Porphyrin on Toby

[Casey]

I posted a little while back about Toby having rusty colored fur. Anyway after getting opinions from you guys,
I am pretty sure the rusty colored stuff on his neck was/is porphyrin.
Since It washed right off when I bathed him.
I have read different articles on it and it seems in some cases it is normal/benign and others there is a problem.

Toby seems fine. He plays, eats, sleeps and cuddles. His face (eyes and nose) have always been bright and clear.
He has not been sneezing and his breathing sounds nice and clear.
He still gets a small amount of rusty coloring on the back of his neck and shoulders and then this morning he did
have a little around his nose and on his front feet. Now I am wondering if you think it is anything to be concerned about?
But when I checked back a little later it was completely cleaned up from his nose and hands.
My other three boys have non of this on them anywhere.

I checked him over really good this evening and his coat and skin are clean and smooth, no sores, rashes or dryness.
and his eyes and nose are completely clean with no residual redness or crustiness.

Someone on one of the other rattie forums was telling someone else (I was reading back post) with a similar
sounding situation that it could possibly be caused by a food allergy?

I still have them on the Harlan Teklad 2018, but have heard since they are males and not really "babies" anymore,
the higher protein can cause some males problems, many people think they should be on the 2014 and
still others do not recommend a diet with corn in it at all...
There really is a lot of controversy over what is best to feed rats!

Is this something you guys are familiar with? He is 4 months old now.
Do you think he should see the vet or is this normal for him or both?

Thanks
Casey

 

[ryelle]

Hhmmmmmmmmmm Maybe he should see a Vet just to be safe. My Sidian has an on going Porph problem though. Hes always had it around his nose every day since he was about 4 or 5 months old. He is healthy and happy - if not a little nervous at times. His diet has changed many times over the past year and a half since it began. I have no idea what is wrong with him.

 

[Moon]

I personally wouldn't worry too much. Some porph when they wake up is normal, but you don't want to see it all day. The staining is due to how he cleans it away.

Although it's unusual to see staining on a rat his age and colour, from the sound of things I don't think you have to be worried.

That said, if your boys haven't been to the vet yet, a health and wellness checkup with your chosen exotics vet is never a bad thing

 

[jorats]

2018 is good for all stages of life, especially if they are supplemented by veggies which brings the daily level of protein down. I personally believe lower is better but many have no problems with the 18% protein.

Some rats will get porphyrin from something as simple as the house being too dry, or too much noise, or scents and smoke. Allergies to bedding, detergent, perfumes, hairspray are all possible. I really can't see food being the culprit but certainly not impossible.
Keep an eye on him, see if you can change up a few things... but if it goes on and on and there are more symptoms like loss of appetite, heavy breathing, lethargy or anything that makes you feel that something is off, then it's off to the vet with him. :thumbup:

 

[lilratsy43]

:yeah:
Well I thought I had something to add but Jo said it all!!!