Ratties Rattie Questions

My girlfriend has Rats, and one in particular gets the red crust around her eyes and nose. It's supposed to be linked with respiratory problems.
Munch normally gets it in the morning after waking up.
If you do get this (or any) rat I'd take him to the vet for a checkup just incase.

Respiratory problems was what I was thinking. But, I read that rats can get something called Porphyrin staining, which develops around their eyes and mouth due to stress. Could that be it?

Thanks![FONT=verdana,geneva,arial][/FONT]

Yes you read it righ.... it could be a sign of stress. I've seen many rats suffer from it after being moved, or seeing a vet.

Here are some descriptions...
(broken link removed)

It is not uncommon for rats to have some respiratory problems. They can have some reddish brown crusting around the eyes and nose, and it isn't necessarily serious. But, if your rat has a large amount of secretion and is having trouble breathing, it should probably be taken to the vet. You shouldn't really be able to hear your rat breathing unless your ear is right up close to their face, and breathing should have a normal tempo.

So, if there is only a small amount of secretion and your rat is otherwise fine and shows no other harmful signs, they are probably okay.