domesticated rat

Question
Hi, my rat, Buddy, has been acting kind of weird lately. He sleeps all the time (but still is eating). When I got him, he was sort of old, and he has been sneezing/wheezing since I got him. And the other day, I noticed the tiniest bugs on his skin. They had wings and were brown. I saw maybe five. I change his cage every week and I give him plenty of attention, so I don't understand what's happening with him. Should I take him to the vet? How much does it usually cost to have a vet look at a rat?

Answer
Hi Jill!  I would definitely have a veterinarian physically examine your rat.  It sounds as though multiple health problems may be ailing him.  Do you know his exact age?
The bugs that you described definitely sound like mites, which are very common for any caged animal.  Your veterinarian will give you medicine to rid Buddy of these mites. Cleaning his cage every other day will deter the mites from infesting again.  If you are using cedar/pine bedding, you may want to switch to Carefresh or Yesterday's News, which are made of recycled newspaper.  Cedar/pine bedding contains oils that have been proven to cause respiratory problems in small animals.  This may or may not be what is causing the sneezing/wheezing.  Sneezing/wheezing can be caused by upper respiratory infections as well, in which an antibiotic will need to be prescribed.  
I am unsure of how much a veterinarian in your area would charge for a vet visit.  Some veterinarian's consider rats as an exotic pet, in which the price of an office visit would be increased.  I wish I could be of more help.
Hilary