lump, scabs on rat

Question
QUESTION: My rat has a a lump under her skin. When I touch it it  feels like hard lumps inside. It is growing bigger. It does not seem to hurt her when I touch it and I have not noticed her in any pain from it. What are the signs of cancer? or could it be just a cyst. Also, she has developed scabs all over her skin. Her hair seems to be falling out around the same areas. She is scratching a lot and making it worse. I have heard that it could be mites or maybe her food. I have her on "Living world" Nutri- blocks. I read that alfalfa and corn cause scabs. It is made from ground corn, ground wheat, soybean meal, wheat middlings, herring meal, yeast culture, dehydrated alfalfa meal, dried beet pulp, lecithin, some other things plus vitamins e, b12, A and so on.The crude protien is 16.0% . How much protien should they have because I have heard that too much is not good? I know this was a long question but please get back to me asap so i can try to help her. thanks!

ANSWER: Hi Jolene

For starters, loss of fur can and itching can very well be mites but it is also true that diet can cause it as well.
However, the levels of protein is fine because the diet should not contain more than 15 to 18 percent protein. However, it is good to avoid foods that have corn as the first ingredient. As for alfalfa, rats cannot digest it well so that should not really be in the diet either.
Hard kernel corn doesn't cause scabs but instead, it contains a fungus that can be toxic to our rats so it is also best to avoid rat mixes that contain the hard kernels of corn.

The better rat blocks are made by harlan teklad which are found on the internet. I also suggest using regal rat by oxbow and also there are various recipes where you can make your own rat food too. There is info on my website that I will provide for you in closing of this post.

As for the lump, where is it located? Is it under her front or back paws, on her belly, chest or on her fact or jaw area? Is there a scab on it?

Right now to help ward off infection, if you have cortisone cream and neosporin ointment on hand, you can take turns rubbing these two creams/ointments into the areas that are scabbing and where there is fur loss.
Sometimes skin problems from dry winter air can also cause problems. I would rule out mites though.

Do you have a vet?  If not, I can help you find one in your area that sees rats so if you need, just let me know your area and the surrounding cities and I can give you some names of someone that can help clear up the mite problem if indeed that is what it is.  Going too long with parasites on the skin can cause anemia since these mites or lice feed on the rats blood.

Anyhow please let me know some of the answers to the things I asked in a follow up and I will check back shortly to see if you responded. Hang in there! We will get this figured out in no time!


Here is the URL to my website:
http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/index.htm

Enjoy!

Sandra

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

QUESTION: Thanks for your response. The lump in almost on  her side of her belly about 1
inch from her arm. It has a little bump/scab on it(very small) Can i buy different
food at a store? Should I clean the scabs with anything because they dont look
to good. Please get back. I cannot take her to a vet so if you know of a home
remedy that would help.

Answer
Try using neosporin ointment and cortisone cream both found at drug stores. Rub it in very well and keep the rat busy so it absorbs in.  If it doesnt start to get smaller it may be a mammary tumor and she will need to eventually have it removed. There are no home remedies to treat a mammary tumor unfortunately. I wish there were!!

You can buy better food on the internet but also you can make good rat food yourself. Check out my website for more info.

http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/index.htm