[breyer08]

First, I would ask the vet to extend their prescription for longer than two weeks. If you are seeing improvement on the meds, that is a good sign, so you need to make sure they get a long enough course of ABs to work through their system. Baytril and doxycycline are the best combination, so stick with that and try to go for three full weeks, if possible.

In terms of their environment, I would switch out the carefresh bedding for polar fleece blankets. Carefresh is probably the best bedding that you can buy at pet stores, but it still creates dust, which is something you want to avoid. Go to your local craft store and buy a few yards of polar fleece (see the scrap bins with clearance prices--often they will have leftovers of fleece for really cheap!). Line the cage with the fleece, and cut up little blankies for them, too. I change mine out every couple of days, and wash them in the washing machine each week. I have been able to reuse them for the longest time now, which has saved me a lot of money over the past 2.5 years!

 

[breyer08]

It is VERY easy to litter train rats for bowel movements, at least. Urine is something they just do wherever they feel like! Get a low tray to use as their litter box, and get some Yesterday's News cat litter (be sure to buy the cat one and NOT the kind labeled "Small Animal". It's the exact same litter, but they jack up the price on the small animal bag!) Put all of their little poops in the tray, and they should eventually start using it exclusively.

As far as general cleaning/maintenance is concerned, yes--I spot clean every day (usually morning and sometimes evening if needed) with unscented baby wipes. I do a complete cage cleaning once a week in which I actually clean with soap and water all of their cage parts and plastic toys/houses, as well as vacuum the area around their cage and playpen. Since Russell passed away last month, I just have Stanley to care for now, so I'm not having to change the fleece blankets quite as frequently. When I had both boys, I changed them out about every two days, and did "rat laundry" in the regular washer/dryer once a week. Very easy and cheap!

The most important thing is to eliminate the dust in their environment, which is why I strongly recommend switching to fleece blankets.

 

[breyer08]

I doubt the hairspray in the morning would have caused the afternoon sneezing. Hold him up to you so that your ear is pressed against the side of his chest, and listen to his lungs. Do they sound raspy, liquid, or gurgling? Continue giving him the medication, and make sure he is getting his full dose, but also listen to both sides of his chest every day to hear for any signs of change in his breathing.

 

[breyer08]

Unfortunately, some do. My Russell was on and off ABs almost his entire life, and he just passed away at the end of November at the age of 28 months. Rats can lead a good, full life on ABs, but they do take a lot of extra care and need great nutrition.

 

[breyer08]

Did you see a marked improvement while they were on the ABs?

 

[breyer08]

Okay, that sounds a lot like what happened with my Russell. He ended up being on ABs almost his entire life, but he lived a happy, fun life for 28 full months. You might end up having to keep them on the ABs, but just continue monitoring them every day. You'll get to know exactly how they are feeling by watching them and listening to their lungs every day.