I have a 5 yr old spayed rattie...named Maggie who has severe allergies and the vet can't help. She was put on steroids which helped a bit to stop some of the scratching and feet licking but only cause pancraetitus. I have tried everything from benedryl, to herbal remedies, changed her food to grain and gluten free. She scratches constantly and makes huge sores and her eyes bleed. I know she is uncomfortable and I have resorted to dressing her in baby pjs, and her winter boots to help stop her, but she has now managed to get out of these. I have spent thousands on bi biopsys, and testing and still no cure. I am afraid my next resort will be to put her down because she is so uncomfortable. Please someone help me. Are allergies common in ratties. When I got her I didn't think so but now I am really beginning to wonder.

Oh poor Maggie.  Since you've had her tested at one vet, the first thing I would do is send an email to Sabine Contreras at her website http://www.betterdogcare.com/consultations.html  .  She does nutritional consultations and can start Maggie on an elimination diet right away. You'll probably need to feed her one source of protein and one carb that she hasn't had before. (like venison and pototoes for example) If it's a food allergy this is the only way to pinpoint the problem.  If it's not food then you'll learn that too and at least you can rule that out.  Instead of going from vet to vet throwing money at various treatments, you need a way to systematically pinpoint the problem. I wish you and Maggie luck and hope you at least contact Sabine to see what she says. It's a place to start with a small cost.

Thankyou everyone for your help, but I have already tried these things to no avail. She has been fed duck, and venison, and raw diet and still no help. The oatmeal baths help for about 5 minutes. She can't have cortizone shots because sohe developed pancraetisus from steroids in the past. We have been to 3 vets, and 2 natural paths as well as the animal hospital in Guelph, which is one of the largest in this country. She was checked for mange also and that came back negative. I am going to try a 4th vet in a couple of weeks, but was hoping someone knew a miracle for my baby. Thanks again. Maggie and her Mom

Hi Karen,

So sorry to read about Maggie's allergies, they do sound severe. I don't have a Rattie (yet), but one of my Foxhounds developed a severe allergic reaction when he was younger, which he has only partly grown out of (he's 6 now). His feet and face (and tummy, and legs...) would swell and become raw, and he would lick and be miserable. We narrowed it down to a grass allergy, which is not uncommon. It's the worst in the Spring with new grass. He has to stay off the grass (not easy with a big  hound) and we keep a benedryl cream on him. Did you keep Maggie on an isolation diet long enough to know it was not caused by her diet? Have you ripped all the carpet out of the house? Is there any cleaner or household chemical that you use that could be causing it? Sometimes it's a simple as the laundry detergent we use, or the floor cleaner used in the kitchen. It sounds like you've tried every avenue possible. I know sometimes putting them down is the kindest thing, but she is still so young, it's hard to go down that path unless you have to. Perhaps a completely different environment would do the trick? I don't know where you live, but if she's allegic to the plants in your yard or neighborhood, perhaps you might consider placing her in a completely different environment? Send her to a friend or relative who lives somewhere else for a trial run?

I do wish you all the best,

Rebecca