We try to take it to the the vet and he doesnt do anything evertime we go he just gives her a shot for mites and some medicine to give she wont stop and she cry's out in pain when she scratches them and sometimes she grows scabs but then she just turns around and rips them off please please please tell me what's wrong with her or if anyone has the same problem im so scared!!!
2007-07-29 04:20:42 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Rodents
Hi Elly, as requested, I've come to see if I help you with your itchy rat.
Your girl is in a vicious cycle of itch, and we have to stop the cycle before she rips her skin apart. Still have to find out what the cause is, but there are things that will ease her sore skin in the meantime.
Try any of the following:
A warm bath in Calendula tea
A warm bath in Chamomile tea
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AumZzNm7bbmptKHtcIh4w.fty6IX?qid=20070719185701AAxlXqQ&show=7#profile-info-0dXoI1lBaa
Dr. Goodpet products from Wal-Mart
http://www.goodpet.com/
I use the Flea Relief, Scratch Free, and Calm Stress remedies.
Rats are funny that way, they don't like scabs or anything that is bumpy on their skin, or yours. You might need to put a body stocking on her (if she will keep it on) to allow the wounds to heal. Get a children's sock about her size, cut open the toe end and slip it over her mid-section as if she were a sausage.
Whatever the vet is giving her is not working, obviously. You need to find a vet that really knows about rats. However, I can relate, I have never found one of those rat-savvy vets.
You need to consider a few more possibilities.
Dermititis, because your rat might be allergic to the mite bites
Fungal infection
Allergy to her bedding
Allergy to an ingredient in her food. Peanuts for instance, or the wrong source of protein. Dog food is an excellent ingredient in a rat food mix, but if it's too high in protein that could be the culprit. Switch to Nutro Lite
http://pets.become.com/pet-food/nutro-lite--nutro-natural-choice-dry-dog-food-litenutro-natl-choice-lite-30-lb--208645492--387379450
This is what other professional rat-keepers use as it only has 16% protein.
It could be that her skin is too dry? Add EFAs to her diet.
http://goodfats.pamrotella.com/
Do you bath her? Too often, wrong shampoo can set up skin problems.
Search for skin problems in rats:
http://search.yahoo.com/search?search=rat+Guide+skin+problems&ei=UTF-8&fr=ks-ans&ico-yahoo-search-value=http%3A%2F%2Frds.yahoo.com%2F_ylt%3DAmrLvrRZp8SXPzB.OHL0vAIazKIX%2FSIG%3D11ih7o725%2FEXP%3D1185814573%2F*-http%253A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch&ico-wikipedia-search-value=http%3A%2F%2Frds.yahoo.com%2F_ylt%3DAjxFo9BLape1bXCUKlhunhIazKIX%2FSIG%3D121uldqjp%2FEXP%3D1185814573%2F*-http%253A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FSpecial%253aSearch&p=rat+Guide+skin+problems
There are many reasons why rats get itchy, but mites is the first thing that comes to an experienced rat-owner's mind
http://www.petratscanada.com/scabs.htm
http://www.suite101.com/discussion.cfm/pet_rats/40271/
http://search.yahoo.com/search?search=scabs+on+rats&ei=UTF-8&fr=ks-ans&ico-yahoo-search-value=http%3A%2F%2Frds.yahoo.com%2F_ylt%3DAmrLvrRZp8SXPzB.OHL0vAIazKIX%2FSIG%3D11inn6bgv%2FEXP%3D1185816021%2F*-http%253A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch&ico-wikipedia-search-value=http%3A%2F%2Frds.yahoo.com%2F_ylt%3DAjxFo9BLape1bXCUKlhunhIazKIX%2FSIG%3D121alv724%2FEXP%3D1185816021%2F*-http%253A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FSpecial%253aSearch&p=scabs+on+rats
If what the vet is using is not working, you might want to try an oral Ivermectin if it really is mites you are dealing with.
I use these two brands:
http://www.horse.com/products/gift-0__sku-BBL00.html
http://www.horse.com/products/gift-0__sku-BBL19.html
It's only Ivermectine that you want. Read the label carefully and if it has another ingredient, don't buy it.
