My rat's eye is infected. What can I do to help her feel better?

Hello, and thank you for your question. The reddish discharge from the eyes is called porphyrin, which usually occurs in rats due to stress, often due to medical illness. Has she been feeling unwell lately? Common causes of illness in rats include upper respiratory infections (colds), systemic infections, diarrhea, skin problems, or skin tumours. If her energy or appetite are decreased, I would encourage you to take her to the vet to pinpoint the underlying cause. At minimum, they can provide supportive medications for pain or antibiotics if needed. In the meantime, make sure you are keeping Enni's living area clean, and cleaning out any soiled bedding daily. I hope this helps, and that Enni feels better soon.

Although a picture of it could help to determine underlying cause more specifically, that is likely to be due to a mild to moderate conjunctivitis, probably secondary to a trauma or infection. A check up would be needed as appropriate treatment would include antibiotics and anti-inflammatory eye drops. Corneal injuries must be ruled out as well. Hope this answer was helpful, but 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.

This presentation could be due to a mild to moderate conjunctivitis which could be due to an infection or could be traumatic. A check up at your local veterinarian would be essential to confirm this clinical suspicion and treat appropriately. Antibiotic eye drops may be required. Corneal injuries needs to be ruled out as well.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is a good sign that Oliver’s red discharge has stopped. This is a substance known as porphyrin, which rats make normally in a small gland behind their eye. It is normally groomed off, but you may notice it if your rat is grooming less than usual because he doesn’t feel well. The fact that the discharge is now gone, is likely because Oliver has started grooming. Unfortunately, rats can have many bacterial infections that can cause them to sneeze and may take some time to treat. I recommend continuing the antibiotics for as long as directed by your vet, even if the symptoms decrease.

Hello! The picture is a bit dark, but there are two main possible causes for this. The first cause is completely normal- rats have porphyrin pigment, which is red colored, in their tears and nasal secretions naturally. Seeing a small amount of red tinged tearing is completely normal in rats. The tearing often increases during times of stress and illness. Moving is a common cause of stress in rats, so may increase this normal tear production. If Nugget is completely normal otherwise, I would likely attribute this to the stress of moving. If the discharge is a bright frank red blood, associated with the eye being swollen or held shut, yellow/green discharge, sneezing, wheezing, lethargy, or disinterest in food, I would recommend a vet check to rule out an upper respiratory infection that may require antibiotics for both rats, as it is usually contagious. I hope this is helpful! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! :)

Thanks for reaching out about Peppa. This does sound like an upper respiratory disease, and these can be bacterial or viral. There are some antibiotics safer to give newborns, such as doxycycline, and treats many of the diseases that cause URIs in guinea pigs. Not sure what is going on the eye on the other one, but a corneal infections if a concern. It is recommended your see a veterinarian to help and prescribe medication. good luck.

Poor Pip, it looks like she has developed conjunctivitis. It is inflammation of the eye tissue that can be caused by infection or trauma (like getting bedding in the eye). There is a chance there may be damage to the surface of the eye which could cause an ulcer, usually a vet will put dye in the eye to check for this. Ideally I would take her to a vet to have this checked, but it may be more difficult with the virus. I would ring your normal vet and see what they say about an appointment. You will need an eye drop to treat the eye a d your vet should be able to prescribe this to you based on the symptoms you describe, they may want to see it though. Make sure Pip is still eating well as pain can put GPs off food easily.