Okay all you rat enthusiasts...

[luckies4me]

I would definitely take him into the vet. Just make sure they do not inject the Ivermectin if they want to give him some. It should be applied topically.

[moosmom]

I just bathed him with baby shampoo. He was SOO good. Now he's scratching again. The scabs look sore. I'm going to call my vet and see if they can look at him.

Why is it not good to inject him with Ivermectin???

[moosmom]

I just called the vet. He's got an appointment at 4 pm today. I just want him to be happy and not itch!!

[moosmom]

$104 later...the vet isn't sure if it's a bacterial infection or something else. He's treating it as such and gave me Baytril to give him and an eye ointment for his missing eye. He was a good boy. He weighs 1.8 lbs. Since we got back he's been sleeping soundly. I asked the vet about his scabs and he said to let them be as it's the only to see if the meds are working and clearing up the boo-boos. If not, it's back to square one.

I hope it works. I feel so bad for him.

[luckies4me]

The vet didn't do a skin scraping? Very odd.

[moosmom]

Cass,

The vet tech suggested a skin scraping, but the vet said not to bother. He looked at Winkie's skin very closely (with a magnifier) and he said he didn't see any parasites. He's treating it as a bacterial infection. I have to bring him back in a week. He's not itching as much this morning. He's such a sweet little guy. Takes his medicine like a real trooper.

[luckies4me]

Well hopefully this will take care of it. My rats always loved Baytril, silly little things. It smells like alcohol so I have no idea why they enjoy it so much.

Well here's hoping for a quick recovery for little Winkie.

[moosmom]

I felt so bad for him that yesterday I went out and bought him all of his favorite foods, grapes, sweet potatoes, rat treats, nectarines. He's the best fed rat in the State of Connecticut and I adore him!

[Muddy4paws]

lol its weird how badly you grow attached isn't it? I would be lost without my 2!

[moosmom]

I never thought I could be so attached to a rodent!! But he is so sweet. Doesn't bite, actually licks me. Everyone in the vet's office came over to him sitting on my shoulder. All the vet tech's were coming into the examining room wanting to see him.

[Muddy4paws]

I know, I get that alot with mine! People ask how I can kiss my rat and have him on my shoulder and when he gives kisses!

[moosmom]

People ask how I can kiss my rat and have him on my shoulder and when he gives kisses!

Muddy4paws,

That's the best part!!!

[Miss Z]

I know, I get that alot with mine! People ask how I can kiss my rat and have him on my shoulder and when he gives kisses!

Hehe, the world would be an empty place without rattie kisses.

[moosmom]

Winkie is doing great! All his scabs are gone and the only time I see him scratching, it's to groom himself.

One of the vet techs from the clinic I took him to came into the store yesterday, recognized me and asked how he was doing.

[ramanth]

Glad to hear Winkie's doing better!