Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / June 2006

"Tea Tree Oil contains upwards of 38% terpinen-4-ol. Data sheets state
that it is harmful if swallowed and, in humans, is an eye, skin and
respiratory irritant. It is a solvent of oil-base products e.g.
plastics, rubber, oil based paints etc. It is absorbed rapidly and
toxic effects noted in humans include central nervous system
depression, seizures, coma and respiratory depression.

In humans, terpinen-4-ol has a toxicity of 4.3 g/kg, corresponding to a
"completely safe" rating of between 3 and 5. One In rats, the lethal
dose (LD50 - dosage at which 50% of subjects are fatally poisoned)
is1.9 ml/kg (note: rats have relatively good liver function compared to
that of felines). One promoter of Tea Tree Oil glowingly cites four
cases of children swallowing up to 25 ml of Tea Tree Oil with no worse
effects than mild diarrhoea and drowsiness which passed within 24
hours, but conveniently ignored a case where a patient remained in coma
for 12 hours and semi-conscious for 36 hours following Tea Tree Oil
ingestion. "
http://messybeast.com/teatree.htm

That was on a website saying that its toxic to felines...

http://cj_whitehound.madasafish.com/Rats_Nest/Norway_Rats/HealthTips/pododermati
tis.htm
Suggests having a rat paddle in a diluted solution to help relieve
Pododermatitis

http://www.fancy-rats.co.uk/information/health/
Herbal remedies hit the rat's medicine cupboard!

More and more herbal remedies are becoming invaluable to treating
certain rat health problems. 'Tea Tree Oil' seems to be top of the
list, used for treating conditions such as itchy skin and bumblefoot.
'Rescue Remedy' a blend of different herbs has been used to treat rats
that are in shock or are stressed.

Personally, I would consider this "Rescue Remedy", but I wouldn't just
make it myself unless I could find a trustworthy dosage amount...

I once mentioned to my vet that I was going to use Tea Tree oil. She
told me to never use that on any animals. It is highly toxic. Besides,
the tea tree would help clear up the scabs but not get rid of the
mites. You need to get rid of the problem first.

Joanne
Owned by 20 rats

My story, which I am still dealing with, is a large raised thick circular
area from what looks like a allergic reaction to a possible spider bite.

I went to the ER and Doctor, no cream or prescription helped.

Except one thing I tried out of desperation and on a sheer whim....

NexCare Skin/Heel crack treatment from Wal-Mart.
It looks like a bottle of clear nail polish, but it's not of course.

I put it all over my wound area ,and in less than 12 hours I could see the
amazing difference.

One of the main ingredients was Tea Tree Oil.

It has been the only product to work on me.
It releives the itching and pain and heals the skin quite nicely.

Samantha C. in Oklahoma

Whiskers is fine, and the part were i was putting it on her has cleared up,
no scabbing and she appears much much better, doesnt seem to be scratching
and is more active.

im now rubbing it on the other parts, arond her neck and further down her
back, hopefully this tea tree oil is a magic cure..

im slowly putting the 2 rats in with each other now, but i keep thinking
they are fighting, but like punching each other, not biting or anything.
more of licking and grooming

Well whiskers, seems fine and healthy, all her scabs have healed up, im
guessing if their were any mange mites, they are gawn as well because she
isnt stratching as much.

Nill ill effects, she seems a lot happier now and has hair growing back were
it was balding.

cheers
Mad