when should I do the intro?

[wonderrodent]

So many of you have dealt with sick ratties and introductions and I would like to have more opinions:
I got my new girls Lafawnda and Rapunzel (7 and 9 months old) exactly one month ago. The next day I got them they started sneezing. The girls were quarantined by the breeder for 3 weeks because I don't have anyone who can do it for me. So I could never check on them and don't know if they sneezed during quarantine or not (according to the breeder they didn't but how would I know).
Four days later I went to the vet and she put them both on antibiotics. Their lungs sounded clear it was just the sneezing. Well, they've been on the antibiotics (Vibramycin) for over 3 weeks now and Lafawnda is still sneezing occasionally. What she does is more like a clearing her nose with 3 or 4 really fast "puffs" of air. It's so hard to describe.
It worked for Rapunzel but not for Lafawnda. I had a check up again - lungs still sound great, no wheezing. We put her on Baytril.
I understand that as soon as they entered our house they've been sharing the same air with my other two girls however they have never been in contact with each other. Since the new ones arrived I've been taking care of my girls first, then wash my hands, change my clothes, take care of the new girls and do the same thing including taking a shower. Then I would do the same thing in the evening (there are at least 6 hours in between handling the new girls and the other ones).

Now my question: When can I do the intro? Shall I wait until Lafawnda doesn't sneeze anymore? Even though they are sharing the same air is it still better to keep them away from each other? Does it matter?

PLEASE help me out here! I don't know what to do! Of course I only want the best for my girls but I am so worn out with this shift working. (The girls can smell each other now) Even though the vet said I should keep them away I would like to hear your thoughts (I've already heard different opinions).

[Dorasmommy]

What are you feeding them?  I was feeding my babies a homemade mix but then the vet said it may be too dusty for the youngsters and I switched to lab blocks.  It seemed to curb the sneezing.

[wonderrodent]

They get Mazuri, Harlan-Teklad and Oxbow Regal Rat lab blocks and also fresh veggies and fruit. I just washed their blankets and towels with unscented detergent and she is still sneezing. I also noticed that she does it after she had licked the medicine (mixed with cool whip) off her spoon. It's so weird. I don't know what to do anymore. It is definitely better than it was when I got them but as I said it's not 100% gone. I don't use bedding either, just towels and blankets.

[javakittie]

I wound up dusting, vaccuming, and wiping down every available surface.. I think I even wiped down the walls.. Anyhow, I have a very dusty room. Gotta dust atleast once a week or my allergies get bad. Maybe try that?

Could it still just be stress sneezing? Especially since her lungs sound clear and all..

Oh, and I would go ahead with intros, personally. They're sharing the same airspace, so if it was airborne I would think the others would have gotten it by now.

[wonderrodent]

Well, they are in a huge cage in our second bathroom so there is actually not much in there besides rattie stuff (blankets etc.) and I keep wiping everything. We do have a closet in the bathroom though and hubby and I were just talking about washing all the towels in there because for some reason the closet has a weird smell.
She doesn't sneeze much at all but still, it's there occasionally. I don't think it's stress. They are getting pretty comfortable now.
And yes, they are already sharing the same airspace I am just not sure if it is still better keeping them apart so that my sneezy girl won't sneeze right into the other girls' faces. On the other hand her friend is with her and she is OK now. Thank you for your comment javakittie!

[javakittie]

Well, I hope you figure out what's making her such a sneezy girl, regardless. Good luck with the intros when you decide to do them!