What is this???

Originally I thought that Cole and his brother were just playing rough with each other and that's why he had so many wounds but after Digit had to be put down, the wounds did not go away. I brought him to the vet who gave him some antibiotics to see if that helps him. I'm just wondering if this is him overly grooming himself or something else. He does clean him self regularly and the wounds are only on his back and behind his ears.

That poor fella!!

I was looking around on Rat Guide when my girls were all scabby. The picture you've posted looks like some of the pictures I saw there, but I don't remember the cause.

You might want to check it out: http://ratguide.com/health/integumentary_skin/

Hope you can find a solution for your little man!

Yup I would guess mites! You should ask your vet for Revolution for kittens, then you just put a drop on his back and that should wipe them out. That is a very bad infestation though, so it may take a few treatments.

I would definitely treat for buggies first (Revolution), but it seems a bit extreme, so I wonder about him possibly having an allergy, or even if it has turned into pyoderma. See how he is in a couple of weeks. If it is only mites, then he should be greatly improved. If he isn't, then it may be time to look at other causes.

Didn't you post something about this before and were advised to get revolution then? I do agree though that at this point you will probably need to treat at least twice.

http://www.ratshackforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33063&highlight=digit

If one rat has mites, I would think that the other would be infested as well and his brother had no little scabs on him.

Pit said:

If one rat has mites, I would think that the other would be infested as well and his brother had no little scabs on him.

Click to expand...

His brother was infested too, but his immune system was able to prevent this reaction. It is common for only one or two rats to present with symptoms. None the less, all are infested.

You'll want to get the Revolution ASAP. It is very affordable, especially from the vet. If you have to, you can order it online. It is a bit more expensive that way.
Show your vet this information to help them recognize mites in rats:
http://ratguide.com/health/integumentary_skin/ectoparasites.php
http://www.ratfanclub.org/skin.html (has pictures)
http://ratguide.com/health/figures/ectoparasites_figure_1.php (has pictures)
http://www.shadowrat.com/rats/lawrence.html (has pictures)
The treatment is so simple and affordable, there's no reason the little guy should have to suffer.
Mites do not go away on their own, they can cause immune deficiencies and anemia and can cause death.

Also, for temporary relief, you can rub him with a little olive oil.