Anaphylaxis in rats: Allergic reactions.

Just like us, rats can sometimes have allergic reactions to things. Its rare but does happen and it is treated the same way it is treated in us: with antihistamines.

Recently some rats were given garlic flakes in their food. Garlic is good for rats however the dried flakes were very strong and caused a reaction.

Allergic reactions can be minor and cause rashes or itching, and then they can also be quite serious and cause anaphylactic shock. In this case the tongue will swell and so will the airways. This needs to be treated immediately to prevent choking and death.

When this allergic reaction to the garlic flakes occurred three of the rats in the tank had the reaction and one poor girl put her bottom tooth through her swollen tongue.

Above: the girl who put her tooth through her tongue. All girls were Black Eyed White powderpuffs at about 6 weeks of age.

All the rats were taken to North Richmond vet clinic where they were given antihistamines and their little tongues went down. The poor girl who bit through her tongue was also put on antibiotics for the injury (psittavet which is doxycycline) to prevent infection and they all made a full recovery. Little tooth-through-tongue girl now has a wonderful pet home and has had no further allergic reactions to anything.