skin

Question
My male rat, has lost most of his fur, has gotton thicker wrinkly skin where the fur is missing, and has whitehead like bumps all over his body, even in his ears.  The vets are at a loss, and I am heartbroken for him. I feed him Mazuri rat block, and little niblets of crackers, crust, wheat bagels, a baby carrot once in a while,and a cookie piece once in a while. He is still very active, and lovable, but loves to be scratched on his furless spots.

Answer
Hi Dawn

Has he seen an exotic specialist?  There are regular vets that see exotics by the handful, but there are just about 100 or so certified avian/exotic vets in the entire world, which means half the time people think they are seeing a real exotic vet that has taken the required extended education courses (which takes a few years to complete)and has to pass a very extreme state board exam to become one of the elite specialists we lack so much...so there is a huge difference between a vet that sees exotics and a real exotics vet.  

Has there been any blood work/labs run on him to look for any deficiencies or hormone problems, even infection?  Has anyone taken a skin sample and looked under the microscope at the contents of the white bumps that are all over his body?   Do these bumps contain anything, like pus or fluid? ARe they like pin pricks or big bumps? Is there a way to send me a photo at
sandyscrittercity@yahoo.com?

I would suggest his diet may be a bit high in protein since Mazuri contains 23% protein and rats should not exceed 15% daily protein intake since its too taxing on their kidneys but can also cause skin problems, but I dont think that 23% is extreme, either, unless he is super sensitive to it. How old is he?  I have used Mazuri in a pinch when I cant get Regal rat and my rats do fine with it but some rats are a bit sensitive to higher protein even just slightly higher.

Can you tell me what kind of tests were done on the little guy?

Has the Vets given you any medications or lotions and creams to use and if so, what kind?

I would try this, for now at least: Rub the spots with cortisone (hydrocortisone cream) and neosporin ointment and different times of the day. Its ok if it gets licked off. If of course, you tried this before, ignore that part. :0

Also, offer him some olive oil on the cracker bits you feed him and this will help replenish his skin. My readers swear by this.... but I would also add more vegetables to his diet such as a daily serving of peas, carrots (I buy the cans with the peas and carrots combined and feed it to my rats twice a day) The good news is that he is acting ok, thats important that he seems well.