Bald and scruffy

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Whinging Courier - 19 Dec 2005 10:49 GMT

Right, that's enough about me...

I've got two male rats, they're both from the same litter, they're about
six months old and one is much bigger than the other one.

Sometimes I can hear squeaks and notice the big one is powergrooming the
smaller one. Just lately though I've noticed that Mr.Big (not his real
name) has become a lot more rough with his smaller sibling and when they
were out on out-time the other day I noticed a bald patch on the head of
the smaller one, just behind the ear.

At first I thought this might've been mites or a skin infection or
something but I noticed the tiniest scab and thought Mr.Big might be
bullying Mr. no-so-big.

One more thing I've noticed is that Mr. not-so-big has nowhere near the
same weight on and has a slightly scruffier coat - nothing too bad, I
mean he's not skinny and his coat's ok, it just looks like he's been
dragged though a hedge backwards.

Thing is, is there anything wrong with him or is he losing weight and
getting a scruffy coat due to stress and being bullied?

He's healthy enough and there's no discharges from anywhere, no sneezing
etc and he doesn't sit still for long but it's got me a bit concerned.

Cheers.

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Machine Messiah - 19 Dec 2005 23:55 GMT

> Right, that's enough about me...
>
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>
> Cheers.

Sounds like the big guy is eating the healthier bits of food and not
letting little guy have much.
Maybe you should let him out to play first and offer him some extra food
before the big fella comes out? I'd try adding a second food dish and
water bottle before splitting them up, that can make them pretty
unhappy. Is your cage multilevel?

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And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the Universe is going to
pieces in a most laudable manner.

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Whinging Courier - 20 Dec 2005 18:22 GMT

In alt.pets.rodents.rats, Machine Messiah amazed us all with this pearl
of wisdom:

> Sounds like the big guy is eating the healthier bits of food and not
> letting little guy have much.

That had occurred to me, too. I gave Little guy some pasta yesterday and
big buy came and took it off him. I always give them both equal amounts
when feeding by hand but them when I gave little guy another piece he
just dropped it.

> Maybe you should let him out to play first and offer him some extra food
> before the big fella comes out?

Yeah, that's a good idea.

> I'd try adding a second food dish and
> water bottle before splitting them up, that can make them pretty
> unhappy.

That's something I could try. They do seem to like a drink at the same
time and it's big guy that gets it.

> Is your cage multilevel?

Not exactly. It's a big Ferplast thing but only has two corner shelves
and a couple of hammocks and a few tubes.

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Machine Messiah - 30 Dec 2005 00:05 GMT

> In alt.pets.rodents.rats, Machine Messiah amazed us all with this pearl
> of wisdom:
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> Not exactly. It's a big Ferplast thing but only has two corner shelves
> and a couple of hammocks and a few tubes.

Hmm...
If it was multilevel you could put a second batch of water and food up
on a shelf for little guy while big guy scarfs all the goodies on the
bottom.

Signature

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the Universe is going to
pieces in a most laudable manner.

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Joanne - 20 Dec 2005 04:30 GMT

> Right, that's enough about me...
>
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>
> Cheers.

Hi!
Your boys have entered rattie hormonal puberty. Big guy is the boss and
he wants Little guy to know it.
But I would still suspect a mite/lice problem. The Little guy shouldn't
have a scruffy coat, in fact, the Big guy should have it because he,
being alpha should be secreting lots of sebum to prove his manhood.
So, do a mite treatment and check to see if Little guy is doing better.
As for size, Big guy is alpha and so he probably eats first and most in
order to stay alpha. If little guy is not all that skinny but just not
big like Big guy then I wouldn't worry too much. Skinny rats are
healthier rats. ;)

Joanne
Owned by 17 rats

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Whinging Courier - 20 Dec 2005 18:28 GMT

In alt.pets.rodents.rats, Joanne amazed us all with this pearl of
wisdom:

> Hi!
> Your boys have entered rattie hormonal puberty. Big guy is the boss and
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> big like Big guy then I wouldn't worry too much. Skinny rats are
> healthier rats. ;)

Thanks Joanne,

Little guy's healthy enough, just not as big as fatty ratty.

I'll try feeding them separately by hand and giving not-so-fatty-ratty a
few nibbles that alpha won't get to make him feel special.

Thanks for the reassurance about rat puberty, too.

I take it they'll grow out of this then?

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Joanne - 20 Dec 2005 18:34 GMT

> In alt.pets.rodents.rats, Joanne amazed us all with this pearl of
> wisdom:
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>
> I take it they'll grow out of this then?

Once the hierarchy has been established, then all should go back to
normal again. But this could take another 2 to 4 months.

Joanne
Owned by 17 rats

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Whinging Courier - 20 Dec 2005 22:28 GMT

In alt.pets.rodents.rats, Joanne amazed us all with this pearl of
wisdom:

> > In alt.pets.rodents.rats, Joanne amazed us all with this pearl of
> > wisdom:
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> Once the hierarchy has been established, then all should go back to
> normal again. But this could take another 2 to 4 months.

Well I've just caught fat rat, his name's Stink btw, gnawing the top of
little rat's head so I guess that's where the bald bit's coming from. I
got really angry and stabbed my finger through the bars at fat rat and
again. He disappeared off.

Ah, He's gnawing their wooden house now; that's better.

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Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / December 2005

Bald and scruffy