Rat sneezing and popping (sound).

Question
QUESTION: Hi. I got two rats at Petco (I checked papers and craigslist with no luck so that was the only place other than PetSmart). One bites quite a bit so I can't pick him up with bare hands. The other is slightly larger. Both showed no signs of sneezing when I bought them (I watched them for a while). I got them home and one sneezed for a couple days until I changed from CareFresh to fleece flooring. Now the other one started sneezing more (seemed okay for the first day). They were fine in the store but they didn't get along very well in their new cage so I had to close off the level and separate them. I spent a couple days letting them spend time with each other but they kept fighting (fur was flying a bit).

Well now the other one started sneezing. I figured it was stress or just the new environment. When he sleeps, he barely sneezes, but today I noticed he was standing in his cage sort of making a small heaving motion. Then he went into his igloo to sleep. While he's in there, I can hear off and on, not steady) a quiet popping sound from time to time.

Will this go away on its own or do I need to see a vet? I'd like to avoid the vet IF possible because of the high costs but if it's something serious, I'd like to catch it in time. I just don't know if I'm over-reacting as a new rat owner or if I should be concerned. They both breathe the same, no sides going in, just fast in/out motions. No stains around the eyes or nose.

Any help would be appreciated.

ANSWER: Hi

Normally I would say that its the new environment, but to be safe,I would really see a vet to be sure.  

THe best bet is an exotic vet because any other vet that doesnt really know what they are doing will waste your money and time that the rat doesnt have to waste.  If you need names I will gladly give you some names just let me know your location.

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

QUESTION: hanks for the reply. After I wrote, I noticed he was still in his igloo, hadn't eaten much all day and had some staining around his nose. We had a vet appointment for our dogs yesterday morning but he said he doesn't specialize in rats. We called and Petco said he's still under warranty so we could bring him back and they would send him to their vet and I could have him back when he was better. I took him in (after a second call to confirm with a second employee) and filled out an address slip, they put him in the back and said it would be around 10 days for the treatment, a day or so to make sure it worked and maybe a second round. THEN I read online where people did that and never got their rat back (it went to some other store or back into the store cage where someone else bought it or used as food). So now I'm worried. I asked while I was in there and the woman said I'd get him back as long as he responds to treatment and something about how you can never tell with small animals. Ug.

I came home and cleaned the cage and everything in it. My first rat walked around outside the cage and slithered behind a stand in my room and I'm sure it's dusty back there, but he's been sneezing more (like when I first got him a week ago). Now I don't know if he caught whatever my other one had or if it's because I cleaned the cage last night (put in the piece of fleece he originally had that I used when I first him), or the Green spray stuff I used (I used that to disinfect and then water to rinse) or....? He used to try and fight with my other one every time I tried to introduce them and I don't know if missing a rat would make him sneeze. I think I read where they sneeze when you change their bedding but would it go on for over 12 hours? He's got a fresh towel and toilet paper. Nothing is different in there. Maybe he got a little stressed when I took him out (it took a while because I have to use a towel to pick him up since he still bites).

The sneezes aren't non-stop, but there are quite a few. Some times a few in a row or a few in a minute.

He's eating well. He's eating now actually and is sitting on his bowl. He sneezes in pairs, about half a dozen in the last 20 seconds. Just little ones, not like the louder squeaky sneezes of my other rat. It's exactly how he sneezed when I first got him (even though I didn't see him sneezing in the pet store). He stopped after a couple days, though. Then just random sneezes and now back to more.

Answer
The vets that most of these stores use are not exotic vets. You should call and tell them you want him back and take him to your own vet. Trust me. The people on the net are right.  They dont resell the rat, they have been known to drop it in the feeder bin. That is so unfair to do that to a pet rat. I would get him back as soon as now.  Forget the warranty he is under. He isnt a new exhaust system on your car or a new pair of shoes. He was your pet rat. I dont trust those large pet store chains as far as I can throw them!