Rat flea: how to get rid of it, what product to use?

Fleas appeared. How to solve a problem?

The flea is a blood-sucking insect and belongs to the order of arthropods. The length of its body is only 1-5 mm. They have strong and long limbs, thanks to which they move. The life cycle ranges from several months to 2-3 years, and can go without food for a long time. A mature female lays eggs, then larvae emerge from them, which are small white worms. After 1-1.5 weeks, the larvae turn into pupae, and then adult insects emerge.

Reasons for appearance.

2. Cluttered room.

3. Carrying things, food, building materials, etc. into the apartment.

4. Infestation of basements with rodents.

5. Migration of fleas from public corridors, entrances, and from neighbors.

Arthropods can be carriers of infectious diseases such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, typhoid, plague, malaria and other infections, and their bite causes pain, irritation, itching and redness of the skin.

The priority areas for flea infestation are carpets, bedspreads, linen drawers, upholstered furniture, resting areas for pets, under baseboards, window sills and wallpaper, and other secluded places, grooves and crevices.

Types of fleas.

Cat and dog fleas.

Fleas that live on cats and dogs live in the animal's fur, but often bite people too. Dog and cat flea bites are dangerous because they get on the fur from rodents or other infested animals. They multiply very quickly. Fleas are eliminated from the animal by treating it with special shampoos, sprays, and drops on the fur. Don’t forget to treat your pets’ resting areas.

Ground or basement fleas.

Earth fleas can enter residential areas mainly during warm periods through windows and doors. Warm air temperatures, lack of ventilation and light, high humidity and dampness, dirt and dust contribute to their rapid reproduction. Cluttering the basements of apartment buildings, as well as the infestation of rodents and stray animals, is guaranteed to contribute to the appearance of fleas.

You can get rid of fleas in your apartment yourself using special insect repellents, provided that the cause of their infestation is eliminated. Thus, if you have fleas that you brought from the basement or entrance of an apartment building, then exterminating insects in the apartment will be advisable when carrying out a set of measures in all occupied premises. Unresolved causes of the appearance of arthropods (clutter, infestation by rodents and stray animals, high humidity and dampness) directly affect the quality of flea treatments and the duration of action of insect repellent preparations.

Algorithm of actions when carrying out flea treatments.

To remove insects, you can use any aerosol insecticide, dusts and prepared solutions of insecticide concentrates.

The most important thing before use is to put on a gauze bandage or cover your nose and mouth with a handkerchief to prevent the substance from entering the respiratory tract and causing poisoning.

1. cleaning the premises

2. applying special preparations to kill arthropods, according to the instructions, including in all hard-to-reach places.

3. ventilate the room, it is recommended to wash off the product where contact with hands is possible.

After treatment, it is advisable not to wash floors and baseboards for 4-5 days. The fleas die within 24 hours, but the insects will not immediately leave you alone, which is a normal process: eggs will hatch within 1-2 weeks. Once on the treated surface, they will die within 1-2 days. If after 2 weeks the situation has not improved, it is recommended to repeat the treatment.

The Federal Budgetary Institution of Health "Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology in the Republic of Mordovia" offers to order special treatment at home. Our list of services also includes the treatment of basements and attics using the effective “hot fog” method. Our specialists will competently select a method for exterminating insects and a preparation for you.

More detailed information regarding the implementation of insect extermination activities can be obtained from the specialists of the Federal Budgetary Institution "Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology in the Republic of Mordovia"

in person (Saransk, Dalnyaya str., 1A,

by phone +7 8342 333 175, +7 8342 333 615

Source

Rat ticks

If your rats are constantly itching or have crusty skin, they likely have mites. An exception may occur if you have a rat that is stressed, sick, or elderly. An animal may show symptoms of ticks even if it does not bother other animals in the cage. In this case, your older rat may have a weakened immune system, making him more susceptible to mites.

