This is the first time I've had rats, I've had them about a year and the only problems I've had to deal with so far are recurring respiratory problems (one of them sneezes sometimes and on occasion has porphyrin mucus on his nose. I've taken him to the vet two to three times (all of which we came back with antibiotics which were used, helped the problem and then the problem would start again) and I believe he is just more prone to it. I keep a close eye on him and he has never started wheezing terribly or anything. I recently tried Echinacea for a week and that helped, but they build up a resistance quickly I've heard so I have to take a break from it for a little while) anyway!
Yesterday my rat Sebastian started squeaking in what seemed to be pain after I removed him from the travel cage I put them in when I clean the actual cage. His brother (with the respiratory problems) has been bullying him more than usual and I suspect Sebastian isn't the dominant one anymore. Anyway, every so often, or when I touch him he would squeak in what looked to be pain. He seemed to be elevating his tail slightly. It didn't seem like any of his limbs were hurt and he isn't bleeding anywhere.
After 20 mins I called his breeder and she told me he was probably constipated due to me feeding him excess dry pasta. He still wants to be as active as ever but he keeps hurting himself when he tries to run around and play. Nice bright eyes and he has relatively sleek fur. Both of them have lost some weight recently as they were quite overweight and I think this is due to me not feeding them junk food anymore and limiting the size of their meals. I have put him in their old cage to separate him from his brother, because he has decided to bully Sebastian more now that he gives up very quickly and squeaks a lot. I really think he's hurt somehow.
So basically, if this does sound like constipation to you, how can I handle it? The breeder told me to only feed him apple juice and water and I'm doing that.
Is it a good idea to keep them in separate cage? I want to in order for them to not hurt and bully each other now that Sebastian isn't well, and also to monitor how much Sebastian is pooping and eating by himself, and also so I can feed his brother.
If this doesn't sound like constipation, what else could it be? Please any ideas could help. Has this happened to your rat before?
And also, rest assured I will take him to the vet if this continues any longer. As mentioned I have before for cases of the sniffles, my new study desk will just have to wait a little longer I guess
Thanks for reading!
