i know it isn't rabies cause its a clear color. and he isn't sneezing or having trouble breathing. its just the saliva...help!
This is a definite sign of illness. Rats are pray animals in the wild, so the instinctively hide any signs of sickness so they do not stick out as food. The fact that you can see such a symptom is not good.
What it most likely is, is over-grown teeth. Gently lift up the lips, and check the tooth length and whether they align into each other properly. usually, if teeth grow too long, they misaligned, and the rat is unable to grind them together to trim them down, let alone eat or drink. This typically causes drooling. If this is the case, you need to go to a vet for them to clip the teeth. Do this SOON because if the rat is unable to drink and eat, it will die of dehydration.
Otherwise, it may be linked to a stroke or even respiratory infection. Does the rat have any red stuff around the nose and/or eyes? Is the breathing completely silent, or somewhat noisy? Please take your pet to a vet for analysis. Or do some research yourself:
http://www.petratscanada.com/ratcare.htm
http://ratguide.com/
What it most likely is, is over-grown teeth. Gently lift up the lips, and check the tooth length and whether they align into each other properly. usually, if teeth grow too long, they misaligned, and the rat is unable to grind them together to trim them down, let alone eat or drink. This typically causes drooling. If this is the case, you need to go to a vet for them to clip the teeth. Do this SOON because if the rat is unable to drink and eat, it will die of dehydration.
Otherwise, it may be linked to a stroke or even respiratory infection. Does the rat have any red stuff around the nose and/or eyes? Is the breathing completely silent, or somewhat noisy? Please take your pet to a vet for analysis. Or do some research yourself:
http://www.petratscanada.com/ratcare.htm
http://ratguide.com/
I agree with the over grown teeth. Take the rat to the vet and they can clip them down for you, don't attempt it yourself if you haven't been shown the proper way.
Also, rats will drool if there is something caught in their throat since they cant vomit. Is it making retching movements like a cat would? If so, there isn't really anything you can do about this.
Take your rat to the vet anyways and have him checked out.
Good luck and I hope everything goes good!
Also, rats will drool if there is something caught in their throat since they cant vomit. Is it making retching movements like a cat would? If so, there isn't really anything you can do about this.
Take your rat to the vet anyways and have him checked out.
Good luck and I hope everything goes good!
Rat mommy for 7+ years