Here are the different types of mites your pet can get:

• Rat fur mite (Radfordia ensifera)

Mites that appear on fur are most often found on rats. They are usually present in small quantities without causing problems. Mites as the cause of your pet rat's itching are actually very difficult to diagnose. Your veterinarian may perform a skin scraping test and examine the samples under a microscope. However, these tests do not always detect mites even if they are present. Some veterinarians choose not to perform these tests and instead go straight to treatment to rule out the presence of mites.

• Ear mites (Notoedres muris)

Ear mites are much less common than fur mites. The presence of these mites can be detected by crusts on the ears, nose, tail and feet. These mites burrow into the skin, are microscopic in size, and (like fur mites) live only on rats.

• Tropical rat mites (Ornithonyssus bacoti)
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The least common type of mite found on pet rats, the tropical rat mite can bite humans and other animals, as well as rats. Filled with blood, they are visible to the human eye. Their color is usually dark red, brown or black. Tropical rat mites live in cracks around the cage.

The best treatment for ticks is a topical medication prescribed by your veterinarian. Even if the skin scraping and tests are negative, your veterinarian may still prescribe Ivermectin or Mitaban. These medications will not cause harm even if your rat does not appear to have mites. In fact, using these remedies can help determine whether mites are actually causing your rat's itching. An alternative treatment for ear mites is the use of petroleum jelly.

Do rats have fleas?

If rat fleas get into the house, their first target is domestic rodents - decorative rats, hamsters, guinea pigs. A pet can die from a parasite attack. If there are no such animals, fleas feed on the blood of cats, dogs, birds, and humans.

The main place of their localization is bedding and houses for pets, old carpets. They do not live on the body of their owner, but only attack to feed.

Risk areas for flea infestation are garbage chutes, basements, places where garbage and waste accumulate. Insects cling to clothes, shoes, bags, and animal fur while walking.

Indoors, they immediately find places to hide and reproduce:

• joints of window frames and door frames with the wall;
• space behind the baseboards;
• wood floor cracks;
• upholstery of upholstered furniture;
• trash bin storage location.

If there is an old carpet that has not been washed for a long time, there is a risk that it will become a place for a large accumulation of fleas. Sometimes they hide in stacked bedding and towels. They can get inside the pillow if they find a hole.

Treatment of an infected rat

Specifying the type of parasite and prescribing treatment should be carried out by a specialist in a veterinary clinic, since different medications are used to destroy external and subcutaneous parasites. In case of complications, the animal is prescribed anti-inflammatory ointments, immunostimulating drugs and a course of vitamins and antibiotics.

Insecticidal preparations are highly toxic; if handled incorrectly or in excess of the dosage, there is a risk of poisoning a decorative rat. It is advisable that the animal be treated by a veterinarian; it is also permissible to treat a furry pet at home in a well-ventilated area, strictly following the recommendations of a specialist.

At the same time as treating your pet, you need to throw away the bedding, disinfect the cage and all accessories several times, change the filler, and treat the entire room with repellents. It is advisable to throw away all wooden objects from the cage; they can be places where parasites accumulate. The rodent's claws should be trimmed short during treatment to prevent scratching of the skin.

When keeping domestic rats in groups, all rats must be treated repeatedly to avoid re-infection. If a pet is bitten by fleas or bedbugs, it is recommended to treat all pets living in the house with insecticides, as well as the room itself: carpets, upholstered furniture, mattresses, floors, etc.

Ways to combat parasites

The most effective way to rid your home of fleas is to call a professional. They will carry out comprehensive treatment of the premises using professional means. Exterminators can be ordered from the sanitary and epidemiological station or a private insect control company.

To prevent re-infection, it is necessary to poison the parasites from your neighbors, since getting rid of rat fleas in one apartment is not enough. They easily move around the entrance and penetrate through doorways and cracks.

It is also necessary to carry out preventive measures in basements and attics.

An important stage in the fight against insects is the treatment of all domestic animals, replacing their bedding with new ones.

Drugs

Aerosols are a popular remedy - they can be used to remove rat fleas from an apartment, as well as treat animal fur with special compounds.

