Tail mold?

Question
We have a wonderful white female named babygirl that is very social and get along great with our dog and cat. I understand rats can get a tail mold/fungus... How does one identify it and is there a home remedy if she should get it? Thanks, Mike

Answer
Hi Mike

To be honest with you, I am not aware of any disorder called                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       "tail mold" that is associated with rat tails. Whoever told you this may be thinking of Proliferative Ileitis, which is often referred to as "Wet tail".  

This condition is something seen in hamsters but not in rats. It is a bacterial infection from some nasties such as E.Coli. The signs are profuse watery diarrhea with a terribly foul smell to it, and the infamous dirty and wet tail. Again, this is only usually found in hamsters, never rats.

The only thing I can think of that could happen to a rats tail is a degloving injury. This occurs if you try to pick up the rat by his tail or pull on the tail while the rat is trying to get away, etc...  
The upper layer of skin on the tail often detaches itself and is ripper away from the bone of the tail (Ouch!!!) and it is a very traumatic and painful emergency should this occur, which requires immediate attention from a qualified Vet.
Prevention is to simply not pick up the rat by its tail.

Can you tell me more about what you heard about tail mold? Perhaps it has another name that I am not familiar with?

Wish I could be of more help!

Sandra Todd


PS- Forgive the way this post looks. For some reason its spread out across the screen and I tried to revise it to no avail.