How to Help a Hairless Rat With Skin Infections & Cysts

Hairless rats make social and friendly pets, with a very unique appearance. But unfortunately, the trait that makes hairless rats so appealing (a bald appearance) also places these rats at risk of developing skin problems. Cysts and skin infections are a very common problem among hairless rats as oils, dirt and dead skin cells accumulate and block pores and follicles. A blockage results, and skin oils and sebum back up below the skin's surface.Fortunately, there are some fairly simple measures that pet owners can take to help manage and combat skin infections and cysts in hairless rats.

Things You'll Need

• Anti-bacterial soap
• Antibiotic cream
• Betadine iodine
• Cotton pads or sterile gauze pads
• Warm damp wash cloth
• Microwavable heat pack

Instructions

Treating Cysts and Skin Infections

1. Before handling a hairless rat, wash your hands using an anti-bacterial soap like Dial.

2. Wash the rat's skin using warm water and anti-bacterial soap like Dial once a week to remove dirt and excess oils.

3. Apply warm, wet compresses to the skin twice a week to promote natural exfoliation and cyst-free skin. Many cysts and skin infections arise due to dirt on the rat's skin, which does not have any protection from dirt and oils like a furred rat. Promote natural skin exfoliation and remove superficial dirt by applying warm compresses twice per week. Wrap a damp wash cloth around a microwavable heat pack and apply the compress to the rat's back and sides, the areas most likely to develop an infection or cyst. Keep the compress in place for 20 minutes and when complete, use the damp wash cloth to apply slight pressure, while rubbing the skin in a circular motion to remove dead skin cells.

4. Monitor the rat on a daily basis for any scratches or new cysts. Both scratches and cysts can develop into a full-blown skin infection.

5. For scratches and cysts, promote healing by swabbing the area with an antiseptic, anti-bacterial agent like Betadine Iodine (located in the first aid section of the drug store), applied to a clean cotton pad or sterile gauze pad. Clean the rat's skin lesion twice per day.

6. Once the Betadine has air-dried, massage a small amount of antibiotic cream (not ointment, which clogs pores) into the skin at the site of the infected skin or cyst.

7. If an infected scratch increases in terms of redness, swelling and tenderness, a visit to the veterinarian will be required to obtain oral antibiotics. Sometimes, the infection is so severe or deep in the skin that topical treatments simply aren't sufficient to promote healing.

Special Care for Cysts in Hairless Rats

1. Apply a warm, wet compress to the rat's skin before attempting to drain a cyst. Place a damp wash cloth around a microwavable heat pack. This should be applied for 20 minutes to soften the skin.

2. Wash your hands using an anti-bacterial soap before directly touching the rat's skin.

3. Gently apply pressure on either side of the cyst, for small cysts with a clearly formed head/center. A clear, thick paste or a white toothpaste-consistency material will emerge from the cyst. Most blockages will emerge with little discomfort for the rat, providing the skin is softened with a compress prior to the extraction. Monitor the area for healing, as additional blockage removal may be required.

4. Visit the veterinarian for assistance in lancing larger cysts. Some cysts will grow quite large (more than an inch in diameter) if they are not properly drained or if they become infected. These cysts will need to be lanced by a veterinarian to allow for proper drainage and healing. Oral antibiotics are often required to allow for complete healing of the infection.

5. Clean cysts with betadine and apply a small amount of antibiotic cream to promote healing and continue to monitor the rat's skin, because repeated drainings may be required. Betadine and antibiotic cream should also be applied to larger, infected cysts that are awaiting treatment from the veterinarian, in order to slow the development of the infection.

Tips & Warnings

• Closely monitor male hairless rats. A male's skin produces more oils, particularly on the back. If a yellow tint forms on the back of a male rat, use dish soap to gently wash the rat's back once a week. This will break-up the oils.

• Do not ignore a large cyst or a lesion that appears red, swollen and tender. These infections can spread, causing serious health problems for a hairless rat.

• Do not bathe a hairless rat more than once a week (once every two weeks for rats with dry skin). This can result in dry skin, and excess oil production by the skin, which creates even more oils when the natural oils are stripped away.

• Keep a hairless rat's cage very clean, with soft fabric bedding. Inappropriate bedding can cause scratches and lesions that are prone to infection. And a dirty cage makes a rat more likely to develop skin infections and sores.