My rat has skin sores, hair loss, and red crusty eyes. What's wrong?

Question

my rat has large and small sores/scabs, raw areas hair loss - thinking allergies maybe as the rat with her is happy and healthy.....mites would infect them both I would think....they also have bloody crusty's around their eyes - the second rat is just starting to show these. The pictures are terrible - old camera - moving rat - bad photographer...sorry. Pet's info: Other | Unknown - Other | Female | 0 lbs

Mirissa Duncil, DVM · Accepted Answer

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! When I see patients like this the first thing I do is a skin scrape to check for residual parasites like mites (which I suspect here) If none are found, often I will do a culture to make sure no resistant bacteria or fungi (like ringworm-another possibility high in the list) infect the skin, and if so what kind. Thank you for attaching pictures! It is very helpful to us. The "blood" that you are seeing is likely a secretion called porphyrin...it can be released due to stress or illness. I hope this information helps! If you need further assistance or would like a consult please don't hesitate to ask.

My rat has skin sores, hair loss, and red crusty eyes. What's wrong?

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