New Rat Sick?

Question
We just got two female rats 12 days ago from Petsmart. This is our first time with rats. They are almost 8weeks old I think. Daisy started sneezing about three days after she came home. I can't tell if it's sneezing or she is trying to blow something out of her nose. Sometimes it almost sounds like a puffing sound. Like if we were blowing out a candle but out our nose. She kept going down my shirt and I wonder if my deodorant bothered her.  We have changed the bedding brand twice and tried just paper towels. I clean the cage often. No discharge from her eyes or nose. Eats and drinks very well, is active and friendly. We have given them Cheerios, grapes, carrots, yogurt drops, vitamin C drops for rats, wheat macaroni and their regular rat food. They come to us on their own when the door is open but I wonder if I have handled her too much and scared her sick. Both of them have fallen asleep in my arms for as long as 15 minutes. I stopped wearing perfume.She doesn't appear to be having difficulty breathing.We love our little babies. Sorry this is so long but we are worried. We called vets in our area and they don't do exotics. One offered to euthanise her!!!! Thank you for any help.

Answer

Cardboard wall Is she eating and drinking ok?   Its fairly common for new rats to sneeze and that doesnt mean they are sick.
As for being able to handle and hold them for 15 minutes, thats great, that is absolutely a good sign that they are bonding and no, you cannot handle them too much. The only time I suggest NOT to handle them is when you first get them and they are terrified of you. Its best to let them come out on their own like your girls do. I do suggest a designated play area though, so check out my website and also refer to the photo in the corner of a really easy and inexpensive cardboard wall to use to contain the girls in their own play area. You can make it yourself as big as you want and surround their cage with it so they can come out on their own during play time and you can add their own rat toys in it plus of course, you yourself can sit on the floor inside the play area.  I used to spread mine out the entire length of the room and they had tons of room to play and run.

As for diet, check out my website on proper diet. Rats should never have more than 15% protein and 5% fats. Protein is too taxing on the rats kidneys and this is one of the most common causes of death in older rats which is sad because with proper diet,kidney disease can be avoided. Seed mixes are just not nutritious enough for rats, contain too many fatty seeds, high protein seeds and nuts etc...and the hard corn in the mix is a carrier of a fungus that is a known carcinogen. Bad news! They usually pick out their favorite pieces anyhow which may be sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds and leave the rest go to waste.
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since your new to rats, I think you may enjoy my site. I am working on a new page now about rat disease and debunking alot of myths from rabies to other disease that rats cannot give to us!

Here is the url:

http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/ratsandahealthydiet.htm

let me know what you think!