Hi,
I have 2 female rats, about 5 to 6 months old (I got them 2 months ago). Shuka started sneezing a while back but it was never more than one sneeze once in a while. When she started sneezing more, I called the closest Vet to take precaution. After seeing she sounded congested and that Zaho started sneezing too, I brought them both to the Vet for a checkup.

I was told it might only be allergies.. I cleaned the cage, bought new Critter Care for their bedding, made sure it was humid enough around their cage (which is a big 3 story cage), and started giving them the Benadryl (the one for kids that tastes like bubble gum) the vet gave me to clear their noses.

Now, it's been 5 days and it's not better. Zaho is not sneezing anymore (yay) but I can definitely hear Shuka sneezing once in a while. AND, sometimes, I'll hear her make some noises (sometimes when she's about to sleep, and sometimes just randomly while she's playing on my bed). It almost sounds like a crying sound + some clicking some from her nose sometimes.

Shoud I call the vet and try to describe it? She said my ratties were both doing fine and were in perfect shape... But I'm afraid she missed something and Shuka will end up really sick.

Thanks for any help you can provide, I'm really concerned.

It definitely sounds like the early days a respiratory infection. It's a good thing that the noises are only occasionally, but it will get worse if left untreated. Talk to the vet again. Tell him/her that you've done your research and you think she is getting a respiratory infection and that you'd like some antibiotics - specifically 'Baytril'. This is an oral liquid med that you can give once or twice a day (see what the vet suggests). Definitely take her to another vet and ask for the same thing if the first thinks it's unnecessary. You might want to treat both of them if they are both getting sneezy, but see what the vet things. If it's only the one that is congested and making the squeaky clicking noises then stick with her for now, and treat the other girlie too if she gets any worse than the occasional sneeze. If Baytril doesn't clear it up after two weeks then you'll need to ask the vet for a different type of antibiotic. Also avoid any dusty bedding materials etc in the meantime.

Good luck! Try not to worry too much, hopefully it will clear up just fine if you treat it right away-it doesn't sound like it's got to a serious stage yet. Hope it all works out with the vet! :)

Don't worry about it I think you just being afraid as vet I think now your ratties are fine, you can try to make them to more activate.

Maybe this vet doesn't know much about rats. Rats can sneeze from dusty bedding, but respiratory infections are more common than allergies in rats, so they usually treat for that first, then if it doesn't work they try treated for allergies. Chances are they do have a respiratory infection if they sound congested or if their breathing makes a clicking noise. Call the vet back and tell them you think they should go on antibiotics, and if they say your rats are fine, try taking them to another vet. Rats breathing shouldn't make any noises, so if one of your does, she is probably sick.