My rat is seemingly always sick!

Question
I got my rat Uno when he was only 7/8 weeks old, from the pet store I have bought all my rat from! (they come from a breeder, I know her) Well Uno was always with my older male Buddy, I only quarantined for 5 days and all was good! Well Buddy loved Uno, so they are in the same cage. Well after about a week Uno had hoping around his nose never his eyes? So I changed bedding and it went away. Well it has been like 2 months and now he makes this wheezing chirping sound. Given I am only 13 and my parents think of rats as a disposable pet, they say no vet! I know I shouldn't have the pet cause I can't afford the vet, I didn't come here to be told "you can't afford the vet, you can't afford the pet." I can't but these were really cheap rats and I know the breeder, but she just gives the store the babies! The store sells them for $3.99ea so I don't really know why Beth breeds them of how? I have no idea if she breeds for pets or what, but all I know is she breeds and gets a lot of blues, and greys! Well anyway I previously read something about a lady who had a rat that made strange noises and it was abscesses in the lungs, I don't know what that is exactly, but from assumptions I am guessing an abscess in the lungs. Sadly Uno also has really thin fur and was attacked by alpha Buddy when the cage got placed by the girls. So I had to separate because Buddy kept barbering the wound, well anyway all 4 males are together again. Uno is second in charge and never has fights. Recently I got rid of my females, and now am wondering what I can do for Uno! Btw they all eat Kaytee Forti-diet, and live on either kiln dried pine or aspen, and sometimes even no toxic newspaper, which Uno likes best. Maybe you can help me figure out what is  wrong with Uno?

Answer
She needs a better diet and taken off of pine bedding, which is toxic to rats.  Kaytee diet is not nutritious enough for rats and can even cause loss of fur as well as scabs and sores through out the fur.


You were not very descriptive as to what all was wrong with your rat in order for me to help her.  Lung absceses are a big deal and cause the rat to be very ill.

                                                                      Please check out my website on information for proper diet for rats.                                                                                                                                                http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/ratsandahealthydiet.htm