Mycoplasmosis is the most common respiratory disease in rats. Also known as murine respiratory mycoplasmosis (MRM), this disease is caused by a bacterium that is very common in pet rats and is chronic and progressive.
The pathogen that causes mycoplasmosis is a very small bacterium called Mycoplasma pulmonis. Most of our pet rats carry this pathogen without developing any symptoms. The pathogen is usually transmitted in the womb during gestation, but infection is also possible through direct contact, droplet infection, or a non-specific infection in humans.
However, the disease usually does not break out until much later. Triggering factors for this can be unsuitable housing conditions, other underlying diseases, feeding errors, or stress. All of these factors lead to a weakening of the natural immune system, allowing the mycoplasma to multiply excessively.
Outside the organism, the pathogen is rather unstable and remains infectious for only a very short time, especially in dry conditions.
The pathogens colonize the organism primarily in the nasopharyngeal region and middle ear, where they cause damage to the cell walls of the mucous membranes through metabolic waste products. The initial symptoms are therefore limited to the upper respiratory tract and are rather nonspecific. Affected rats sniff and sneeze conspicuously and have watery nasal discharge.
As the disease progresses, the lower respiratory tract is also affected, leading to rattling breathing sounds, shortness of breath, and a significant disturbance of the general condition. The animals' natural grooming instinct is impaired, their fur begins to look dull and shaggy, and the orange-reddish secretion of the Harder's gland (an additional gland in the rat's nictitating membrane) can accumulate and stick in the inner corner of the eye. The animals begin to eat less and lose weight.
If the ear is colonized, middle ear inflammation can occur, resulting in head tilt and coordination disorders. A genital form of mycoplasmosis can also occur. Infection of the female reproductive organs leads to severe inflammation and subsequent abortions.
It is not always easy for veterinarians to conclusively diagnose mycoplasmosis in rats, as the pathogen is difficult to cultivate in the laboratory and is also found in the nasopharyngeal cavity of most healthy animals. There is therefore no reliable method of detection. The attending veterinarian must therefore make the diagnosis primarily on the basis of a thorough clinical examination and a detailed preliminary report from the owner. If lung problems are present, the diagnosis can be confirmed with the aid of X-rays. In mycoplasmosis, only individual lobes of the lung are often compacted.
Since the pathogen cannot be precisely identified, the veterinarian must begin treatment with a recommended antibiotic. If the medication is ineffective, another active ingredient must be used. However, even if treatment is successful, the antibiotic will not eliminate all mycoplasma and the animal will remain a carrier. Medications that stimulate the immune system, inhalation, and special vitamin supplements may also be used to support the healing process.
IMPORTANT: Please do not administer vitamin supplements yourself, as these can cause more harm than good to your rat if given in the wrong dosage!
Along with antibiotic treatment, the animal's care and diet must always be optimized. Triggering factors in this area must be eliminated, as otherwise relapses can easily occur.
The prognosis depends on the time of diagnosis and the extent of the disease. If the bronchi are already severely damaged and the lungs are affected with severe respiratory distress, the prognosis is poor. Even in mild forms of the disease, only a cautious prognosis can be made. Despite successful treatment, the animals remain carriers of the pathogen and may suffer relapses.
Due to the widespread occurrence of the pathogen, the disease cannot be completely prevented. However, the risk of infection can be significantly reduced with the help of simple measures. These measures include optimized and species-appropriate housing and feeding, cleanliness and hygiene, and the avoidance of stress. Keeping large numbers of animals in confined spaces, transport, and temperature fluctuations should therefore be avoided as much as possible.
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