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Anonymous
So sometimes one of my rats makes weird noises when he breathes. It's not all the time, but it kinda sounds like "chirping" rapidly or something. He also seems to sneeze a lot throughout the day.

Is there something wrong? going to the vet isn't really n option due to money, and I want them to be ok...
>> Anonymous
respiratory infection, more than likely mycoplasma. what bedding do you have? regular pine and cedar are really bad for ratties as the dust and ammonia from their pee cause irritation to the respiratory system and often times respiratory infections. Aspen bedding is okay, but the best stuff is probably careFRESH ultra. regular careFRESH is good too but it smells like wet cardboard when it gets wet so change the bedding often. if your rats have only recently started sneezin and whatnot then a quick change of beddings should let it clear up on it's own. if they've been doin it for a while though, get them to the vet when you can, cause they'll need some antibiotics.
>> Anonymous
>>344850
I've just been using shredded paper towels and napkins and stuff as their bedding.

When you say "if they've been doing it for a while", how long is "a while"? They've been doing it a couple weeks maybe, we can't really get them to the vet though.

We're gonna get them some regular bedding so that should be fine...I've got a lot of cardboard boxes in there for them to run around in, could that be part of whats causing it? Them getting soaked with pee?
>> Anonymous
>>344859
the paper towels and napkins probably isn't holding the ammonia well, and it may be irritating their nasal passages and lungs. also, if the area you keep them in isn't regularly swept it may be part of the cause.
the boxes may be adding to the problem if they're peeing in them. make sure you give them new boxes every 2-3 days.

and by "a while", i mean a month or more. if they've only been doing it for the past couple weeks then it's more than likely a mild infection. it should mostly clear up on it's own but they may have some permanent lung damage if you don't do it soon. make sure you use carefresh, also. it's a bit expensive but even a 10L bag should last you 2 weeks.

also, where/when did you get your rats? were they wheezy then?
>> Anonymous
>>344868
The boxes they have have been in there for quite a while...the ones that they regularly stay in, I have little cardboard inserts to absorb the pee that I change every few days. I suppose I'll just have to take the boxes out completely.

I got them a few months ago. I have a horrible memory, but I don't think they were doing this when we first got them. They were only a month old when we took them I think.

I'll just hope that once I clean the cage out and get them their new bedding, it'll clear up. I love them, can't stand to see them sick ;_;
>> Anonymous
>>344868
>also, where/when did you get your rats?

And I got them from some guy on craigslist, not a pet shop. He had several of them he took care of, so I assume they were ok there.