Mites perhaps? :(

[briser]

So I am rat-sitting for a friend while she goes away for a week and her two rats seem to scratch a whole lot..

One of them even has some missing fur on the front leg area about her paws.

I treated my boys with revolution 3 weeks ago (for a precaution, I don't actually think they had anything) so it should still be in their system.

These girls are 1.5 years old, is it okay to treat them for mites using revolution? I know they aren't mine but I don't want to see them suffering and I don't know how to tell her that I think they have them...

 

[lilspaz68]

Have you checked them for scabs? I would definitely do a treatment on them, then look for scabs...if you find any you will have to tell your friend how to prevent them (freezing bedding,etc)

 

[briser]

How do I check for scabs? Their fur is so think it's hard to look through it.

 

[lilspaz68]

Dig your fingers in and even run it backwards...or you can dampen the fur over their shoulders...

 

[jorats]

The missing fur on the paws is usually self barbering but missing fur and not a shiny coat, I'd definitely do a mite treatment.