Treating rats with Ivermectine
http://search.yahoo.com/search?search=Ivermectine+treatment+for+rats&ei=UTF-8&fr=ks-ans&ico-yahoo-search-value=http%3A%2F%2Frds.yahoo.com%2F_ylt%3DAmrLvrRZp8SXPzB.OHL0vAIazKIX%2FSIG%3D11iuhvk49%2FEXP%3D1185815116%2F*-http%253A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch&ico-wikipedia-search-value=http%3A%2F%2Frds.yahoo.com%2F_ylt%3DAjxFo9BLape1bXCUKlhunhIazKIX%2FSIG%3D1214qoihg%2FEXP%3D1185815116%2F*-http%253A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FSpecial%253aSearch&p=Ivermectine+treatment+for+rats
Get back to me for dose instructions if you choose to use this.
Holistarat will have people in the group who have experienced what you have with your rat. Talk to them.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/holistarat
Let's talk privately if you want to, spazrats@yahoo.ca
spazrats
"my life has gone to the rats"
2007-07-29 05:52:11 · answer #1 · answered by spazrats 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Is your vet giving your rat shots for the right mites? There are loads of different types and the vets usually take a skin scraping and look at it under a microscope to see which sort it is. Has your vet done that?
It could also be allergies, what sort of bedding is in its cage? Have you tried changing it? If you have it out alot it could be fabric conditioner in your clothes.
Could also be food allergies. Try changing the diet a bit if a bedding change doesnt help. In the mean time, aloe vera is great stuff so you could put some of that on to soothe the itching.
2007-07-29 11:33:37 · answer #2 · answered by fairy m+ms 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm sure you have cleaned her living quarters well and treated her for fleas and, as you said, mites. My next step would be to suspect food allergies. I would start by eliminating foods from her diet one at a time, starting with beef. Also, don't give her cheese, nuts or any of the food poisonous to dogs. Go to another vet and ask about treating "hot spots" and maybe wearing an Elizabethan collar so she can't scratch herself. Sorry I don't don't more about rats. They are cute, loving, social and very intelligent mammals. Hope yours is better soon.
2007-07-29 11:32:21 · answer #3 · answered by lollipop 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
OMG that must be scary to watch, I'm hoping you can find another vet. there should be more than one in your area.
My heart goes out to you and your little buddy, sounds like maybe a skin allergy. Are you feeding her the correct food, and is the cage kept real clean? Maybe there's a type of body wash for itching so that she could rest and allow the scabs to heal. Good luck, she's lucky to have a caring buddy like you.
2007-07-29 11:28:47 · answer #4 · answered by kramer 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Check at Petco or PetsMart...my cat has the same kind of thing, but it's not mites, it's dry skin.
I used a Hydro-cortisone spray I got there, for dogs & cats that's almost stopped his scratching completely. It's a product manufactured by "8 in 1 Pet Products, Inc."
http://www.eightinonepet.com
2007-07-29 11:25:43 · answer #5 · answered by Gary D 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
http://www.petratscanada.com/scabs.htm
Mites, allergies, too much protein (make sure you aren't feeding dog or cat food). Find a vet that is knowledgeable about small mammal health care...not all vets are interested or seek additional education in pocket pet medicine.
2007-07-29 13:19:39 · answer #6 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
find a vet that specializes in rodents, most vets take care of dogs and cats and have little or no knowledge on rodents. when your pet is screaming there is a big problem. i feel sorry for your pet and please see a new vet.
2007-07-30 08:59:56 · answer #7 · answered by kiwi gal 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
she probably itches you should have asked the vet for an anti-itch cream try giving her a warm bath or put some aloe on her skin
2007-07-29 11:23:42 · answer #8 · answered by Hello Kitty!! 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
i think you should give it a warm bath often
cuz mayb there sum filthy stuff in it
but after
put sum medication for it
wishing you a good luck =]
2007-07-29 14:24:48 · answer #9 · answered by dumdum(: 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
eww i would give your hamster some ointment on the scratches but make sure it isn't toxic
2007-07-29 11:24:30 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