[Chthonicfox]

One of my ratties has become a frequent sneezer. There is no porphyrin around his nose or eyes, but I noticed that sometimes when he sneezes there's porphyrin in the droplets and I've noticed some porphyrin stains where he sleeps and sneezes on the towels. I've started him on echinacea, and it has helped a lot, but I am still concerned about the porphyrin in his sneezes. Is it time for antibiotics?

If so, what is the general cost of these? What is the best kind to get?

 

[Poppyseed]

I would try to rule out environmental things at first. My rats sneezed frequently and I switched to unscented detergent for my bedding and it worked wonders! They still get something up their nose and sneeze a lot. I think I brought a tiny yarrow flower in today and they were sneezing up a storm for a while after that! They have since quieted down after the flower had been put away...

What bedding do you use? Are all your carpets vacuumed and nothing around you is scented (like air freshner)? Rule out these things first and if he still sneezes like crazy I would take him to the vet after a few days if you have made any changes. Some rats respond well to medication for just sneezes, others need to be on it for life or for a month or more ): If the medication doesn't work after a few days it's probably never going to work and you need to try something else.

 

[Chthonicfox]

His floors are covered in a towel with Y'sN for his litter box. The carpets on the floor are vacuumed frequently and I don't use air freshners or Febreeze or that sort of thing in my room (where is his cage is). I'm going to see about an unscented detergent - I've never thought about that before. I can't smell anything on his towels but perhaps he can. Thanks for the input

 

[Poppyseed]

It's amazing. I thought the same thing 'I can't smell anything so they can't!' I switched to unscented and the amount they sneeze decreased DRAMATICALLY!' It's not expensive at all too and can be found at most grocery stores.

Get the unscented hypoallergenic kind. I think if you need to get a strong smell out you can use vinegar in your wash.