Skin loss

Question
QUESTION: I have two pet blue rats. Both have recently been ailed with a condition that my vet cant figure out. Both rats are loseing skin on the tail, feet, and even nose. They are kept in seprate cages so fighting is not an explination. They might even lose some toes!! They have leisions and some even look self inflicted. What would cause them to do this and how do i stop it? they damaged themselves within a four hour period. they are healthy and loved. the vet put them on antibiotics to prevent infection, but they arent getting better. they arent getting worse though. any insight?

ANSWER: Hi

Is there a way to take photos of them?  You can either attach one here or send several to my private email at Sandyscrittercity@yahoo.com

I have an idea what it may be but want to see photos first.  Did the vet suggest possible steroid injections for each rat?

Where did you get them from and how old are they?

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QUESTION: i am writing with tears in my eyes because my beautiful ratties are not here anymore. after loseing thier feet, i had to let them be put down. they still dont know what happened, but they are sending them to auburn university for a necropsy to maybe find out. they were put on antibiotics to fight further infection and maybe slow the necrosis of limbs, but to no avail. they have never seen anything like it and didnt know what to do.
they were only 2!!
im crying it hurts so bad. i just want to find out what happened to my babies.
thier names are chester and blu. chester was losing epithelial on his nose and had a completely necrotic tail. he was also begining to have trouble breathing and was irritable. blu had knawed off his paws and had only stumps. he was still his lovable self however, licking my hand as they put him under. his tail was only partially necrotic and had a small sore on his head (possibly unrelated) both ratties had started to had tissue damage on the ears.
we are looking for something that attacks epithelial first, then hits organs.

ANSWER: Oh my gosh, that is absolutely horrible. I am so sorry for your loss.  I cant even imagine what on earth it was.  This goes far beyond my expertise thats for sure.

My first guess would have to say it had something to do with their autoimmune system. Almost like they were having an allergic reaction to their own body.

Please, let me know what happened. Someone else wrote to me last week about her rat that kept chewing his leg down to the bone and they put him down. She did not opt for a necropsy, which I never know why people do not do it because its such a learning tool and a way for our rats to make a difference in the future medical care of other rats, but either way, she refused necropsy. Perhaps your sweet boys, Chester and Blu, will be able to help other rats even after they are no longer here, by having the pathologist be able to test them and see what was wrong.  

Again, I am so sorry for your loss, and please keep me updated. I would like to learn more about this.  Having both rats have this happen, was it contagious? Congenital?   Whatever it was, it had no mercy and we need to know more about it and how to treat it.

big hugs to you!

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

QUESTION: they dont even know the answer to that question. i havent heard anything from the vet yet but she said she would call me as soon as results are in. and yes, i will be glad to share the information, incase someone else writes to you. it was just so fast however, i dont even know if it will help.

Answer
I asked another Vet, who is a "cyber buddy" of mine and I told him about your sweet angels. I told him I felt it could be related to an autoimmune disorder and here is what he had to say:

Sandra:
Good answer to the question below!  My immediate thought was there had to be some sort of immune mediated problem. Obviously for tissue to die so quickly, blood supply must have been cut off so antibiotics wouldn't do any good anyway.
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Not sure if this helps or is something the other vets already thought of, but either way, I am here for you and in fact you can write to my private email and if you want to talk, let me know.
Sandyscrittercity@yahoo.com