rat with skin blotches

Question
we have two female rats that are about 9-12 months old, one hairless ('Buggy'), one haired blue rat (Boodle') ...  The hairless seems to be the dominant one and so when they have their periodic flights, Boodle usually is the one who backs down.

In the past week, even though we haven't noticed any fighting or agressive grooming, Boodle has developed skin blotches on her upper right shoulder in a number of places.  Some of these seem to be scabbing some more 'fresh' but definately in places that would be hard for her to scratch herself.

Question is:  What are these ?  Also since we'd like to avoid a costly vet visit if possible, what home cures might you recommend ...

thanks,

bill


Answer
Hi Bill

I LOVE the names! Buggy and Boodle!! Thats so adorable. I have a cat named Bugsy but we nicknamed him Buggy!!

I am going to take a stab at this and suggest your rat is suffering from Dermatitis, but of what origin I do not know. It could be contact dermatitis or allergic dermatitis too. We can start with going over a few things such as the type of  bedding your using. Pine or cedar? You may or may not know that these types of bedding are big fat NO NOs among pocket pet owners and any other mini mammals too. The phenol oils are just deadly in one way or another. I am going to assume you know this and do not use it, but what do you use and have you changed litter lately?
Same for diet. Skin can react weird to certain diets. Diets high in protein, esp if you are using mixes from the pet store (I cannot legally spell them out, but popular commercial seed mixes out there at petstores are not nutritionally sound for rats or any pocket pet for that matter) the seeds are worthless and full of fats and high protein and the rat tends to favor one thing which are the sunflower seeds. The hard corn is loaded with a toxic fungus that is a known carcinogen. Many pet rat owners use a good rodent block where the first ingredient is NOT corn, but soy or something else. Harlan Teklad make great rodent block and oxbow makes regal rat which is low in protein and a balanced diet all the way around.  There are also plenty of recipes on the net where rat lovers have come together and made up homemade diets using ingredients that when all added up make up a complete healthy diet as well.
Ok so you say been there, done that and you are using top notch foods?
Well lets treat this as allergic dermatitis from unknown origin and start by giving the rat oral antihistamines such as benadryl. I would need the rats weight to suggest a safe dose for her first before going further. Second you can purchase neosporin (plain) and apply twice daily to the area. ALso, benadryl cream can be used as well.
Next, you can purchase over the counter 1 hydrocortisone cream or ointment to apply up to 3 times a day rubbing in really good.
Now these are about the only home remedies I can think of that may work and only work if your dealing with a mild case of dermatitis. If your facing possible ectoparasites such as mites, no over the counter products can be safely used nor do they help. If the condition persists, you will have to see a vet for further treatment.


Hi again, Bill

If you rub in the ointments and keep the rat busy for about 10 minutes that should be fine. Use small amounts and no the rat should not get sick from licking the medications I suggested unless he were to eat blobs of it. Keep the tube away from the cage. They LOVE to chew stuff like that. LOL

Hope you see this answer!!