ringworm in rats....

Question
My daughter recently got a pet rat from a kid at school who had to give it away.  We have had it about 3 weeks and now my kids have come down with ringworm.  although I do not see any physical signs of it on the rat I'm sure this is where they got it because it is on their neck and shoulders where they let him crawl on them.  Is there some way to treat it without taking the rat to the vets?  I really cant afford it and did not want the rat in the first place.  My friends suggest I just let it go but I know the neighborhood cats would eat him and I just cant kill it.  Any suggestions?  Thank you.

Answer
Chances are your kids got the ringworm from classmates at school. Rats are always the ones to blame for everything. Truth is, you dont see any signs of ringworm on the rat because the rat doesnt have ringworm, not yet anyhow.  He will more than likely end up  catching it from your children though, unless you tell the children not to expose the rat to the ringworm which means of course to not let the rat come in contact with the lesions. You cant treat the rat for something you dont see. if there are no lesions from this fungus visible, there is no way to apply any creams or lotions to start with.

I am glad your not cruel enough to just turn the poor little rat loose in the streets like your friends suggest. Not only is it cruel since this is not a wild rat and he or she has no true survival instincts to be able to live on its own without depending on that of a human (poor rattie!) and its pretty hard to find a vet that would just euthanize it for convience. Thats pretty much a thing of the past, now days considered cruel and irresponsible to just kill an animal because it serves a person no purpose as a pet any longer.  I suggest if you dont want to keep the rat to find someone that will want it and love it and give it a happy home.  I can help you find a rat rescue if you want, because truth is, the rat will eventually need Veterinary care and its best to find someone that is prepared for this rather than to not be able to provide the care it needs. Since your child pulled a "fast one" on you and brought the rat home basically wihout your blessings, this is a good time to find it a good home before the kids become too attached to it.  I hope this helps and again please dont hesitate to ask and I will help  find it another home if you want.  I want everyone to be happy: Mom, kids and rat. :)