Rat has orange particles on back?

Question

Today me and my wife bathed our two rats, one hairless and one capped white. When we did the capped rat he turned out to have some orange particles in his fur, on the same spot where the orange oil stain was located. We were a bit concerned about it being lice or mites since they fit the orange descripcion. But they don't seem to move at all and we can't find any nits whatsoever. What could these orange particles be and do we need to be concerned? I have the faint idea these particles are simply clogged up oil in the fur, but I'm not too sure. At the moment there's not enough money to go to the vet so We gotta do with what we have. We do have this spray for bunnies, guina-pigs, rats and chinchillas to get rid of fleas and ticks; if they turn out to be mites will this work against them too? Of course with multiple treatments because of nits.

Answer 1

im not sure what they are but u should seek advise from a vet or from a pet shop they might no hope this helps

Answer 2

The orange particles are probably just dander that's all orange from the oils and such. My sister had that happen with her rat and it wasn't any mites or parasites or anything and cleared up with a medicated shampoo.

Answer 3

Just buckgrease! Boys rats produce lots of this.

"My male rat has what looks like orange dandruff. How do I get rid of it?

Unneutered males are prone to buck grease, an oily orange skin discharge usually caused by an overproduction of testosterone. An increase in more omega-3 fatty acids in their diet usually helps. Give them flaxseed oil or olive oil on wheat bread a 2 - 3 times a week. This not only reduces the buck grease, but also improves the condition of their coat, making it softer and shinier. "

From: http://www.ratclub.org/ratcare_faq.htm

Answer 4

my rats have this also, i wash them every 2-3 weeks and it goes, then within a day or 2 it comes back, i've never worried about it as i believe it is just dirt that is on their feet/hands/nails and then they itch/clean themselves and it rubs off onto their coat. i really wouldn't worry if i were you, however if you are concerned then take a trip to the vet, but i'm sure it's nothing :)