The Science

Mycoplasma is the organism that almost all rats in the general pet population carry, in the upper respiratory tract.

Stress or other illnesses can weaken your rat's immune system and cause your rat to break with an active mycoplasmal infection. Over-crowding, bad ventilation, dirty cages and unsafe bedding (especially cedar and pine), which can cause build-ups of ammonia with the cages, can all damage the respiratory system's own protective capacity. Vitamin A or E deficiencies may also be predisposing factors.

How is it transmitted?



Clinical signs are typically not evident until an advanced stage of disease is reached. Since myco is an upper respiratory disease, which involves the nose and middle ears, the most common signs are sniffling, rough hair coat, red discharge from the eyes/nose (porphyrin), and sneezing. If the inner ear becomes involved, torticollis (a head tilt, more commonly known as wry-neck) may occur. Also look out for hunched posture, chattering, weight- loss and laboured breathing. If not treated quickly, death is an utmost certainty, although the last, terminal, stages may go on for months.






