Jaw, Shoulder, Neck Scabbies?

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I -think- they are protein scabs as they didn't clear up with a bath as mites do, and they are only really on her shoulders. I feed her SunSeed critter cubes, but the protein is 22% !! I am not sure what I can feed her or -where- I can get it? I feed her fruits and veggies daily and I give her Kaytee Crunch for mouse and rats in a small tbls bowl every couple days and the protein is at 15% ... I would really like to get her lab blocks that are better for her but just not sure were... or if these scabs are even protein scabs... but I know her food is very high in protein ><
Any help is always much appreciated! Thanks!
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Scabs in that area are usually mites . I've never heard of a bath effectively getting rid of mites!! Your best bet to start is to treat her with revolution from the vet.

A few rescues in the states sell Harlan Teklad that you can order on their website. In your older girl especially, you want way lower protein.

This is one such rescue:
http://www.capitalcityratrescue.com/13301.html
 
Mites populate the jaw, shoulder and neck...you may also want to check her cheeks and her chin...those are other fav spots.

Here's classic mites on a foster
classicmiteinfestation.jpg


You will need to treat ALL your rats with Ivermectin or Revolution (preferred and easier).

Protein allergy scabs are very very rare, so mites should be the first thing to assume.
 
Luckily I only have her, my other two babies have passed away. I will be calling my vet tomorrow to see if he has that. If not I will try ordering it online, I will try to getting those lab blocks too. I was told that changing an older rat's diet was very dangerous... but that was from a company saying high protein is -good- for rats and the expensive 22% food was perfect for my baby. So changing foods is okay? Do I have to to a transition like with dogs and cats?
Thank you for th links and information, that photo looks alot lik eher, but her coat is really thick compared to his.
What exactly causes mites? I have read and been told so many different things. I took out all the wood from her cage, I clean it at least once a week and soak all of her toys and rinse them -very- well as well a her dishes and water bottle. I don't bath her too too often, but I use baby shampoo.
With this I have been told to bath her with a ferret skin and coat... but I am not sure on that now either. I can dilute my oatmeal shampoo I use in the grooming a lot and try that so it isn't so strong. it is an all natural none scented shampoo so I think it would be okay...
Any othe suggestions to make her comfortable until these are gone will be appreciated again ^^

Edit:
Are mites a zoonotic parasite? I have a compromised immune system so do I need to worry?
 
Mites are host specific and lice are species specific, so you are safe :)

You can get mites from handling an infested rat then going home to handle yours. You can get buggies from infected bedding (wood or paper based). Its recommended to freeze your bedding for 48 hours before using it, this will kill any stowaways.
 
I use shredded paper- I dust it out before I put it in hr cage, that's what I have been using since I got her and she seems fine from it no sneezing or anything. But I will try freezing it too. Get funny looks from my family when they open up the freezer and see bedding in there :lol:

Revolution is fr dogs and cats! >< how do I know if I giver her too much? I know that kind is -bad- for dogs and cats so why would I try to kill my rat with it? sorry I have herd so many horror stories about that stuff >>
 
I've never heard a single bad thing about Revolution.. What sources do you have about killer Revolution?

Some people do not like to have their dogs on a flea preventative year round, and I agree with them. Why have your dog on revolution in the winter? But a single dosing on rats is safe.

Here's more info about Revolution and rats:
http://www.ratfanclub.org/skin.html
 
Moon said:
I've never heard a single bad thing about Revolution.. What sources do you have about killer Revolution?

Some people do not like to have their dogs on a flea preventative year round, and I agree with them. Why have your dog on revolution in the winter? But a single dosing on rats is safe.

Here's more info about Revolution and rats:
http://www.ratfanclub.org/skin.html

Dogs and cats need to be treated year round- fleas can live in houses year round. YOu can pick up fleas at a friends house or even a store and bring them home to your pets- so yeah they do need to be treated- if you don't it is your choice. I am a groomer and trust me I get flea baths all year long. ^^
About the revolutiopn I think I was getting mixed up with Hartz- but animals can be alergic to different things- I have herd of my customer's dogs dying on it and other flea meds. It all depends on the dog. I will try this... but Penelope really is showing no signs of any kinds of mites I have done research on, but I think it is better to be safe than sorry! What dose should I use? the smallest cat or dog?
Thanks for the help Moon ^^ didn't mean to sound so rude earlier- I have herd horror stories from my grooming friends and customers about many many medicines.
 
Revolution and Ivermectin are the only 2 treatments that should ever be used. Things bought at petstores are not tested or regulated properly and can make your animals ill or even kill them. I have heard those horror stories too.

Revolution is actually tolerated very very well by rats, and is hard to OD them with. You just give them one drop on the back of the neck and they are done :)

Btw, almost ALL meds/antibiotics are off-label use for rats, most are for dogs and cats. :)
 
Well sadly not many people want to see something for their precious little puppy dog or kitty cat can be used on our little rats as well.
But a drop of any? or for a cat or dog? I want to be sure before I order it is all sorry ^^
I have used lite cat for my ferrets... it was a while ago I forget now what I used- but I wont use is on Nellie if you all say Revolution is okay for rats ^^
Thank you again ^^

I have also just ordered 14% protein food since her other is 22% and is way to high... thought I would throw that in there too ^^
 
If you only have a few rats you can get the puppy/kitten Revolution and just put one drop on her shoulders. YOu could screw up and dump the tube on her and it wouldn't harm her in the least. :)
 
lilspaz68 said:
If you only have a few rats you can get the puppy/kitten Revolution and just put one drop on her shoulders. YOu could screw up and dump the tube on her and it wouldn't harm her in the least. :)

That is great to know! I shake a lot from my immune drugs and dumping happens ><
Thank you again ^^ I will order some tomorrow morning.
 

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