Pet Rat With Skin Problems

Highly intelligent, social and affectionate animals, rats are considered wonderful pets. Although they are relatively easy to care for, they are susceptible to a number of health issues, many of which involve their skin. The accurate identification and treatment of your pet rat's skin problems can greatly improve its overall health and quality of life.

  1. Symptoms

    • Seemingly benign behavior such as scratching can indicate--or even cause--potentially seriously skin conditions in your pet rat. If a rat's nails are not kept trimmed, scratching can lead to bacterial infections or even abscesses. In addition to scratching, scabs on the skin or thinning hair are often the clearest indicators of a skin problem. The skin may feel flaky or granulated, and bald patches in the fur may appear. These are all indications that your rat may suffer from a condition that requires prompt attention.

    Parasites

    • According to an article by Carmen Jane Booth, D.V.M., in "AFRMA (American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association) Rat &Mouse Tales," among the most common causes of skin ailments in pet rats is the presence of parasites. Fleas are the easiest to diagnose, either visibly crawling beneath your rat's fur or evident by the dark excrement or "flea dirt" deposited on its skin. Smaller, lighter-colored rat lice also can reside on your pet, frequenting the area above the tail and behind the ears. Mites are another common rat parasite, and although detection is impossible without the aid of a microscope, the telltale signs include scabs, patchy or thinning fur and frequent scratching.

    Diet

    • If parasites are not responsible for your pet rat's skin problems, dietary factors could be the cause. A condition known as protein itch can be the result of a diet too high in protein, and it can lead to scratching and scabbing. In her article, Booth cautions against feeding store-bought seed mixes to a pet rat because a rat's selective eating habits can result in an imbalanced diet. Additionally, a low-fat diet can significantly reduce the instance of tumors in rats; tumors are another common skin problem plaguing domestic rats.

    Other Factors

    • Occasionally, a pet rat's skin problems are brought about by a reaction to its bedding. Softwood bedding such as cedar or pine is toxic to rats and should be replaced with a hardwood such as aspen. Changing the bedding regularly is also important in order to provide a sanitary living environment that is free of parasites. Ringworm is another common skin problem that is easily treated. Contrary to what its name may indicate, ringworm is not a parasite but rather a fungal infection of the skin that appears as a round or horseshoe-shaped lesion.

    Treatment

    • If a skin problem is suspected in a rat, only a veterinarian can give a proper diagnosis. The most common treatment for parasites is either topical or oral medicine that may be prescribed or sometimes purchased over the counter. Your veterinarian may administer a mild steroid to help ease the itching associated with many of these conditions.