What is the name of a disease in rats? - briefly
Rats are commonly afflicted by plague, an infection caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis.
What is the name of a disease in rats? - in detail
Rats are susceptible to a wide range of infectious and non‑infectious conditions that are identified by specific disease names. The most frequently encountered illnesses include:
- Yersinia pestis infection – commonly called plague; transmitted by fleas, produces fever, buboes, and can be fatal if untreated. Laboratory rats serve as reservoirs for studying the pathogen.
- Streptobacillus moniliformis infection – known as rat‑bite fever; acquired through bites or scratches, causes fever, rash, arthralgia, and septicemia in humans.
- Leptospira interrogans infection – leptospirosis; spread via contaminated urine, induces renal failure, hepatic dysfunction, and hemorrhagic manifestations.
- Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium – salmonellosis; gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, and systemic infection, often used as a model for human food‑borne disease.
- Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome – caused by hantaviruses such as Seoul virus; transmitted through aerosolized rodent excreta, leads to fever, respiratory distress, and high mortality rates.
- Rickettsia typhi infection – murine typhus; flea‑borne, produces fever, headache, and rash; rats act as primary reservoirs.
- Sialodacryoadenitis virus (SDAV) – coronavirus affecting the lacrimal and salivary glands; signs include swollen facial glands, conjunctivitis, and reduced grooming.
- Mycoplasma pulmonis – respiratory mycoplasmosis; chronic pneumonia, nasal discharge, and reduced growth in laboratory colonies.
- Rat coronavirus (RCV) – causes enteric disease; diarrhea, weight loss, and occasional mortality in young animals.
- Typhlocolitis – inflammation of the cecum and colon, often linked to bacterial overgrowth or dietary factors; presents with diarrhea and weight loss.
Each disease is characterized by a distinct etiologic agent, typical clinical presentation, and mode of transmission. Diagnosis relies on culture, serology, PCR, or histopathology, while control strategies include quarantine, sanitation, vector management, and, where available, vaccination. Understanding these specific disease names and their attributes is essential for effective veterinary care, laboratory animal management, and public‑health risk assessment.