Medicines for pets are purchased at a pet store, and for general treatment of the premises, sprays from hardware stores and supermarkets are suitable: Raid, Kombat, Raptor, Medilis Cyper, Karbofos.

Insect killing dusts are effective against flea larvae. Among the well-known drugs are “Fas”, “Pyrethrum”, “Clean House”.

Prevention of parasites

If you suspect all rats have parasites, you should completely empty their cage, clean and disinfect all contents, as well as the cage itself. Throw away anything wooden or cardboard inside the cage. If there is carpet in the room, it is worth having it professionally cleaned if possible. Professional carpet cleaners are usually relatively inexpensive and can clean carpets in a very short time.

In any case, it is recommended to clean and disinfect the cage and its contents at least once a week.

• Caring for Rat Paw Nails

Keep your rat's toenails trimmed to prevent scratches and wounds they may inflict on themselves. Damaged skin caused by scratches allows bacteria to enter. Once the scabs form, the rats begin to itch. This leads to a vicious cycle of more scratches, skin damage, bacteria and scabs. Some rats need their toenails trimmed once or twice a week.

Appearance

These insects are divided into varieties; the most common type of flea is the southern rat flea.

With the naked eye it is impossible to distinguish them from other relatives - dogs, cats and domestic ones. Only a specialist can determine the species under a microscope.

The rat flea looks similar to other representatives of the genus: the body has an elongated shape, flattened on the sides, the back part is raised due to long jumping limbs.

It is covered with chitinous cover and has a dark brown color. Length – from 3 to 5 mm.

Symptoms of infection

Flea bites cannot be ignored - when the proboscis is inserted under the skin, they do not inject any anesthetic enzymes, like other blood-sucking insects.

In addition, the wounds are very visible externally - the parasites cause irritation on the skin, which is accompanied by itching, swelling, and redness. Most often, it is bites on a person that reveal their presence in the house.

If a rat has fleas, scratching marks, bald spots and scabs will be noticeable on its body. The pet will jump sharply from time to time, reacting in a similar way to painful bites.

Other pets exhibit the same symptoms as when infected with other types of fleas - nervousness, constant scratching of the skin, especially in hard-to-reach places.

How to remove fleas from a pet rat: the best remedies for the pest

Fleas are insects that poison the lives of domestic and wild animals.

When walking a four-legged friend, even if there is not a single parasite on him, picking up a flea or its egg is not a tricky thing. A new persecution and treatment of dogs and cats begins.

Even decorative rats have these pests. And they also cause them a lot of inconvenience. Today we’ll talk about how to remove fleas from a pet rat, and consider the best and most effective means.

What is the danger to humans?

The rat flea can be a carrier of a dangerous disease. If such an insect bites a person, an infection enters the body along with the saliva. In the worst case scenario, it will turn out to be a plague bacillus - the causative agent of the plague.

Other possible diseases include:

• hepatitis (its different forms);
• AIDS;
• typhoid fever;
• encephalitis;
• salmonellosis;
• brucellosis;
• anthrax.

Like house fleas, rat fleas leave behind many unpleasant symptoms, some of which require special treatment and can be dangerous.

Consequences of a bite

After a rat flea bite, wounds remain on the skin, which bring physical and mental suffering to a person.

Most common symptoms:

• redness and swelling of the skin;
• burning, severe itching;
• elevated temperature;
• vomiting, diarrhea;
• difficulty breathing, feeling of chest tightness;
• headache (in the back of the head).

Sometimes sleep disturbances, weakness, and decreased performance occur. In case of severe allergic manifestations, the help of a doctor and specific treatment are necessary.

Source

Where do parasites come from in decorative rats?

Rat breeders often ask this question when they discover parasitic animals in their pet. The unpleasant sight and torment of the rodent force the owner to look for all possible ways to destroy these parasites. Even with careful care, the animal becomes infected, and the sources can be:

• fillers _ Hay and sawdust are habitats for lice eaters and ticks. If a person buys litter in dubious places and at too low a price, then there is a possibility of these parasites appearing in the house;
• contact with infected animals . Other pets that are infested with fleas or lice act as a dangerous source for the rat;
• external environment . The owner brings various infections from the street on his hands and clothes.

