Rat breathing

Question
I need to ask you a couple of questions if you don't mind. I did take my rat in to have her mammary tumors removed, but are having questions on her sneezing, when we were in the vets office, she did not sneeze once, at home, she sneezes only when she is running around on the bed and when she is in her cage at night while she is awake, I haven't heard her sneeze when she is sleeping and when I touch her nose after just waking up, it is dry. She also gets congested and I have to steam her in the shower. I only use baby blankets and towels for her which I change everyday and use a dye/fragrance free detergent. After looking for signs of Myco, she rarely has porphyrin on her nose, never her eyes, also has a smooth, soft coat, could it be allergies? If so, what can I give her and at what dosage? The vet that removed her tumors is an exotic that I took my previous rat to, but he said for me not to give her any meds since steaming her takes care of when she is having problems breathing. I don't like that answer especially if there is a drug that will help her. She is already on a Doxy/Batril mix to help if it is Myco. She has been on it daily for 6-7 months now. Please help......I want and try to make her as comfortable as possible, I myself have allergies and know how bad I feel if I forget my meds. Also, do you think I need to change her antibiotic? I worry that she will become immune and I am wasting my time fighting with her to give it to her if it is not helping. Thank You for your advise.


Answer
I don't think you need to change her meds - in my opinion doxy/baytril is pretty much top of the line. Unfortunately for myco related illnesses, the drugs are a maintenance dose, meaning they'll be on it for the rest of their little rattie lives. Sad, but true. As far as her having allergies.. it's very likely. I don't know of any allergy medication that can be used for rats, as I've never looked into it, but that would be an excellent question to pose to Sandra Todd, another expert on this site. She may have a better answer for you regarding that!

I apologize for my delay in answering - I've been out of town!

Good luck.