Fur loss on female rat?

Question

I just got home from a 10-day trip yesterday, and noticed that one of my female rats has a patch of fur under her head (her neck) that isn't there. It doesn't look irritated or infected, just plain skin. There is also a patch missing on her left front leg. She lives with one other female which is very sweet. I also noticed that she looked a lot bigger, or fatter. Does anybody know why she is missing this fur?

Answer 1

It's the first sign of illness.  Rats usually only live 2-3 years and the last year of life is usually full of cancerous tumors.  That's why it's so difficult to own them.  They are the best pets, but have really short life-spans.  I personally could never have one due to this.  

Schedule an apt. with your vet...

Answer 2

She's most likely sick. I aam a hamster pro and this has happend to me before. My hamster had a patch of hair missing and she had a tumor. Please take your rat to the vet immediatly.

Answer 3

VET those are tumors, the first sign or tumors is fur loss on butt and head

Answer 4

she either is just sick or maybe not saaying that it is but has cancer so what i would do is take her to the vets office so you can find out what is is . Good Luck

Answer 5

Rats will often loose patches of hair when they get tumors or sick. I suggest feeling around for unusual lumps and/or going to a small animals veterinarian.  

Answer 6

well i don't wanna scare you, but when my friends hamster had that it was because her hamster had an tumor in her mouth that won't let her eat and her saliva dripped down her neck (they have acid in their saliva or something) and it had a patch,) It turned out it had cancer. But yours might have fleas or mites. Or maybe not a good diet and your hamster is therefor losing its fur. It might also be shedding. I would take it to the vet. Good luck =)