin, he has a hunched body posture (an indicator of pain and severe stress), and his sunken, squinted eyes indicate dehydration. The respiratory symptoms you mentioned are very common in wild rat species, and are usually fatal. I highly suggest that you contact a veterinarian and consider humane euthanasia for this guy. You could also try to call a wildlife rehabber, but only if you can get in touch with one that will take the rat immediately. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it looks like you've done everything you can at home. If you can't get him to the vet right away, keep him warm and quiet. His little container looks quite comfy, but he needs professional care. Thank you for taking him in, and good luck.

Hello, and thank you for your question. It sounds like Bueller may have an upper respiratory tract infection, which is very common in rats. I would recommend taking him to the vet within the next 24 hours, especially since he is so lethargic. They can prescribe appropriate antibiotic medication, and offer other supportive medications if necessary. In the meantime, you can try using a humidifier to help ease his congestion. I would also ensure you are not using pine or cedar based bedding as the fumes from this type of bedding can worsen respiratory issues. Carefresh is a reliable alternative. I hope this helps, and that Bueller is feeling better soon.

Thanks for reaching out about Rita. A common respiratory disease in rats is mycoplasmosis, a bacteria-like organism that causes chronic upper and lower respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, sneezing and congestion. Antibiotics can improve condition but might not cure. A veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.

I am sorry to hear about Remy. Unfortunately without a vet I don't think there is much to do for Remy besides being sure he is provided with a nice soft/comfortable area to sleep and being sure there aren't areas in his cage he could fall (such as a tall shelf or box) and monitoring to be sure he is eating and drinking. If he is having trouble getting around then be sure he has easy access to food and water. If he isn't moving on his own you may need to offer him water via a syringe and place his food right in front of him. If he isn't improving you may need to travel to wherever a vet is located closest to you. Best of luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Chip. The most common respiratory ailment that affects rats, would be mycoplasmosis. This is a bacteria-like infection that could be managed by antibiotics but is rarely cured. Congenital malformation in the sinus could also explain the noises, but these are not treatable. Good luck.