Do rats smell with meds?

[hippogoddess]

I rescued a rat and he is on ivermectin from the vet and he smells. It's not like a dirty smell but  like a disinfectant kinda smell I don't know how to describe it. But I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this or if there is anyway to get rid of the smell it's quite overwhelming.
Thanks
Jen

[ratcrazied]

Hmm, never heard of that before. I suppose you could bathe him with a mild kitten shampoo. Rats, much like cats, don't like being wet or bathed but it can be done when absolutely needed.

[Sheri]

Sure it is possible for medications to leak smell through skin just like garlic on humans, but chances are he just a stinky man rat who needs a bath. I have always had male rats till this year and all had a distinct smell, but my King George II smells incredibly manly. Males release what is called buck grease and sometimes it can be very, very stinky like my George, and on others it's not bad. Give him a good bath, he may fuss, but I always found that when you put water in the tub, fold a towel and put in tub on far end and set him on towel, and he will get curious and dip his toes, then move in for the cleaning attack

[hippogoddess]

Well I quess it's bath time then. Thank you for the help hopefully this will make him a little less stinky. I love him either way but less stinky is good