Can I trust the pet stores around here?

[shelliebear]

I have been buying small rats to feed my BP'S from a local pet store (NWseed and pet).
They don't buy very many and so they run out pretty quick, which is what happened a week ago. Instead I went to Evergreen pet supply (not to be confused with Evergreen that sells reptiles).
I bought the rats and headed home. When I took them out of the box, they were all pretty sick looking. I was worried to feed them to the snakes because the rats all had what seem to be pretty bad respiratory infections (sneezing, rubbing nose excessively, wheezing, gasping for breath, etc) so I put them in a big sterilite tub and someone is going to adopt them (I don't think Evergreen will take them back). The person wants to get them to a vet, so don't worry they know what's going on, I'm not pulling one over like Evergreen Pet did to me. :/
So I went back two days ago, and inspected the rats more closely before I bought them.
THEY ARE ALL SICK WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS.
What the heck?
are these safe to feed to my snakes?
Even if they are, that probably means they aren't even getting the best nutrition, if they're all sick, right?
So, I'm wondering, as an alternative can I feed them a couple (2-3) F/T mice instead of a live rat? The guy I got my cornsnake from breeds feeder mice but not rats (and freezes his own as well). His are all healthy and eat well.
I know mice don't have as much of the "good stuff" as rats seem to, but A. I don't like feeding live so much and B. the rodents are sick. :/
Should I feed them to my snakes, or not? My reaction was no, but I don't know much about the bacteria/virus that causes mice to have respiratory infections, although I think it is mycoplasma (correct term?). I don't know if it can be spread to a reptile, which is why I'm asking you all.
The only store around here that sells frozen rats is Petco or Petsmart, and most of them are large size rats and up, which my BP's can't eat because they are way too big! Ignoring the fact that they're also very expensive, my snakes couldn't swallow them anyway.
Thanks.
Shellie

[shelliebear]

(by the way these are the same pet stores that didn't know an Amazon TREE BOA needed a tree before it would eat....)

[Alexandra V]

If the rats are sick, I would hesitate to feed them off too.
I think you would be better off finding another source for rats or going to the guy that you said breeds corns and only sells mice. Multiple mice in one feeding is fine, and although they aren't as "meaty" as rats they'll be just fine for your snakes

[shelliebear]

Gotcha, thanks a lot. Will definitely go to the breeder, I have seen his mice in person and not a sneeze from any of them.

[wilomn]

Most mammal diseases will not transfer to your reptile. Remember, they are designed to eat the weak and sick.

It sounds like the rats you got have mico, many many rodents do. It will eventually kill the rats but I do not know of any problem feeding them to reptiles.

Find a breeder and buy direct. Put an ad on craigslist that you're looking for rodents or join whatever reptile society is up your way. Both are good sources.

[shelliebear]

Thank you.