New Orleans Rat Removal Tip: How Can You Tell if A Rat is Sick?

Rats are foragers who get into all types of dirty little areas. They live near water sources and take up residence in attics, basements, crawlspaces or any other musty area. They crawl through all types of trash and debris in some pretty grotesque areas. Great caution should be exercised when dealing with these rodents.

Even if you are eradicating, it is necessary to wear the proper protective equipment. They can transmit diseases to humans and household pets a number of different ways. Many of the illnesses they carry can be deadly.

Although caution should always be exercised, dealing with a sick rodent is extra cause for concern. Rats typically try to avoid humans. However, if you do come into contact with one it is helpful to know if it is sick.

Sickness in Rats

Rats may exhibit different symptoms, depending on the type of illness they have and the length of time they have been sick. Not only are most of the illnesses highly contagious to humans and household pets, but they are contagious among other rats.

A single female can produce twenty-four babies per year. That could translate into a lot of sick rats. Not only will the mother and all twenty-four offspring be sick, but they will infect any other animal and rodent they come into contact with.

Signs of Illness

One tell-tale sign that a rat is sick is if it seems to be losing hair. Sometimes large patches of hair may fall out or it could come out a little at a time. You may see hair that has fallen off near areas the rats frequent.

Other symptoms that point to illness in rats is abnormally long teeth and a crimson color around the nose, eyes, or both. Rats need to chew constantly because their teeth never stop growing. Chewing helps cut their teeth back to keep them the right size. When they stop doing this, there is something wrong. Nasal discharge is another sure sign of sickness in rats.

Other signs of sickness include gurgling or loud breathing, sneezing and tilting the head to one side. If you see a rat moving slowly, it is probably ill. Rats are fast little creatures that go out of their way to avoid human contact. A slow-moving rat is a sick rat.

The Danger of Infection

The danger of infection when dealing with rats is typically pretty high. However, dealing with a sick rat elevates the risk altogether. There is really no way to know for sure if a rat is sick without having it tested. However, if you think it is then it probably is.