Itchy Rats / Humping

[foxhunt]

I have two girls - 9 months old.

I recently had a friend watch my rats for me over a long weekend and now they are very itchy! Their teats seem to be inflamed and they are scratching a lot.
No scabs or bleeding, just a lot of grooming and scratching with hind legs.

Their skin looks dry in certain spots- flaky. One of my girls would not, until today, let me touch her head without screaming bloody murder. Her hair is short on her head like it's been chewed off.

Also, they are fighting a lot more recently, being very aggressive, and humping a lot.

Any advice?

 

[xxchelle]

I'd take them to a vet and get them checked out. They could have mites which is causing the skin issues, and I'm sure that's causing them to be a bit touchy and frustrated - hence the aggression.

The vet should give them revolution or ivermectin topically if they do have mites or lice.

 

[jorats]

I agree, always do a mite/lice treatment when the rats are itchy and bitchy.

 

[SQ]

Mites are too small to be seen.
Don't let the vet do a skin scraping to test for mites - it is painful and often shows false results.
Just get them treated with revolution for mites.