Milo is *still* sneezing :(

[flailinggypsy]

Milo is still sneezing... I don't get it! Antibiotics didn't do anything, I switched from aspen to carefresh thinking he must have an allergy... but still no change. I feel so bad for him. He seems healthy and fine in every other way... very active, eats, drinks, breathing is totally fine, rarely even any porphryn what could be wrong?! Should I try him on another round of antibiotics? I'm at a loss. I just want him to get better.

 

[jorats]

Carefresh is another bedding full of dust. Try using newspaper for a while to see if that's what is causing it.
Some rats are sensitive to scents and dust and debris and will sneeze. You could try benedryl. My mom's Sven sneezed all his life.

 

[flailinggypsy]

Do you mean newspaper bedding or actual newspaper? I'm going to give their cage another super wash and try that! thanks!

 

[rhapsody]

Carefresh is another bedding full of dust.

:yeah: Carefresh product quality has really gone downhill. Never had problems with it several years ago, but now some of my rodents have developed sensitivities to it.

 

[jorats]

Real newspaper for now. Just so you can rule out the bedding.

 

[flailinggypsy]

So I had my boys on just news paper for a while, and then tried just using a fleece blanket. Milo is still sneezing. Still very active, still eating and drinking, still rarely has any porphyrin, still breathing totally fine... I don't get it.

 

[jorats]

Which antibiotics did you try? and for how long?
It could very well be just who he is. My mom had a rat sneeze all his life.

 

[mamarat]

I've had a few rats sneeze all their lives. Tried Benadryl for a while but nothing really worked. Sven lived to 34 months and Sara, 29 months. Good luck with your sweetie.

 

[flailinggypsy]

Yeah, maybe its just him. I hope so... he sure sneezes a lot... like right now, he's sneezed repeatedly for like a minute straight. Poor little guy. He does seem healthy in every other way... if he was sick or had an infection, I imagine the antibiotics would have worked and he would be showing at least some other signs of illness by now. I'm going to try not to worry... Haze had a bit of an URI and immediately I could hear the crackling noise, put him on antibiotics and it went away very quickly, so surely Milo would be showing more symptoms by now if he were sick, I've had him since the beginning of January, so that would be a pretty long time to be sick without symptoms.

Thanks for all your help. I'm so glad I have this forum to come to and talk with people who understand, when I'm worried.

 

[mamarat]

If you remove all meds just keep a very close eye on him and watch for new symptoms or if he gets worse. I had a rat allergic to all store bought stuff. Everything had to be aired out before putting in the cage even the toys. Good luck with your sweetie.