I don't know if there's something wrong with my pet rat?

Okay so I have two female rats. They live together in their cage and I let them out to play all the time. I've had them 7 months. Ellie has ALWAYS been very social with humans, dogs, my rabbit, and my cat (yes I know). Every time you walk in the room, she runs to the door of the cage for me to let her out so she can explor my bedroom. She's soooo sweet. Elsa, the other rat, is sweet too, but not AS explorative and social with other species as Ellie, which I understand because different personalities. But the past few days, Ellie (the very social and playful one) has been extremely lethargic. She doesn't run to the door of the cage and even when I open the door, she hesitates to explore (which is VERRRYYY weird) and i don't know if it's just me thinking the worst but it almost seems like she's breathing heavier too. But the really weird thing is, Elsa's personality has changed to what Ellie's used to be. She's really playful. And when they are just chillin in their cage Elsa is always cuddling Ellie as if she comforting her? It's just so depressing to see Ellie go from so playful to randomly all sick looking.

Sage2016-09-03T16:02:01Z

Ellie is ill.
Rats, as you know, are extremely compassionate to their cagemates, especially when they're ill; even if they didn't get along before.

How old are the rats? Rats have an averaging lifespan of 2.5-3 years, though roughly 2.5 is most common. Ellie, the seemingly lethargic rat, could be passing of old age if she has reached two.

However, if she is under two, I think it might be something with the lungs. Lung issues are incredibly common in rats. Pneumonia, URI, lung cancer - anything you can think of, they can get it, and commonly do. One of the symptoms is heavy breathing and lethargy; definitely get her to a vet. She's in pain.

?2016-09-02T23:09:26Z

Maybe separate the 2 rats.

bette2016-09-03T01:45:38Z

Pls take her to the vet!