Small wounds all over my rat

[jke1012]

So when bathing my rats today I noticed a bunch of tiny wounds on one of my boys. The best way to describe what they look like is pin pricks. As they are only on one rat I'm inclined to believe that the other rat is hurting him some how. I'm thinking that I need to separate them but I know rats are social. Any advice?

 

[victoria]

It sounds like parasites, mites specifically. Some rats will be more affected than others but they all have it if they're together. You can get Revolution or Ivermectin from the vet and it should clear up quickly.

 

[jke1012]

But there is nothing on the other rat at all. I thought it would be something like that too but the other rat is clear of any wounds. Is there something that would affect one but not the other?

 

[victoria]

Rats are more affected by mites when they are stressed or when their immune system is somehow compromised. It's very common to have one rat showing symptoms and another not showing any at all. If you use Revolution, you should see results as quickly as 3 days to a week - if anything, it would rule parasites out. (I highly doubt it's not mites.)

 

[EDK]

Defiently sounds like mites, give it a try on their suggestion

 

[RattusNorvegicus]

Seconding what victoria said.

One drop of Revolution between each rats shoulder blades and you're done. Freeze any incoming bedding/food/toys before use (I believe at minimum 48 hours?) and you shouldn't run into the itchies again.

 

[Joanne]

I agree Smedley!

 

[jorats]

Yep, time to treat your rats with revolution or ivermectin.

 

[lilspaz68]

I created this post so you could compare to what your rat has. Little Livvy has a pretty bad infestation of mites but most owners just find tiny scabs on their rats like you are. You will need to treat everyone. In time if you left it all your rats would show symptoms eventually.

viewtopic.php?f=26&t=28715

 

[jke1012]

And the winner is LICE!!! Thanks for the advice and I will be freezing the bedding that comes in from now on. That is an awesome idea to keep this from happening again.

 

[*Rebel_Angel*]

Eww lice! Hope u get those treated and fast !

 

[Joanne]

And the winner is LICE!!! Thanks for the advice and I will be freezing the bedding that comes in from now on. That is an awesome idea to keep this from happening again.

Congratulations! LOL
At least it's an easy fix and everyone will be OK.

 

[EDK]

Yuck lice! Hope getting rid of those goes smoothly!

 

[Fidget]

You need to clean all their space real good too now with bleach, leave it sit a while and rinse well... and freeze anything that is porous (like wood) for 3 wks before you give it back to them, and whatever package of bedding you are using currently in case it came in on that...