RatPalace.com - Pet Rat Care and Discussion

Sat Feb 04, 2006 11:05 pm

When I first got my rats I noticed a little bit of polyphorin around the nose and eyes...I wiped it off for them and didn't see it again for a couple weeks. Now I've been noticing that one of my rat's Peachy seems to have it again..it's not alot..just a little bit from his nose and once in a while a bit by his eyes. My other rat Creamy doesn't seem to have any at all. I haven't noticed any weird breathing or sniffling..there are sometimes sneezes but not too often.

I have a suspicion that my rats have fleas...they itch alot..but I haven't seen any scabs at all..I was looking closely at my half-white guy and thought I noticed small black dots..but it didn't look like they were moving...maybe it could just be pieces from the YesterdaysNews? Anyways I'm bringing them in for a check-up very soon..Monday if everything goes as planned. Can fleas/mites cause polyphorin??

I always thought the only cause for polyphorin was a resperitory problem..but my old rat had this and these guys don't seem like they do at all. Could it be starting signs of a problem?

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~*Allie*~
Puppy: Pepper (my big suck) Kitty: Kitterz
Birdie:Mehico aka.Cheeky
Ratties: RIP Penny...i miss you pretty girl <333
Peaches n' Cream..2 bRATS
Jibroney!! --new rescue rat

Sun Feb 05, 2006 12:08 am

My buck gets it sometimes.. It is apparently a response to stress.. Hence why they get it when they have respiratory problems. It's common if they've been moved from a familiar cage, change of bedding (if you have a paranoid rat like mine!), anything that stresses them out can cause it. I *Don't Think* it's anything to worry about if there aren't any other symptoms. My female sneezes loads and sounds really bad sometimes, yet doesn't have any polyphorin at all.. I think it depends a lot on the rat and their stress response.. Bee

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~Bee~
Scamps
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Maggie n Flo
The Bunch of Tiny Pinkies

RIP Poncho.. The best second hand rat there ever was Mr. Green

Sun Feb 05, 2006 8:26 am

Aye - porphyrin is always secreted by the gland behind the eye into their tears - so their tears and nasal mucus are always tinged reddish from it. It's normal to see a little - especially on waking (think how you get crusties or sleepy sand in the corners of your eyes) and it's not always a sign of problems, particularly if it's washed away promply by the rat.

It can be a sign of stress or illness if there is excessive production or they're not washing away normal secretions. Some diseases and stress can cause excessive secretions - often, this will be an upper respiratory infection, but not all respiratory infections cause excess ecretion and any other illness could potentially cause them to produce a lot more if it stresses them out. In addition, any illness or stress can also make them less keen or able to wash themselves properly, which allows porphyrin to build up around the eyes and nose. These may have different appearances - excessive secretion generally means there is a lot of stuff in a similar stage of drying, often all over the paws and face/shoulders in more severe cases. If the problem is related to inability or lack of desire to clean themselves, then you may see it building up in layers around the eyes and nose. However, this can also be related to just waking up, temporary stress or irritation to an eye (like getting a bit of dust in it that has now been washed away), normal secretions for that rat (some produce more than others), age (older rats, particularly those with hind limb problems, may find it hard to wash themselves well) etc.

If it's just a little and hasn't reappeared, I wouldn't worry about it yet.

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Andy & The Rats

~ Darwin ~ Maisie ~ Ella ~ Zak ~

~ Finn ~ Malachi ~ Azrael ~ Newton ~ Charlie ~