What can rats be sick with? - briefly
Rats may develop bacterial infections (e.g., salmonellosis, leptospirosis), viral diseases (e.g., Sendai virus), parasitic infestations (mites, fleas, helminths), respiratory conditions (Mycoplasma pulmonis), and neoplastic or metabolic disorders. Prompt veterinary diagnosis and treatment are essential to control spread and ensure animal welfare.
What can rats be sick with? - in detail
Rats are susceptible to a wide range of pathogens that affect their respiratory, gastrointestinal, nervous, and integumentary systems. Common bacterial infections include Salmonella spp., which cause diarrhea and septicemia, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, responsible for pneumonia and bronchitis. Yersinia pestis, the plague bacterium, may produce fever, lymphadenopathy, and rapid mortality in severe cases.
Viral diseases frequently observed in laboratory and pet rats comprise Sendai virus, leading to respiratory distress and nasal discharge, and rat coronavirus, which induces sialodacryoadenitis—a painful inflammation of the salivary and lacrimal glands. Encephalitic viruses such as lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) can cause neurological signs, including tremors, seizures, and lethargy.
Parasitic infestations affect both internal and external tissues. Hymenolepis nana (dwarf tapeworm) produces weight loss and intestinal irritation, while Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (lungworm) migrates through the lungs, causing coughing and reduced oxygen exchange. Ectoparasites like Laelaps mites and Polyplax lice irritate skin, leading to alopecia and secondary bacterial infections.
Fungal infections, though less common, may involve Candida albicans in the oral cavity or Aspergillus species in the respiratory tract, resulting in mucosal lesions and pulmonary granulomas.
Metabolic and degenerative disorders also occur. Diabetes mellitus manifests as polyuria, polydipsia, and weight loss; renal failure presents with elevated blood urea nitrogen and decreased urine output. Neoplastic conditions such as mammary adenocarcinoma and lymphoma appear as palpable masses and systemic wasting.
Preventive measures—proper sanitation, quarantine of new arrivals, regular health monitoring, and vaccination where available—reduce incidence and spread of these ailments. Early detection through clinical observation and laboratory testing enables timely therapeutic intervention, improving survival rates and welfare.