fancy rat health

Question
I did own two pet rats until recently, and one died having a abcess removed, though the vet said he had a bit of cold as well, now my other rat seems to be breathing funny making a noise all the time like a rattling sound, and he is getting on hes nearly 2 and he has a lump on his side, I dont want to take him to the vet and they might put him to sleep, he seems to be eating and drinking ok and no signs of red discharge coming from his nose and he isnt scrunching up in a ball and his coat is as normal has its always been, ive been giving him a healthy diet and put some menthol stuff in his cage to help him breathe more easily, is there any more herbal remedies you can suggest to help him.

Answer
First of all, I am sorry you lost your rat.  I am a bit confused though as to why the vet removed an abscess?  They do NOT do surgery on an abscess.  They are simply pockets of pus that drain and heal up, they should not be surgically removed.  This is probably why he died!  Also, rats do not catch colds.  If the vet told you this, the vet has no clue what he is talking about.  Rats are totally immune to the 200 plus viruses that cause the common cold virus.  They do suffer from respiratory illness caused by a common pathogen they are born with called mycoplasmosis, but this is far from a cold virus. Signs of myco related illness are making odd sounds when breathing due to congestion, hunching up their body, sneezing, porphyrin from the eyes and nose, which is the brownish red discharge many mistake for blood, and many other signs.  Please read my website for information about it so you will know more on myco in order to be able to fill your vet in, or perhaps print out info for him so he knows more about it. You said you dont want to take the rat to the vet for fear he will put him to sleep. NO VET is allowed, by law, to put your pet to sleep unless you agree to it and sign a legal consent form, so why would you worry the vet would do this against your will?  I would not go to this vet again anyhow. There are too many things he has done wrong to prove he is far from an exotic specialist.  I do believe there are only 11 board certified exotic vets in the UK as it is with the rest simply being general vets that see exotics on the side as a special interest. The UK is pretty far behind the United states as far as the study of exotics including pet rats go.  I know there are only a few approved medications that can be used on rats which means they are very limited as to what to use for various ailments rats suffer from and this means less of a chance to be treated properly.  Hopefully this will change soon as there is a new specialty being offered across the globe which is the practice of treating exotic companion mammals, including rats, mice, hamsters etc....  

Please let me know where in the UK you are. I have a database here and can find a vet for you that knows more about rat care than where you go now.  Also make the next follow up PRIVATE and let me know where you have gone already so I can check out the vets credentials and let you know if this vet is even a legal exotic vet.  I have my doubts that he or she is.  

For now, keep the rat well hydrated and warm. Its good he is not having any major signs of a myco infection but its best to get him treated before there is a flare up.  The lump on his side can be easily removed by a vet that knows how to do it, so dont worry about that. I will find a good vet for you!