my rat T. J

Question
QUESTION: I have just bought a dumbo rat. He looks like he is still very young. I got him from petsmart, for my birthday coming up. I have had a couple rats in the past and so have my parents. I have noticed that he has been sneezing, and I'm confused because I don't understand why he is sneezing. He seems to be drinking, and eating fine; he loves to play. Thank you for your time, and I would very much appreciate if you could give me some advice of how I can make him feel better or make his life more comfortable.
         Thanks! And have a great day!

ANSWER: Sometimes new rats sneeze, but they shouldnt.  It depends on the litter/bedding they were kept on, for starters, and also has alot to do with what they are kept on now.  Let me know and we can go from there to determine if your rat needs to be treated by a Vet or if its just the environment that surrounds him and surrounds him now.   find more info on rat care on my  site, sandsycrittercity.com


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well the bedding we have is called "Carefresh Colors." The color of it is a baby blue. Oh and another thing is earlier today around 4:30, 5:00 he was up and about, so i decided to pet him. Then I realized his nose looked a littke bloody, and so did his boogers. Also when I got him I got a paper and on it, it had things to watch for. Well one of the things i saw was that it said " labored breathing: sneezing; discharge from the eyes, nose or mouth. And the sneezing was what caught my eye.
         Thanks again.

Answer
He has porphyrin discharge, so its not blood but it can still indicate illness, esp if its around the eyes.

I would NOT take him to the pet store for treatment....trust me on this.  Please let me find a good vet for your rat and you can  send the bill to the pet store, but pet stores use lousy vets if they use any at all, and most of them treat them behind closed doors, and you rarely get your rat back alive.  PLease dont go back there.