We've had our serological testing completed for 2006. The panel done included testing for
SDA, Sendai Virus, KRV, RPV, and Mycoplasma. We also tested for CAR Bacillus.
Please click HERE to see the actual document.
The only changes made to this document were to blot out my last name and add "Property of StellaLuna Rattery". If you have any
doubts of its authenticity, please feel free to contact me. Also note that this document is not to be copied or distributed
whatsoever. Thank you.
As the results can be a bit confusing, I will explain them for you.
-We tested negative for PVM, Sendai, SDA, and RPV.
-We tested false positive for KRV. The original ELISA test came up positive, but the secondary
test for it came back negative. In short, it's a negative, and we don't have it.
-The Myco test came up positive as well, with a negative secondary testing. ALL rats that do
not live in strict laboratory conditions carry Myco. Any other breeder would have the same
results.
-The CAR Bacillus test came up positive.
More information and links...
Click on the items below to read more about them.
Sendai Virus
Kilham's Rat Virus (KRV)/Rat Parvovirus (RPV)
Sialodacryoadenitis Virus (SDA)/Rat Coronavirus (RCV)
Mycoplasma
CAR Bacillus
More on CAR Bacillus (CARB)...
-It is believed to be spread by direct rat-to-rat contact only. There is no concrete proof yet
that it can be spread via fomites.
-Are all rats that have CARB sick? NO. CARB is rarely a primary infectious agent (much like
Myco). Rats can carry CARB (just as they carry Myco) without it ever affecting their health.
However, if a rat becomes ill and its immune system compromised badly enough, CARB may
then become an active third infection (with Myco most likely being the secondary infection).
-It is believed by some that most rats already carry CARB. Some ratteries don't peform any
sort of testing at all (scary thought), and some that do test don't test for CARB.
A member of a rat forum recently posted an interesting bit from an article on a study that was
done in regard to respiratory diseases in rats. The study was comprised of test results from
almost 30 ratteries in the Northwest.
"94% of the rats tested positive for CARB and 93% positive for Myco".
-Is it something a rat owner should worry about?
As CARB is carried, and is rarely a primary infection, it is not something to be terribly
concerned about. Here at our rattery, we have had hardly any problems caused by CAR
Bacillus. Any rats that show tendencies for respiratory illness are not bred. We evaluate the
lines of any rats that exhibit respiratory illness (severe or prolonged) later in life. Health is and
will always be our first priority.
**Please note that we do not know how long CARB has been present in our rattery. This
means that any rats that have ever been adopted from here may, or may not, have CAR
Bacillus.**
As always, please e-mail me with any concerns.
