Rodents are fascinating little creatures that provide hours of entertainment. They are easy to care for – and most love interacting with their owners. One of the downsides to keeping rodents as pets is that they have a relatively short lifespan. The best way to keep your rodents healthy and improve their longevity is to provide them with the perfect environment and monitor them closely for illnesses.
If you want to know more about their health, take a look at this list of five health problems that affect pet rodents.
1. Dental Issues, Such as Overgrown Teeth
A rodent’s teeth continually grow throughout their life, and dental problems are common among small animals. Many rodents wear their teeth down naturally when they eat, but sometimes, their teeth can become overgrown and cause health issues. If a rodent has overgrown teeth, it may stop eating and grooming due to mouth pain. Overgrown teeth are easy to spot; you can see them protruding from the mouth or sometimes their cheeks. You should monitor your pet’s teeth regularly to ensure they don’t get to this state.
The main symptoms of dental problems in pet rodents include hypersalivation, loss of appetite, weight loss, and abnormally long teeth. They may also look a bit disheveled if they can’t groom themselves. Chinchillas in particular are prone to overgrown molars, and their teeth can become impacted below the gumline. If you suspect your pet has dental issues, seek veterinary advice immediately. A vet can trim the overgrown teeth, and dental problems aren’t usually fatal. Animals will usually recover quickly after appropriate treatment.
2. Gastrointestinal Disorders From Stress or Poor Diet
Gastrointestinal disorders in rodents affect the digestive system and usually occur due to bacterial or parasitic infestations. Rodents can also suffer from gastrointestinal stasis caused by stress or a poor diet. The main symptom of gastrointestinal upset is diarrhea. Animals with gastric upset may also lose their appetite and become lethargic; they may also be bloated and tender around the abdomen. The most common harmful bacterium in rodents is Giardia, a protozoan parasite. Hamsters are particularly vulnerable to the bacterium Lawsonia, which is severe and life-threatening.
If your pet rodent has symptoms of gastric upset, you must seek professional veterinary advice as soon as possible. Like with most illnesses, your animal has a better chance of recovery if you spot symptoms early and treat the illness promptly. The best way to prevent gastrointestinal disorders is to feed rodents a healthy, balanced diet, and ensure they live in a clean, stress-free environment.
3. Pet Rodents Can Suffer Respiratory Infections
Respiratory infections affect a rodent’s lungs and airways and are most common in mice and rats. Many things can cause respiratory issues, including viruses, bacteria, allergies, and poor living conditions. The risk with respiratory infections is that they can spread to the lungs and cause pneumonia. The best way to prevent respiratory disorders is by ensuring your animals live in a clean, dust-free environment. Dust and dirt irritate mucous membranes and make rodents more vulnerable to infection.
The main symptoms of respiratory infections include:
- Eye and/or nasal discharge
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Sneezing
- Lethargy
- Appetite loss
Animals with respiratory infections may also hold their mouths open and strain for breath. Respiratory conditions in rodents can become chronic or fatal if left untreated, so you must see a vet immediately if your pet has symptoms. A vet usually prescribes antibiotic treatment, and animals can fully recover if owners catch symptoms early.
4. Common Skin Conditions in Pet Rodents
Skin conditions are common in rodents. They usually occur due to lice, mites, or fungal infections like ringworm. Animals with skin conditions are itchy, so the first thing you may notice is excessive scratching. They may also have dry, flaky skin – and in some cases, you may see parasites, such as mites, on their skin and fur. Ringworm is a fungal infection that appears as lesions or scabs on the skin. You must be cautious when handling animals with ringworm – it is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can pass to humans. Use gloves and protective clothing if you must handle infected animals.
Guinea pigs are prone to pododermatitis, an infection on the foot pads, and pet gerbils sometimes get nasal dermatitis, which causes bald or irritated patches around the nose. You must visit your veterinarian if you suspect a skin condition in your pets. The vet can diagnose and treat the condition accordingly. The good news is that rodents can recover from parasites and most skin conditions if you catch and treat them in the early stages.
5. Tumors Can Affect Pet Rodents
Tumors are common among pet rodents, especially unspayed female rats, as they have a high chance of developing mammary tumors. Pet rats are also prone to pituitary, testicular, and skin cancer, but mammary tumors and skin cancer are rare in gerbils and pet hamsters. It’s worth noting that gerbils and hamsters have scent marking glands, which are easy to confuse for tumors. Rodent tumors can be malignant or benign, and in most cases, they are benign.
Tumors in pet rodents can be soft or firm to the touch but are usually movable under the skin. Some aren’t visible, and a diagnosis depends on scans and x-rays. You must see a veterinarian if you find a lump or growth on a rodent’s body. Recovering from a tumor depends on the individual and type of cancer. Some rodents can fully recover with early detection and treatment, but unfortunately, many don’t.
Treatment for tumors usually involves surgery. In severe cases, a veterinarian may recommend euthanasia.
