Buck Grease or Lice?

[RatKat]

Ok. So my little dude Jayne has an orange patch on his back under his fur-buck grease. Just noticed it because I gave him a bath---not fun! And the skin seems to have red freckles. Is this dandruff caused by the buck grease or do I have lice on my hands?

When i first got him he did not have any Buck Grease-but I'm guessing he's just maturing.

I'm taking him in for a check up soon-I just would like to hear some suggestions

 

[jorats]

If the specks are on the fur, hold him still and watch to see if they move. Lice is always moving about. They are usually attached to the fur and not the skin.
From what you describe it sounds more like sebum. (buck grease)

 

[RatKat]

If the specks are on the fur, hold him still and watch to see if they move. Lice is always moving about. They are usually attached to the fur and not the skin.
From what you describe it sounds more like sebum. (buck grease)

That's good news. Just completely checked him over and the specks are not on his fur at all. Just his skin. And they don't move. =)

Sebum is a little gross. Is there a way I can cut it down a little? It doesn't bother me-it was only noticeable because Jayne was having a bath.

Thanks Jorats!

 

[xxchelle]

Baths make buck grease worse - they cause males to produce MORE buck grease to smell like themselves again. The only way I can think to cut down buck grease is to neuter.

 

[RatKat]

I've heard of people soaking bread in olive or flaxseed oil once a week-it's supposed to cut down on the buck grease==has anyone tried it?

It's really not that strong-it's just sometimes I'm fussy. I'm not going to force a rat into being neutered just because I'm having a girly moment.

 

[jorats]

I don't think there's really anything that can help with the sebum. More grooming buddies? lol
Even a neuter, it's not a guarantee that it will stop the production of it.

 

[Almarine]

You might also want to look into your boy's diet. My Alcazar had terrible buck grease, his fur actually looked orange (he's light grey). What we discovered was that he was getting too much protein in his diet. Once we got him on the Harlan 2014 (and convinced the family that eggs and other proteins were off the treat list), his coat magically cleared up. His skin still has a goodly amount of that orange glow, but it's not terribly noticeable.

 

[lj]

I don't think there's really anything that can help with the sebum. More grooming buddies? lol

I agreee! :giggle:

 

[RatKat]

More grooming buddies? lol

I agreee! :giggle:

We are working on that-he's come a long way. But he still doesn't like other rats touching him.

I'll try reducing the protein in his diet. I think it may have just been the bath freaking him out-I checked him out today and there is just a little bit there.

 

[tinytippytoes]

I was wondering if you had any sucess in keeping the buck grease down with less protein. I know its been only a month ago right? I'm having the same issues and I feed the HT 2018. I'm not in any rush to buy the 2014 as its expensive!