Blue rat tail?!

Question
QUESTION: I took one of my 3-month old male rats out and noticed he has blue-ish spots on his tail. they are mostly on the part of his tail that drags behind him while touching the ground. I'm worried that it may be a circulation problem... Is this something I should have a vet look at? Thank you!

ANSWER: Is there a way to attach a photo here for our follow up? You can attach it here by following the directions after hitting the first submit button you will see where it says ATTACH PHOTO.  

Those blue spots, are they deep, are they scabs?  Are his feet blue tinged?

It may be a good idea to see a vet, but the vet MUST be qualified to treat rats and 80% of vets that say they treat rats are clueless.  Let me know your location and I will gladly give you     names of vets in your area that see rats.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


My rat.   QUESTION: They are just splotches as if they were part of him. Also, a few days ago he bolted into an open drawer of my desk so instinctively I grabbed his tail to stop him. I'm afraid I might have broken bones in his tail. He did not screech or cry but it took him several minutes to re-cooperate. I'm in Buckeye, Arizona and experienced vets are few and far between.

Answer
Oh my, this doesnt look good. I would make an appt. for MONDAY if you can....you may need to drive an hour, and thats ok.. I have to drive a bit longer than an hour to see a good exotic vet and many people go even further.  The first that I have listed  is an hr. from your city and the others are closer.  Actually the last clinic has a tech that lives in Buckeye.  You have alot more clinics around that see rats than you are aware of, thats for sure. Your in luck!!

The vet in Phoenix is also top notch....but no matter who you chose, one of these vets should be seen ASAP.

It almost looks like a magic marker dyed the tail in spots...but it also may be necrosis too. Hard to say from a computer chair.



Dr. Kevin Wright
Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital
744 N Center Street
Mesa AZ 85201-5084
Phone:  4802757017
Website: www.azeah.com
 


Dr. Todd Driggers
Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic of Arizona Exotic
7 E Palo Verde St.
Gilbert AZ 85296
Phone:  480-706-8478
Website: aeacarizona.com



Dr. Tracey Ritzman
Palm Glen Animal Hospital Exotic
7771 N. 43rd Avenue
 Phoenix AZ 85051
Phone:  623-841-1200
Website: www.palmglen.com








Dr. Daniel Skirvin
Westbrook Animal Hospital
 8996 W. Union Hills Drive Suite 107
 Peoria AZ 85382
Phone:  623-825-9170
Website: www.westbrookah.com