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Dandruff or mange?

Rowebert Jul 26, 2007 09:00 PM

My rat Miss Pricilla got her bath today and she had some kind of orangious crust on her back. It's been awhile since she was washed, and I don't know what it is.

Replies (5)

PHRatz Jul 27, 2007 11:36 AM

>>My rat Miss Pricilla got her bath today and she had some kind of orangious crust on her back. It's been awhile since she was washed, and I don't know what it is.

That's the dander of rats. Usually it's males that you see it on but it can happen to females. It's a greasy oily type of natural dander.
The best way to get rid of it is to bathe her with a good shampoo.. I personally like dog shampoos for rat bathing.
Then after you've done that, get a small cat brush & brush her daily. When you do that every day you'll spread out those natural oils so it won't build up like that again.
Don't worry about it being a major problem, it's not.
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PHRatz

GrotesqueBurgess Jul 30, 2007 01:25 PM

As a add-on to the previous post, please make sure that you don't use just any dog shampoo. A lot of them are very strong. Rats are itty-bitty in comparison to most dogs, and so you should always buy puppy shampoo or gentle formula shampoo if you are planning to use it on a rat.
Better yet, buy some small animal shampoo. That way there is no worries.

PHRatz Aug 02, 2007 12:30 PM

>>As a add-on to the previous post, please make sure that you don't use just any dog shampoo. A lot of them are very strong. Rats are itty-bitty in comparison to most dogs, and so you should always buy puppy shampoo or gentle formula shampoo if you are planning to use it on a rat.
>>Better yet, buy some small animal shampoo. That way there is no worries.

Good point.. I don't use a dog shampoo that has insecticides in it. I like the soapless shampoos that are very mild & didn't think to say that.
Oatmeal shampoo is very mild too.
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PHRatz

Rowebert Aug 05, 2007 02:04 AM

I washed her in some head and sholders, just a drop and it cleared up. Thanks

FreedomDove Aug 01, 2007 01:40 PM

That is normal. I have it also to only be with older lazy males.

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