AI am unaware of any reports of rats having allergies from corn. Dogs and humans are very different from rodents regarding allergies. Most often, the skin problems that rodents experience are from the bedding material itself or external parasites, rather than from the diet.

If sufficient time has passed after all environmental factors (caging, bedding material, external parasites, etc.) have been removed or changed and the problem has not resolved with Ivermectin treatment, I would first suggest trying a short course of antibiotics to rule out a bacterial etiology (cause). Following this, if the rat still had problems, and the owner wanted to pursue an allergic etiology, then I would recommend feeding one of the hypo-allergenic dry dog food diets for 6 weeks. If improvement was noted, then I would slowly add in additional fruits, vegetables, and starches. I am a proponent of feeding rodents a mixed diet, based on either a high-quality rodent block or dog food (if no block is available), in combination with washed fruits, vegetables, and starches.

Using a combination of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory steroids, such as the tetracycline and hydrocortisone spray that Nichole used for refractory (difficult) skin problems, can be extremely useful but are not without their risks. I would imagine that the spray is intended for dogs with “Hot Spots” from chewing themselves because of fleas. Anti-inflammatory steroids are extremely potent and powerful medications, and they are used extensively in veterinary medicine for itching related to allergies or hypersensitivity. Unfortunately they do not eliminate the underlying cause of the itching and can make the problem worse.

Anti-inflammatory steroids are absorbed systematically through the skin and there are risks associated with them. In general, if an animal is otherwise healthy, a few applications will probably not cause any problems. The exact mechanisms whereby steroids act are unknown, but it is clear that they suppress, but do not abolish most, and possibly all aspects of acute and chronic inflammatory processes. The side effects that may occur during treatment are related to the physiological effects. Some of the side effects include: increased water consumption (polydipsia), increased urination (polyuria), muscle wasting from protein catabolism, delayed wound healing, osteoporosis (decreased bone mass), bone fractures, increased appetite, and a decreased ability to fight off disease. Animals that are on chronic (long term) steroids, are particularly vulnerable to stress if treatment is terminated abruptly. Anti-inflammatory steroid treatment is palliative (provides relief), but not curative. Steroids are extremely useful, but should be used with care and under the direction of a veterinarian.

1. No treatment (control).
2. Two courses of ivermectin on days 1 to 4 and days 8 to 11.
3. Three courses of ivermectin on days 1 to 4, 8 to 11, and 15 to 18.
4. Four courses of ivermectin on days 1 to 4, 8 to 11, 15 to 18, 22 to 25.
5. Five courses of ivermectin on days 1 to 4, 8 to 11, 15 to 18, 22 to 25, and 29 to 32.

No pregnant or lactating females with pups were used as ivermectin accumulates in the milk and newborn rodents are highly susceptible to its neurotoxic effects.

Since ivermectin has no activity against pinworm ova (eggs) which survive for prolonged periods off the animal, the authors wanted to determine how many repeated treatments were needed to keep the rodents worm-free until all the ova had died or matured into adult worms and were susceptible to ivermectin.

Since cellophane tape tests are not entirely reliable and can be negative in heavily infected rodents, a complete necropsy with evaluation of cecal and colon contents for adult pinworms was necessary to confirm their complete eradication from ivermectin treatment.

AFRMA
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