Excessive licking of my hands

Question
QUESTION: I asked this question of another expert, and she didn't have any information, so I thought I'd try another person.

I have a 1.5 year old male rat that recently started showing blood in his urine and has been on Enrofloxacin for the last week and a half as a result (in case it's a bacterial infection).

Since about 4 days ago or so, he has suddenly started licking my hands excessively (non-stop for 5 minutes or more) and also eating clean litter (care fresh) even though there is water and food available (harlan teklad 2014 lab blocks).

We are going to have a urine analysis done when we can capture some urine, but I was wondering if you've heard of these symptoms before.

Thanks for any information.

Calvin

ANSWER: Hi Calvin

I would not worry about doing a urine analysis now since the rat has been given antibiotics. This will only give false readings. If the rat doesnt improve on baytril, a culture can be done to see what the bacteria is sensitive to but chances are it is indeed an infection and he should improve with baytril.  



That said, the baytril is possibly causing an upset tummy. Rats cannot vomit and so they try to compensate for their upset stomach by eating unusual and often things that are not edible. This is called PICA.
Rats with an upset stomach will drag their face along the ground. They also do this when something tastes nasty to them.  
PICA conditions erupt because the rat is trying to get rid of his upset stomach by eating clay, paper, cardboard, the rat litter etc.. and he may be enjoying whatever flavoring he is getting from your hands to rid his mouth of the taste he has normally.  You may have salt, sugar or soap he is picking up on.
PICA can also indicate when an animal is anemic. THe only concerns I have is that he has hematuria (blood in urine) and blood loss can trigger anemia. I would have his iron levels checked.

It will be hard to tell what is causing the PICA without ruling out anemia since it started the same time the baytril was started but also started when he had signs of hematuria.

You can suggest this to the vet and see if he allows you to switch to bactrim OR check for iron levels, or both. Either way,  Let him know the rat has PICA and he will or at least I HOPE he knows what this condition is and what causes it.


Did you ask another rat expert about this too, or just me?




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

QUESTION: Thanks for your very helpful response!

The licking and litter-eating  behavior started AFTER he had been on the baytril for a while (3 to 6 days after he started), so your explanation of PICA due to upset stomach as a result of the baytril makes a lot of sense. He had already had the blood in urine for almost a week before he started the baytril, and at that point, he showed no unusual symptoms whatsoever and didn't seem at all bothered. The weirdness started a few days AFTER he started baytril.

At this point, he is supposed to take the baytril for 6 days more, so we will try to give him some veggies with iron in the meantime, and if he doesn't get better by the end of the 2-week period on baytril, we will talk with the vet about doing a culture.

Yes, I did ask a different expert (Robin), but she didn't have much to say.

Thanks again...

Calvin

Answer
Your very welcome.

Well I do agree it sounds more related to the baytril too. Dogs and kitty cats experience this too, when they have a stomach ache, they eat grass. Studies were never able to prove if grass really helps upset stomachs or if the dog or cat eats it in hopes it helps.  This is a form of PICA too, although eating grass isnt as odd as eating care fresh litter:)

Has the blood in the urine cleared up any? Is he going more frequently or was he before the medication started? Has his water intake changed any? Have you noted any weight loss lately?

Reason I ask is because rats, especially males, are prone to kidney disease as they age as well, so if for some reason things do not clear up and the culture is negative, I would ask the vet to palpate his kidneys and see if they feel hard and irregular in shape, indicating scarring. Even lab work can be done to check on kidney function too. Anemia is common with kidney problems. There I go with the anemia again!!  Sorry! I sound like a broken record but better to be aware of these things just in case something comes up, you will know, for future reference if anything!

You can actually help if the kidneys are diseased simply by changing diet, putting the rat on lasix to increase urine flow to help rid the body of wastes. Vitamin b complex to increase red blood cell production may also be used.

If you need anything, just drop me a line and good luck!

Sandy