I've had this male blue-hooded rat for about a month now. He was larger than all the other males he was caged with (at the pet store, which told me he was 6 months old), and also the only one being 'blue'. It... Was an impulse buy. Bad, yes, I know. But I had to have him.

I'm paying for it now. He's covered in scabs, and won't stop scratching. He bleeds from the scratching and has bare spots underneath his chin. I've seen this before with other pet rats I've owned in the past. From what I know, it's a sign of them being "on their way out"... After the scabs, they start bleeding from all orifices. Nose, mouth, eyes, ears, etc. I haven't seen any of that yet, so I'm hoping there's something I can do. One clerk at the store said it might be "invisible mites". However, I'm doubting that, since he doesn't have the "cottage cheese" ears.

Please, help! I adore this rat, and I'd hate for his stay to be so short. He hasn't been exposed to any outside influences. I keep my breeder mice yards away from his tank, and they are all healthy.