RatPalace.com - Pet Rat Care and Discussion

Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:21 am

Maybe some experienced breeders or others who have had litters can help me with this. Or anyone else who has a better idea. Thanks:

Tonight I noticed that one of my baby rats has slight porphyrin discharge around one eye only. She is healthy otherwise... scampering around and eating (suckling) normally.
But if she is starting to show signs of sickness, I'm worried about her being in such close contact with her littermates and mom.
I plan to call my rat vet in the morning (can't do anything on a Sunday night). But I know I won't be able to get in until Tuesday.
In the meantime, I really don't want to isolate this baby since she is not yet weaned (she's 18 days old).
Now... she could be perfectly fine, as the porphyrin could have been normal just-woke-up discharge.
But I am now excessively worried about her and the others.
I hung out with the babies for hours this evening, and really saw no signs of illness. No sneezing, no scruffy coats, no fatigue, nothing. Every last one of them seemed as healthy as could be -- except for the discharge around the one baby girl's eye.
I will continue to keep a close eye on them.

If this happened with my adult rats, I'd get the possibly sick one vet checked. If necessary, I'd then treat her and her cagemates.
But is it the same with babies? If the girl IS sick, will I have to give antibiotics to mom and the other 12 babies?

Ugh... I'm getting ahead of myself, here. I'm just worried.
Thanks for listening.

Mon Feb 06, 2006 2:54 pm

Smile

Its very normal to see a little porphyrin around the facial area

its just like our mucus

so if there are no other signs of illness i wouldnt worry....smile

if your feeling concerned, ring your vet and get her checked out anyway....just to be on the safe side

as for seperating her from her mum...i wouldnt do that.....she still needs mum for her feeds

When my little one got sick at 12 weeks of age the vet said her mum was the carrier of the illness and my baby got it from her mum....the mum has never been sick....she is just the carrier ( mycoplasma)....im lucky now cos i have 21 rats they are all together most of the time and most of them have built up a natural immunity to mycoplasma now

Now my baby is one of 12 and she is the only one of them to get sick.....the rest are as healthy as sin.....

so for now...just keep an eye out for more signs of illness and see how she goes...keep an eye on the others as well just in case

ring the vet if concerned....smile

Deb

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Mon Feb 06, 2006 6:02 pm

I agree--I think watchful waiting is a good path to follow.

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Tue Feb 07, 2006 2:46 am

Well, to me it just sounds like a slight eye irritation. Since she is otherwise healthy, and it is only the one eye that has porphyrin discharge, that would be my guess.

She might have poked herself in the eye with a piece of bedding, or a sibling or Mom may have accidentally scratched her in the eye. That is very easy to do, considering how close everyone stays in the nest.

If she was falling ill, the others would be as well. Just keep a close watch on them, and see if anything changes. wink

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Shanna
~ Serendipity Rodentry ~

Tue Feb 07, 2006 9:10 am

Thanks for the responses. I have a feeling it is 'normal' porphyrin or the result of a scratch or irritation... but I really tend to worry too much before it's necessary.
When I checked on them this morning, she had just a speck on her eye. Comforting. So I made her an appointment, anyway, for Thursday. These babies will be adopted, so it is my responsibility to make sure she is healthy for her new home.
I spent a long time with the babies again tonight. Still no signs of illness. Just a tiny bit of porphyrin around one eye. I think she'll be just fine. But it won't hurt to have her checked, anyway.
I admit I posted in haste when I was overly worried. I have taken some deep breaths since then.

Take care.

Wed Feb 08, 2006 2:48 am

maybe its just that time of year for one eyed porphyrin staining? I have been noticeing ALOT of posts about it. And Dustins came back as well...hmmmm Shaz

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