Rat Health Articles
Sarcoptic mange mites
The most common form of mites that pet rats get are fur mites (Radfordia ensifera), but it is possible for them to suffer with sarcoptic mange mites too. The mite that causes it is Notoedres muris. Both these types of mites only affect rodents and cannot live on humans as a host, but the mange mite is capable of causing irritation to human skin.
These mites prefer furless skin, so signs will show on the ears, tail and nose as well as causing the rat excessive itching and scabs around the head and shoulders. There are extreme symptoms which occur in untreated cases.
Firstly the ears will show small white, yellow or red pimples on them, which if still left untreated will go on to form a frilly 'cauliflower ear' wart-like appearance over the entire edge of each ear, which sometimes looks crusty. Another symptoms is spots or scabs on the tail.
If left untreated long-term, the rat can develop a growth on the nose too, which looks quite alarming, it may be misdiagnosed as a wart and looks horn-like, extending upwards from the tip of the nose. You would only see this 'horn' in extreme cases of neglect usually, it is very rare.
Diagnosis:
The mange mite burrows under the skin, and so if it is suspected before symptoms show on the ears, a skin scrape
can be done to destinguish it from normal fur mites, which don't show with a scrape. But, sometimes a skin scrape
gives a false negative, and is not actually necessary anyway, as it should clear up using the same treatment as
for fur mites.
Treatment:
Ivermectin or Selamectin (Revolution in the US, Stronghold in the UK) treatment. Prescription required from a vet.
Early stage of sarcoptic mange mites on the ear of a rescue rat
Photo by Joolz
Article by Joolz