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Rattery News

11/22/2016 14 Comments

How to make a Nebulizer Chamber for your Rat or Small Pet


This is really easy, relatively cheap and very useful to have on hand when your rat or small pet gets wheezy or congested. This time of year is notorious for upper respiratory distress in our pets, changes in the humidity outside along with us cranking up the central heating dry out the air in our homes making us all more susceptible to seasonal sniffles.

This time last year I had 18 very poorly rats in quarantine.  They had a form of pneumonia which was treated with antibiotics around the clock and it was also recommended to nebulize 2-3 times per day.  I happened to have been given a home nebulizer, so I fashioned a ratty nebulizer chamber so that I could give treatments to several rats at one time.  I'm happy to say that I got the rats well and only lost one but that was actually before I managed to start treatments.

So here is what
you will need:
​

16qt Storage Container
or suitable size for your small pet

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Nebulizer Compressor and Mouthpiece Kit

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These cost about $35, sometimes less if you shop around.  I found this one here ​
Replacement mouthpiece sets are also sold separately
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X-acto Knife & Duct Tape

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You are basically going to hold the end of the mouthpiece up to the short end of the storage box about an inch below the lid and draw around it.  This will mark the hole you need to cut out, and where the mouth piece will be pushed through into the box.  Secure the mouthpiece in the hole with duct tape.  

When you get ready to nebulize your rat, put a small amount of DUST FREE BEDDING in the bottom of the container.  I prefer Kaytee Clean and Cozy for this purpose - I do not recommend Carefresh as it has been known to contain baking soda which is itself a dust! 
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You will need NORMAL STERILE SALINE.  You can purchase from the pharmacy or use something like this:
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The recommended amount is about 2ml of Saline and nebulize for about 15 minutes 2 - 3 times per day.  What this does is loosen and thin the mucus secretions so that your rat can expel them when he/she sneezes.  It also moisturizes the mucus membranes to help ease irritation.  Unlike warm steam (bathroom treatments often recommended by peers) this is a cold sterile mist and will not encourage the growth of bacteria.

As with all recommendations for treatment- CONSULT YOUR VETERINARIAN before you start.  State that you have a home nebulizer and if such treatments would be beneficial to your pet.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to shoot me a PM or comment on this post.
14 Comments
Stacey gray
3/11/2019 12:47:16 pm

You said do this treatment for 15 minutes 2-3 timed daily. But I was wondering how many days/weeks do I do it for? Thank you

Reply
Melly link
3/11/2019 01:20:51 pm

Hi Stacey,

I would recommend nebulizing until you no longer see/hear symptoms. You can decrease the number of times per day you nebulize as you see the symptoms subside in severity. I hope your baby gets better soon.

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Ellie
3/16/2019 06:15:42 pm

Will they get enough oxygen? should I add a few holes for air flow?

Reply
M
11/25/2019 07:00:54 am

Hi - our nebuliser allows up to 6ml in the medicine chamber at once. Our vet gave us F10 for our rat and said it should be 1ml F10 : 250ml water?! I know this should be saline and not water, but was wondering if you think the ratio would stay the same - just a tiny tiny drop of F10 with the saline?

Reply
Michail Rallis
5/9/2020 03:32:37 pm

Cordially, I would like to thank for your trial to help.
God bless all your efforts.

Reply
RazK
7/16/2020 01:41:06 pm

Hi, I hope that you are able to help me out with my rat. He has a lung infection and was wondering which antibiotics to consult the vet with to nebulize him with? He was treated with 0.2ml doxy and 0.04ml enrovet orally for about 5 months but he started sneezing recently again, and showing porphyrin staining around his nose, and also had diarrhea for a while. To treat his diarrhea, we took him off enrovet and treated his with doxy only, along with a Brat diet and his diarrhea came right. Then the porphyrin staining returned and we nebulize him once a day with duolin but he seems to be getting worse everyday. Pleas help, it seems like the vets do not really know how to treat rats here and I end up guiding them, but I myself am going according to research. Please advise what meds I should treat him with? I read that nebulizing is such a great solution but I am doubtful now. My Gus deserves to live a healthy and happy life but I feel like I am falling short of keeping him healthy.

Reply
Melanie DeHaven
8/31/2020 09:42:42 am

Sorry for the late response, how is Gus doing? feel free to reach out via the contact form.

Reply
Debbie
8/31/2020 05:27:59 am

Sadly after about 5 minutes in the Chamber my rat tries to eat his way out I’m worried he’s not getting enough

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Melanie DeHaven
8/31/2020 09:41:21 am

I would put a few snacks, and a friend in the chamber with your rat, it won't hurt anyone. Make sure the chamber has a few air holes/isn't completely sealed.

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Roxy
9/13/2020 10:16:06 pm

I, I have a couple of male rats that no sooner get cleared up with antibiotics it seems and it starts all over again. My vet suggested I get a nebulizer which I did. That was July 20th and last night I decided to get it ready for today as both my guys are not sounding very good at all even though this is day 5 of Baytril. So got it out and threw it on the charger for about 4-5 hrs. Now I know it says it's super quiet but not only could I not hear anything I couldn't feel anything. Am I not doing something right or did I just get a lemon.
Should I not feel anything or does it need to have the medication In and hooked up.
If it is the machine will have to go through the process of sending it back to the company, can't just take it back and replace it so the booklet tells me...

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me. My son did all the research and watched dozens of videos and he then sent me a link to you.
Roxy

Reply
Mehfooz ahmed link
10/14/2020 12:45:08 am

Hey
I really liked your writing style. I recently wrote on article on "Nebulizers" too. Please let me know if you have any suggestions for my blog.
Best Regards,
Mehfooz roy

Reply
Roxy
10/14/2020 03:45:26 am

Okay well who'd of thought, I contacted the company that made my Nebulizer and explained I don't think it works, not a sound did it make. She asked if I put the medicine in the medicine cap which I replied no I didn't want to waste it if Nebulizer didn't work. She said it won't work until you put the medicine in... Duh!
Who'd of thought...

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Baby Rose link
4/13/2021 06:52:58 am

Product is good but it is cool mist nebulizer not steamer and it is good for professional doctor.......not easy to carry...

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Kevin
6/10/2021 01:06:26 am

I bought the nebulizer machine you posted and put the mouthpiece in the container. When I run the machine, the steam also goes out the open end of the mouthpiece on the outside. Should I tape over it so the steam only goes through the mouthpiece that is taped inside the container?

Reply



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    Melanie DeHaven

    Owner/Operator of EVO, all around animal lover and essential oil junkie.


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