Rat has sores x.x

Question
Hello, my elder rat (pushing 2 years) has gotten sore like or opened scab like
wounds over his neck and back..well I haven't really even checked his
stomach. I discovered them while bathing him and he was squeaking more
then usual.
Incidently, my other rat had just gotten a growth on his side, I don't have any
money whatsoever and am desperatly looking for a job so I can afford them a
vet visit, but at first it was firm and spongey, I think it's lossened up and even
shrunk a bit. It's really big to be abscess and I don't know how I'd treat that, I
don't have any antibactrial for rats x.x Any ideas on what it could be?
Is it possible this is all from the new bedding I used on them?
Or maybe allergic reaction to laundry detergent(I use it n their hammock)?

Answer
It sounds like you described ectoparasites on your elder rat.
http://www.rmca.org/Articles/bugs.htm
Does your old man seem healthy otherwise? A sudden infestation of mites could come from the bedding sold at the pet store or it means that he is unwell. Illness can crash the immune system and in turn allow the mites to multiply.

Ivermectin can be used to treat the mites
http://search.sympatico.msn.ca/results.aspx?q=Ivermectin+to+treat+mites+in+rats&...

If it is loose under the skin, and squishy, then it more then likely a tumor.
http://search.sympatico.msn.ca/results.aspx?q=tumors+in+male+rats&FORM=MSN6B&lan...
Though tumors are not so common in males, they to cn get get mammary tumors.
Also check out abscesses and sebaceous cysts at Rat Guide
http://ratguide.com/

spazrats
http://spazrats.tripod.com