Balding rat
my pet rat, milo, almost all of the fur on his left rear leg is gone, down to the skin, hes kinda old, what can i do to slow the problem? will it ever grow back? hes kinda old, so i dont think its gonna grow back, around 2 years old
Answers:Sometimes loss of hair can be to do with boredom, but I know for a fact that Milo isn't bored, as you take him out every day and he is very much a loved pet rat. It could be because of his age, and the hair might not grow back now. But as long as he is happy, and eating, and noticing you when you go towards him, and he hears your voice and responds to you, then there isn't much else that you can do. I wonder if Milo is still carrying around bits of his bedding?
dont think the guy above me has any idea . i think thats what he's trying to say though why he beat about the bush so much i dont know
Older rodents will show signs of alopecia (hair loss). Usually around the face first but it is not uncommon in other areas as well. It may grow back but most likely not. There really isn't anything you can do to slow the problem.
As long as you know he is not chewing at himself he will be fine. If you see that he is try to give him some extra toys... the nylabones in small sizes work well at keeping them occupied. And you can get them right at most pet stores for only a couple of dollars.
Just don't give him any wood to chew on-- the chemicals can make him sick. Good luck!!
I've kept rats for years, and while I never had one go bald on the rear legs, in my early, inexperienced days, I did have one go bald on the neck & head. This was caused, it turned out, from nutritional deficiencies - I wasn't feeding him the right food. If you don't already have one, buy a rat care book, or at least research the dietary requirements of rats - they are different to mice. Once you have diet all worked out, you should also consider the possibility that he may have skin mites. You'l need to go to a vet for this to be confirmed, and while you're there, check for fungal or other skin conditions. Things like this can have many causes, so it's best to check with your vet rather than guess.
I would try rearranging his cage. This happened once to my male gerbil. A bald circular patch appeared on his hip and there was no sign of scratching or red skin and I checked for mites, which he had none. I just bought some new toys and rearranged the cage and the hair grew back. It's worth a shot.
I know you say he's not chewing on it but I doubt you're watching him 24/7! In such a localised patch it suggests he's something of a self-barber - especially on his back legs, which are easily reachable.