What can a rat get sick with? - briefly
Rats can contract bacterial infections (e.g., salmonellosis), respiratory diseases (e.g., Mycoplasma pulmonis), parasitic infestations (e.g., mites, pinworms) and viral illnesses such as rat coronavirus.
What can a rat get sick with? - in detail
Rats are susceptible to a wide range of pathogenic conditions that can affect virtually every organ system.
Bacterial infections commonly encountered include «Salmonella spp.» which may cause enteritis and septicemia, «Streptobacillus moniliformis» responsible for rat‑bite fever, and «Clostridium perfringens» producing enterotoxemia. «Yersinia pestis» can be transmitted by fleas and result in plague, while «Leptospira interrogans» leads to leptospirosis with renal impairment.
Viral diseases affecting rodents comprise «Sendai virus» (causing respiratory distress), «Hantavirus» associated with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, and «Rat coronavirus» producing sialodacryoadenitis, marked by swelling of the salivary and lacrimal glands.
Parasitic infestations are frequent. Protozoa such as «Giardia duodenalis» induce diarrhoea, while «Toxoplasma gondii» may cause systemic infection. Ectoparasites include «Sarcoptes scabiei» (itch mite) and «Polyplax spp.» (louse), both leading to pruritus and secondary bacterial infection.
Fungal pathogens, though less common, involve «Candida albicans» producing oral and gastrointestinal candidiasis, and «Aspergillus spp.» causing opportunistic respiratory disease in immunocompromised individuals.
Metabolic disorders arise from dietary imbalances: «Vitamin A deficiency» results in ocular and skin lesions; «Calcium deficiency» leads to skeletal abnormalities; «Obesity» increases risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus.
Neoplastic conditions are documented, notably «Mammary adenocarcinoma» in females and «Lymphosarcoma» affecting lymphoid tissue, both presenting as palpable masses and systemic signs.
Common clinical signs across these ailments include weight loss, anorexia, lethargy, respiratory distress, nasal or ocular discharge, diarrhea, skin lesions, and abnormal behavior. Early detection relies on thorough physical examination, laboratory diagnostics (culture, PCR, serology, hematology), and imaging when appropriate.
Effective management combines antimicrobial therapy tailored to susceptibility testing, antiparasitic treatment, supportive care (fluid therapy, nutritional support), and environmental sanitation to reduce reinfection risk. Vaccination is available for selected viral diseases, such as sialodacryoadenitis, and should be incorporated into preventive health programs.
Understanding the spectrum of diseases that can afflict rats enables accurate diagnosis, timely intervention, and improved welfare outcomes.