The Rat Fan Club

Treating Rats with a Nebulizer

By Debbie “The Rat Lady” Ducommun

A nebulizer is a special medical air compressor which vaporizes medications into particles small enough to be inhaled into the lungs, delivering the medications directly to the site of respiratory problems. They are commonly prescribed for people with asthma. The nebulizer is a prescription item; you can’t buy a new one without a prescription from a physician or veterinarian, but you can find used ones to buy on ebay.

There are several companies selling nebulizers on the web, but I ended up buying one locally because I needed it right away. My vet was able to fax the store the prescription. When I called around to local medical supply stores, I found quotes ranging from $100 to $200, and decided to buy the least expensive one, a PulmoMate by DeVillbiss. It has a 3 year warranty. Six months ago, member Susan Nelsen in Madison, WI told me she bought a nebulizer for $70, so apparently the price can vary according to area.

The nebulizer comes in two parts, the air compressor, and a set of disposable plastic pieces that together are the actual nebulizer. The medication is placed inside the disposable nebulizer which is then attached to the air compressor by a narrow hose. The compressor forces air through the nebulizer. The nebulizer pieces are designed so humans can place part in their mouth and inhale. When I purchased my nebulizer, they gave me two plastic sets, and I found one was better suited for use with rats, so if you buy one, be sure to ask to see the nebulizer beforehand. One end must be blocked with plastic wrap.

I bought a 12" X 15" X 5 ½" plastic storage container, drilled 3 holes in one side for air flow, and cut a hole in the other just big enough to insert the tip of the nebulizer. The plastic nebulizer parts must be upright for it to work properly. (See drawing.) I found that the nebulizer puts out a very high volume of vapor so if you run it continuously lots of the vapor will be wasted. I have had good results turning it on for 15-30 seconds, then off for one minute, alternately. During the time it is off, there is still vapor in the box for the rats to inhale, and this method wastes less medication.

When putting medication in the nebuliser, it should be diluted with saline. My vet found some information on using a nebulizer on birds which suggests 10 mg of Baytril and 5 mg of gentamicin in 1 ml of saline, and as a general rule of thumb for other medications, a 1 to 10 solution. It recommended doing 15-30 min treatments every 6-8 hours, but I find that many rats become tired of being in the box after 10-15 minutes and try to chew their way out. Giving your rats treats while in the box can help.

Member Susan Nelsen told me she used a medication in her nebulizer called acetylcysteine (brand name Mycomist) which helps loosen mucus. She said she mixed 1 ml of the 10% solution, or .5 ml of the 20% solution with 10 ml of sterile water, and then did a 30 minute treatment. I have not used acetylcysteine but did consult a pharmacist about it. He said if you wanted to use it in combination with other medications, he would recommend doing a treatment with the acetylcysteine about an hour before a treatment with the other medications. This is so the mucus could have a chance to clear out of the lungs first.

Building a Nebulizer Box

The plastic container I bought is 12" X 15" X 5 ½" and I suggest getting one about this size. Choose one that is clear, so you can observe your rats during the treatment, and one with a lid that fits securely, as they will try to push it off.

Materials

plastic storage container

½" or ¼" wire mesh

24 gauge wire

Tools

drill (optional) or large nail

wire cutters

metal file

utility knife

flame source

scissors with a sharp point or sharp nail

Step 1: With a large drill bit, drill 3 holes along the bottom of one end of the box as shown. If you don’t have a drill, you can use a large nail and heat it over a flame source. Be sure to hold the nail with pliers held in a hot pad to avoid getting burnt.

Step 2: Press the end of your nebulizer tube against the end of the box opposite the drilled holes and draw around it with a felt tip pen. Cut this marked hole out. The plastic was too hard for me to cut the hole with a knife, so I held the blade of a utility knife over the flame of my gas stove to heat it. Then I used the hot blade to melt through the plastic. You have to heat the blade after each small cut. Please use extreme caution when using this method and be sure the room is well ventilated as the plastic vapor is poisonous.

Step 3: Cut a piece of the wire mesh to cover the hole on the inside of the box. Extend it at least ½" on either side of the hole. Make a bulge in the mesh centered over the hole to make room for the end of the nebulizer tube. Carefully file the edges of the mesh so there are no sharp points. This is to keep rats from chewing on the nebulizer nozzle.

Step 4: Hold the mesh in place while marking with felt pen the location of holes for the wire. You can make the holes 3 ways. Poke holes in the plastic with the scissors, hold a sharp nail with pliers over a flame and melt the holes, or drill them with a tiny drill bit.

Step 5: Wire the mesh in place so the ends of the wire emerge on the outside of the box. Twist the wire to hold the mesh securely.

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