My Rat's Nose is Bleeding??
My Rat's Nose is Bleeding??
If you are seeing red, watery secretions coming from your rat's eyes or nose, they may not be bleeding, they may just be sick or hurt.
A red, bloody nose can be scary if you have never experienced it before. There is a big difference between blood and a red, rusty nose for a rat. Porphyrin is a rusty-brown, watery liquid produced by the Harderian gland behind the rat's eye. It can appear around the eyes or nose and is often mistaken for blood. A small amount can be normal, especially after sleeping or during stress. However, excessive porphyrin on the eyes or nose is cause for concern. Excessive porphyrin is also sometimes referred to as 'red tears'.
Rat eye anatomy:
When do I take my rat to the vet?
If your rat presents with significant porphyrin accompanied by other symptoms, such as lethargy or sneezing, see a vet as soon as possible. Emergency care may be needed if symptoms worsen.
A rat's respiratory system is significantly more sensitive and vulnerable than we may think. It is important to note that stress plus new environments is a lot on a rats system, especially if you are bringing home baby or senior rats. Occasional sneezing after moving homes, cleaning the cage, doing bedding changes, etc. are normal.
What you can do to prevent illness:
Maintain proper husbandry
Ensure proper diet
Minimize stress
Monitor level of air irritants
Check health daily
Helpful Links:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7171457/
Helpful Videos:
