Overgrooming! Help!

**manthaj89** · #1 09-06-06, 07:43 pm

My rattie is over grooming herself. She has bald spots all over.... What do I do?!? help!

Vanilla · #2 09-14-06, 08:27 pm

Are you sure she is over grooming? Bald spots can be caused by mites,lice or allergies as well.

**VoodooJoint** · #3 09-14-06, 08:37 pm

It sounds more like a medical problem and I think a vet visit is in order. As Vanilla said it could be mites, lice or allergies or it could be many other things like ovarian cysts, fungal infection, ringworm, etc...

**manthaj89** · #4 09-15-06, 09:41 am

yeah... she has little reddish bugs all over her... is that mites? They are as tiny as a pinprick. Any Ideas on how to get rid of them?

**VoodooJoint** · #5 09-15-06, 09:56 am

Reddish bugs sound like Chiggers. Chiggers are very tiny but can be seen by the naked eye. Mites are microscopic thus are invisible unless looked at through a microscope.

Here is a thread I responded to on Guinea Lynx. It has links and chigger info Guinea Lynx :: Topic - Need help asap!

Have you been bit by any of them?

Here is the basic info
[FONT=Arial]http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2100.html[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]To test for Chiggers-[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]"Place six-inch squares of black cardboard on edge in the grass (or in the cage) and observe for a few minutes. Any small, yellowish or pinkish chiggers present will climb rapidly to the top of the square and congregate there" [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]It seems the main treatment is a good bath and clean and scrub that cage well. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]Some people say Revolution works on Chiggers but I'm not certain.[/FONT]

**manthaj89** · #6 09-16-06, 06:55 pm

hm... well I havnt been bit by any. I was thinking it was mites because I have read other sites saying that sometimes you can see mites. She is really itchy and she has little sores all over, and bald patches on her behind and her tummy is all bare. It lookes like is got shaved.

**VoodooJoint** · #7 09-16-06, 07:54 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by manthaj89

I was thinking it was mites because I have read other sites saying that sometimes you can see mites.

It is impossible to see mites. hat is why some vets take skin scrapings. It is because the need to look at the sample under the microscope to see the mites.

Whatever website you got that info from is 100% wrong.

**manthaj89** · #8 09-17-06, 08:43 pm

hmm.... any idea of what it could be then?

**VoodooJoint** · #9 09-17-06, 09:06 pm

I already told you, it sounds like chiggers, but I could be wrong. I highly recommend you make a vet appointment for tomorrow and get your rat seen by a pro. Whatever it is the rat is in obvious discomfort.

**manthaj89** · #10 09-19-06, 07:59 pm

Do you know about how much that will cost? Right now I dont have any money

. I have to wait untill payday

**VoodooJoint** · #11 09-19-06, 08:25 pm

Please call your vet and ask what the exam will cost. Tell them what you are seeing and an estimate of the cost of treatment.

Honestly though, your pet is suffering, She may not have until "Payday". Beg or borrow the money or ask your vet about a payment plan but please, if you care about your rat you will stop delaying and get the poor girl to the vet.

**manthaj89** · #12 09-20-06, 08:43 am

ok I will. Thankyou!!

Rogue · #13 09-23-06, 04:18 am

sorry to pop this back up but it sounds like lice to me. They are small red cigar shaped bugs in the fur and can often be seen gathering at the base of the tail.

You will need to get your rat to the vet and get a course of ivermectin - it can be given either as an injection, a spot-on type, or orally. I prefer the spot on as they are less stressful for the rat in question and the treatment can be done at home.

Hopefully you have already got her to a vet and she has got some treatment!

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