We Have a 'Rip Roaring Skin Infection Going On' Here!

[Bundyrats]

Lol, that is what my vet told me last night. I took Meesha in to see him because I noticed she was a bit quiet and at first I thought she was just sad about losing Sheebie, but I also noticed that her back was dry and itchy and when I parted the hair, there were small orange patches everywhere. So I took her in and the vet looked her over with the UV purple light thingy in the dark and said those orange spots are all small scabs - what a bad mom I am :emb: - there were no mites in the sticky tape skin sample he took and nothing in the hair sample but just lots and lots of bacteria. He thinks it could either be from one of the others scratching her and getting infected or scratching herself. So I was sent home with a medicated shampoo, Malaseb and told to wash her every two days, that's going to be fun. :cheeky:
She should improve in a week. If not, she has to wear a rat body sock :giggle: .
Gosh I never thought I would be wishing for mites - at least that would be an easy fix.
So has anyone had this and what do you think about the shampoo solution?

 

[AlexP]

I've never had a rat with that problem before, though I've had to deal with mites.However, I did have a golden retriever with allergies and related skin issues that would flare up. During the winter, she'd lick her pads because of the salt from the sidewalks outside when it was icy, and get a little yeast infection going in there, and Malaseb wipes worked for that. I've not had experience with the shampoo, but the wipes were super awesome so I'd think the shampoo itself is too-though like I said, no idea how it works for rats.

P.S. Your vet is quite funny! :laugh4:

 

[lilspaz68]

Did he say what bacteria it was? Staph or strep? Sounds like a pyoderma to me.
Is she scratching a lot? She may need a pain medication as well.

 

[Bundyrats]

He didn't say what type of bacteria. I gave her her first wash last night and was very surprised to find that the orange spots seemed to have cleared up already this morning. The vet said it could take about 4-6 days before I saw any improvement so overnight is quite unexpected. I'll see what she's like over the next few days. She doesn't seem to be scratching incessantly or anything.

 

[jorats]

Are you sure it isn't sebum or buck grease?
Whatever it is... I'm glad it's clearing up so fast.

 

[jennifervb]

Lol, that is what my vet told me last night. I took Meesha in to see him because I noticed she was a bit quiet and at first I thought she was just sad about losing Sheebie, but I also noticed that her back was dry and itchy and when I parted the hair, there were small orange patches everywhere. So I took her in and the vet looked her over with the UV purple light thingy in the dark and said those orange spots are all small scabs - what a bad mom I am :emb: - there were no mites in the sticky tape skin sample he took and nothing in the hair sample but just lots and lots of bacteria. He thinks it could either be from one of the others scratching her and getting infected or scratching herself. So I was sent home with a medicated shampoo, Malaseb and told to wash her every two days, that's going to be fun. :cheeky:
She should improve in a week. If not, she has to wear a rat body sock :giggle: .
Gosh I never thought I would be wishing for mites - at least that would be an easy fix.
So has anyone had this and what do you think about the shampoo solution?

Your vet said that you have a "rip roaring Skin Infection going on here?" LOL... that is priceless!!! :laugh4:

Grand to hear that she is already getting better! :bunnydance: