Rat Health Update: SDA Virus

» Aoede - Oh no! I think my rat has it...

I'd never heard of this disease before, but my rat got an abcess on his neck behind his ear that started out just as a lump but then went black and is all pussy.
He's had it for a few weeks now, and also has an orange rash on his skin, and his hair is falling out. His face always looks wet like his eyes are weeping. He sneezes ALL the time but has since I got him.
He doesn't like to eat and always falls over onto his side. He also has a swollen foot.
He doesn't take the time to clean himself properly anymore.

Could this be the disease? I think he's getting another lump. Should I pop the abcess? I'm really scared! Please help...He's about two and a half if that helps.

-- posted by Aoede

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» habeocatapultam - Oh no! I think my rat has it...

In response to Oh no! I think my rat has it... posted by Aoede:

That doesn't quite sound like SDA to me, but I have limited experience with it and am not sure what other diseases cause that.

As for my own experience with SDA...

I was reading up on ratty diseases and such, as I do periodically (I like to be up-to-date) and came across the rmca's page on SDA. I scanned it, filed it away in my brain, and then didn't think about it again.

Two days later, I came home from work to find my favorite rat (I know we're not supposed to play favorites, but I can't help it!) Ru hunched over, hair sticking out, eyes bulging, neck swollen, and the worst congested breathing I've ever heard. I have recently moved and haven't yet found an emergency clinic in my area. The next day was Sunday, which ruled out the regular clinic, and to make matters worse it all came at a financially unpleasant time. Even if I could afford the examination, I probably couldn't afford the treatment. I knew what the inevitable result would be without treatment, and, of course, I cried my eyes out. Three days later, Ru was dead.

Now her cousin, Sybil, is showing symptoms. They aren't nearly as severe as Ru's were, so I think her chances of survival are much better, but unfortunately I still cannot afford treatment. It's no one's fault but my own -- only a few days before Ru's first symptoms I had introduced two new females without proper quarantine.

I CAN NOT STRESS ENOUGH how important it is to quarantine new rats! Be wary of even the best pet stores. I work in the small & furry department of a certain pet store, and even though I'd say our rats are probably the healthiest pet store rats you'll find (never sold as feeders!), they can still carry diseases. They may never show acute symptoms, but the results can be deadly for any existing rats.

I've learned that the hard way, and I will always regret it.

-- posted by habeocatapultam

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