A small something on the side of Ivory's face. . .?

[babygirl12]

I was checking Ivory out ealier today, and i noticed a small bump or something on the side of her face. But I dont really think its a lump, because it mostly like its on the outside of her skin. I just checked a few minutes ago, and then I asked my mom to see what it was, and she said maybe it is a scab, or somthing. So then we got the fur around it a little bit damp, so i could see it easily, and its kindof a dark reddish-brownish color (i think). Im not sure if  its anything serious, but she scratches around there with her foot sometimes, like maybe it could be an itchy bug bite or something that turned into a scab. Maybe she got hurt playing, or play-fighting with Lily. Im not sure, but i thought i would get online and check here first. Please help. . .

[Cheze2]

If you could post a picture that would help us to see what it is you are looking at to get a better idea

[Lise]

She could have mites.  They are usually not visible to the human eye... so the first visible symptom is usually scabs or lesions.

[babygirl12]

Yes thats what i was thinking, I will take a few pictues tonight. Just to tell you, its really realy tiny, so im not sure if you will be able to see it in the pictures. I will post 2 or 3 pictures tonite or tomorrow afternoon at about 2:00PM or 3:00PM.


But from what i said, do you think it could be serious??  

QUOTE:
She could have mites.  They are usually not visible to the human eye... so the first visible symptom is usually scabs or lesions.

Are mites serious?? Because she has been scratching lately. . .Actually both of them scratch. But if i find out that it is mites, what can i buy to get rid of the mites? (I can get the stuff at a petstore, right?)   And what is a lesion?

[wonderrodent]

It could also be like you said that she scratched herself or her sister was a little bit rough on her while grooming.
If you don't treat the mites your girl will be miserable (very itchy). I am not sure what other consequences mites could have. Call your vet and he will probably give you "Revolution" that you put between your rats' (treat both of them) shoulder blades. The amount the vet will give you depends on the girl's weight.

Please, do NOT buy anything over the counter (like flea/mite/lice sprays from pet stores)!! Just recently, there was a very sad post on here about a rat that died from a OTC spray.

[babygirl12]

Ok. But isnt there something like a powder you can sprinkle on them? Because my friend has a hamster, and it had mights, so she got this stuff that was liquid that she put on him, and she gives him baths now.  (can hamsters have baths?)

But i will try and do that. And i will try and get a picture, (if anyone still wants a pic) If anyone has any information, please help.

[RKEM]

Go to the vet and get something for mites. It's a quick treatment and what your vet will give you will be safe for rats and with the appropriate dosage. Over the counter stuff is really not a good idea.

[1lila1]

My rats had scabs like that and I thought they were just from playing around and being rowdy boys.  Turns out they had lice!  You may want to take her to the vet just in case.  It was really simple to treat.

[Kimmiekins]

(can hamsters have baths?)

Some people do, but it's a huge risk of death if they catch a chill (bathing removes the natural oils from the coat, which a hamster needs).

As everyone else stated, please have her checked by a vet before giving her anything. You don't want to treat a problem that doesn't exist, or make anything worse.

[Amykins]

You should go to the vet with her and get something for lice or mites.  Also, be sure to trim her back toenails, she could be scratching herself and giving herself scabs if her toenails are too long.

[babygirl12]

ok i we will go to the vet or call the vet and see what he says. But how much scratching is too much? Because they only scratch once in a while. The rats in my zoology class scratched themselves. How can i tell if its accessive?

[Dork123]

It's hard to say about scratching... We don't know how often your rats scratch, and even if they don't scratch horribly right now, they might still have mites.  I'd take them to the vet just in case.  You can't mess around with something like mites or lice... Trust me.  :-/ 

[happybat]

I let my lads' mites get out of hand, because I mistook the scabs for the result of bites (cue several potentially unnecessary neuters). As a result, they have been a nightmare to get rid of, and cost me a fortune in vet bills - I am only just beginning to see the scabs clearing up after seven weeks. I'd strongly agree with those folk who are suggesting going to the vet now - if I had, my and my guys would have been a lot happier.

[RKEM]

As a sidenote, and a slight thread  highjack, after having loads of problems with recurring mites, my vet switched from invermectin to advantage (I think) it's the liquid that you put on the skin. She prepares all the doses for each rat in advance and it costs me like 30 dollars for 3 treatments for 3 rats. So far I've only done the first treatment and it has worked wonderfully.

Another reason to go to the vet is that when mites are starting to cause lesions (scabs and scratching), it is very often a sign that the immune system of your rats is taking a dip. In fact, most of the myco flareups I've seen in my rats have been preceeded by a mites resurgence. The vet says that the two are linked because when the rat's immune system is healthy it keeps the mites in check.