This article is from the WSSF 2016 AFRMA Rat & Mouse Tales news-magazine.

Robin Solis, Facebook
Q I would like to bring up the topic of incurable Mycoplasmosis that I’ve been experiencing from the same breeder in California for 10 years now. Can you help me with any links to the current official stance and procedure for this problem? Thank you!

A Pretty much all pet rats have Mycoplasma pulmonis. Breeders should be breeding for strong, healthy rats that don’t show symptoms. Also, if the rat has other bacteria/ viruses, it will compound the problem. Here is what Dr. Carmen Jane Booth, D.V.M., Ph.D. says: There is nothing new on treatment for Mycoplasma pulmonis in rodents. Baytril (Enrofloxacin. Bayer) can help with symptoms, but not completely eliminate the bacteria. There is no effective cure and impossible to eliminate in a pet colony situation. All pet rats probably carry it. Some of the rodent viruses when combined with it or a rat that has other underlying disease, then the clinical signs can be worse. Some strains [of rats] are more susceptible and in the pet rat trade that is likely true as well. Here is what I could find from an official source.

We also have several articles on our web site: AFRMA Info Pages: Health Care: Respiratory Problems.

There was a German club several years ago looking into a mycoplasma vaccine that was mentioned in the AFRMA article Mycoplasma Vaccine? Karen Robbins

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