RatPalace.com - Pet Rat Care and Discussion

Mon Feb 13, 2006 4:30 am

Both my daughter and myself have rashes on our neck and shoulder areas from handling our rats. I'm pretty sure it's from handling our rats because the only place the rash occurs is right on our neck/shoulder area where our new baby rats like to sit. And after we handle them we itch like crazy. We both have a raised bumpy rash with lots of little red circles. I put anti itch cream on us but it doesn't help much.

"Cuddles" is scratching an awful lot and now has a small amount of fur missing with a few small scabs. "Muffin" scratches a little but doesn't have missing fur or scabs. The area where the fur is missing on "Cuddles" is on the upper back and neck area. Could it be mites? Could they have given us mites also? How do you treat it on humans?

I know Ivermectin or Zimecterin is good for mites, but can I give it to our rats while they are on Erythromycin for an upper respiratory infection? If I can't treat them for the mites while they are on antibiotics, then how do I ease their discomfort? I hate to see the poor little things suffer. If you know what's wrong and how to help me, please let me know, I would really appreciate it.

Mon Feb 13, 2006 4:37 am

It could well be mites.... but that's unlikely to make you itch as mostly mites don't cause problems in other species... one kind of mite (less common) can cause temporary itching, but it's probably more likely a hypersensitivity or allergy to the urine on their feet. Their nails can cause tiny scratches on the skin which can bring their humans up in bumps. Have you tried taking an antihistamine or using an antihistamine cream? You can also trim their nails and wash their paws before handling them, or cover your skin up as much as possible.

You can use ivermectin while they are getting erythromycin, yes.

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Andy & The Rats

~ Darwin ~ Maisie ~ Ella ~ Zak ~

~ Finn ~ Malachi ~ Azrael ~ Newton ~ Charlie ~

Mon Feb 13, 2006 5:09 am

Whew, what a relief! It's nice to know that I probably don't have mites. The thought of me or my daughter having mites was a little creepy. Being sensitive to the urine on their feet or reacting to the scratches from their nails makes more sense. In fact, their nails are extremely sharp and have been leaving little scratches all over us. I know I need to trim their nails, but they're still babies only a couple of months old. Their nails are so tiny I'm afraid I'll hurt them. My husband has offered to help hold them while I gently file the tips of their toe nails, so I guess that's what I'll do.

If I take an antihistamine of any sort I'll immediately fall asleep, they always work more like sleeping pills on me. But keeping baby wipes nearby and cleaning their paws before they get on us is a good idea. I love to sew and have been thinking about making a little bib sort of thing to go around our necks. It could have little pockets to climb into for sleeping and a little fabric tunnel wrapping around the neck area for playtime. I've got tons of extra fabric laying around and I even have velcro to use to keep it on securely.

For some reason, our rats love to climb inside of our shirts and take a nap. I wish we could figure out how to turn them into lap rats instead of inside the shirt rats. Any ideas? Thanks for the help and the quick reply.

Mon Feb 13, 2006 5:15 am

Hehe glad I could help - bugs give me the itchies too, just the thought of them! But no, they generally stay on the rats. They can be carried on other animals (and humans) and inanimate objects to infect rats, but they generally don't even cause problems in humans.... fleas can bite humans of course, and one kind of mite can cause temporary itching and soreness - but it doesn't need any specific treatment for you. Just the rats, the cage and the surrounding areas etc.

I bet they'd really love those bibs - especially if they like crawling inside things.

As for making them lap rats - time really. Babies tend to like shirt diving and exploration (particularly girl rats) and some will snuggle in your lap from an early age, while others need more time to get to that point.... and some never do. But lots of snuggles, socialisation and loving will increase your chances. However, I quite like having shirt diving rats, so I wouldn't be too bothered either way. wink

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Andy & The Rats

~ Darwin ~ Maisie ~ Ella ~ Zak ~

~ Finn ~ Malachi ~ Azrael ~ Newton ~ Charlie ~

Mon Feb 13, 2006 6:04 am

My rats do the same thing to me. I have figured that it is their nails.

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Crystal...The Ratties..Cocoa & Splinter...The Doggies...Jack & Molly

Mon Feb 13, 2006 7:49 am

If lots of snuggling, cuddling and socialization will increase my chances of getting them to be lap rats then we are well on our way. The moment my girls get home from school they drop their backpacks on the floor and run off to get their rats. "Cuddles" name is appropriate as she tends to climb down my oldest daughters shirt and cuddle. But my younger daughter takes "Muffin" and makes mazes and obstacle courses for her which "Muffin" loves. We got a huge 3 foot by 2 foot rubbermaid tub of building blocks of varying sizes and shapes at a garage sale for $3. They are perfect for making mazes and building towers with steps up to them with treats at the top. I have to insist the rats have a half hour break every couple of hours, but as soon as the break is over they are back in the girls arms. These rats are becoming very, very spoiled!

Do you have any suggestions on anything that I could use at home to ease "Cuddles" itchy skin? A cream perhaps, or maybe a lotion of some sort? I can't get to the store till tomorrow and I hate to see her looking so miserably itchy.

Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:04 am

Hmmm not really - the rats will tend to lick most things off. A lukewarm bath might soothe her a little (though prepare for much wet rat in shirt and nailmarks everywhere! Long sleeves are a must, even if they get wet) or an oatmeal bath - if you have any porridge oats (not the instant kind) then put a handful into some gauze or muslin, tie it up and run the hot water through it into the bath (or sink, though they tend to stay in baths more than sinks) - it will make it milky. Then cool down with cold water and try that. That can help to soothe itchy skin. If you have any children's bendryl liquid, you might be able to give her that - let me know if you do, tell me the active ingredient and how much is in each ml or 5mls of solution and remind me how much she weighs.

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Andy & The Rats

~ Darwin ~ Maisie ~ Ella ~ Zak ~

~ Finn ~ Malachi ~ Azrael ~ Newton ~ Charlie ~

Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:12 am

I don't have any children's Benadryl, only the adult stuff, but I do have the oats. I think I might try that, though it will be messy I'm sure. Thanks for the suggestion.