rat lice

Question
QUESTION: Hi there i just recently bought my rat from a pet store i have noticed that he has been scratching himself allot and noticed tiny white dandruff looking things but they are stuck to his fur. I think its lice but i really dont know, he also has orange flakes but i've read that it is normal in males to have orange dandruff. I was also wondering how i find a good vet that knows about rats?
thanks

ANSWER: Hi Skim

Yep, sounds like rat lice for sure. They dont have wings like the type of lice humans get, but they do stick to the hair shaft like you are seeing.  The best treatment and the safest treatment is having the vet take care of it using ivermectin.  The orange waxy build up is called buck grease. It is from hormones that are in over time producing oily substance that accumulates on the rats skin.  You can bathe him and use a soft baby tooth brush to gently clean it off or else rub the area with olive oil. He may lick the olive oil off but this isnt going to hurt him at all. I would get the lice under control first though. The vet may even have a good shampoo for the rat to help rid the skin of the accumulated waxy buck grease.

Please let me know your location and I will be happy to find a rat vet for you!

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QUESTION: Thank you very much for your fast reply, i live in toronto, ontario so im not sure f you are familiar with my area but i have tried emailing a few clinics to see if how much a visit costs and if they have any vets that know rats. so if you do know some in my area that would be awesome! i live in the central downtown area st clair and yonge! thanks again.

Answer
My first choice would be Animal hospital of Highpark.
There are several vets there that are trained in exotics.
         
Animal Hospital of Highpark    
3194 Dundas St. W
Toronto NV Ontario M6N 5C1
Phone: 416-763-4200
Website: www.animalhospitalhighpark.com

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Dr. Samantha Munn
Greenwood Park Animal Hospital s
1041 Gerrard Street East
Toronto Ontario M4M 1Z6
Phone:    416 778 6666
Website: www.drmunn.ca

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