The precautions are as follows. Buy fillers only from trusted pet stores and carry out preventive maintenance regularly. Wash your hands and take off dirty clothes immediately after coming home.

Rat fleas in the apartment: routes of entry and hiding places

Externally, to the naked eye, rat fleas are practically indistinguishable from the parasitic fleas of cats and dogs. Only under a microscope can one see the main differences of this species. Below is a photo of a rat flea at high magnification:

Actually, rat fleas are not just one species, but a whole genus of species of parasitic insects, the main hosts of which are rodents. Of these, the southern rat flea, a notorious carrier of the plague pathogen, parasitizes common gray rats and some other species of rodents.

By the way, fleas in rats do not necessarily belong specifically to the genus of rat fleas. They can also be parasitized by human, rabbit, dog, cat fleas and many other species.

Rat fleas look the same as most of their relatives: their small body, about 3 mm long, is flattened laterally and has a dark brown color. Fleas do not have wings, but their hind legs are much longer than the two pairs of front ones. Thanks to them, insects make simply huge jumps for their size: this little one can fly up to 30 cm after one push.

Rat fleas are temporary parasites of all their hosts. They do not live on the body permanently, but only jump on the animal in order to bite it and drink blood.

At the same time, the insects themselves are very attached to the resting places of their owner, so as to always have a source of food nearby. As a rule, insects settle in the nesting litter in the burrows of rats, gophers, gerbils, and marmots, and lay their eggs here.

Parasitic diseases of rats

In decorative rats, parasitic diseases caused by fleas, lice, and lice are most often diagnosed. The reason for this is the lack of regular treatment of cells and household items, and unbalanced nutrition.

Fleas on rats

The causative agent of flea infestation in decorative rats is ectoparasites from the order Siphonaptera. This disease is diagnosed as aphanipterosis. It is accompanied by dermatitis, since flea saliva contains toxic substances that cause allergies in the rodent.

The danger of flea infestation is that one flea can drink up to 11–16 μl of blood per day. And with mass reproduction, this can cause anemia in a decorative rat.

Aphanipterosis is accompanied by itching, which leads to scratching on the skin. When bacteria and infections get into open wounds, they begin to fester. This leads to a chronic relapsing course of the disease.

Lice and lice in rats

Infection of a decorative rat with lice and lice-eaters is diagnosed as pediculosis. The incubation period of the disease can last about a month.

Main symptoms of the disease:

• constant itching;
• red dots, scratches in the muzzle, neck, shoulders;
• anemia, causing weakness, drowsiness;
• refusal to eat;
• sudden weight loss.

The danger of pediculosis is that its pathogens are also carriers of diseases such as typhus and hemobartonellosis.

Weight loss

How to recognize the presence of parasites in a rat?

Ticks

It is impossible to recognize a tick on an animal with the naked eye. A scraping done by a veterinarian does not always show the true result. There are indirect signs: hair falls out, red wounds appear on the body. Ear mites are immediately visible . The owner observes tubercles along the edge of the ear. If you don't treat your pet, the ears will soon become corroded.

Important! You should regularly inspect the body and ears of a decorative rat. Trim the claws in a timely manner, otherwise the animal will cause serious injury to its delicate skin.

Treat the pet yourself or contact a veterinarian. In the first case, the following drugs will help:

• Stronghold drops. The composition is dripped onto the withers. Dosage - 0.01 ml per 100 g of rat weight. After the first application, significant improvements are observed;
• drops Lawyer. The substance is dripped onto the withers, the dosage is identical to the previous drug;
• Dironet Spot-on drops. Used when the animal is heavily infected;
• drops on the withers Parasiticide complex. One drop is enough to rid a rat of subcutaneous mites.

Attention! It is better to contact a veterinarian or ratologist. The specialist will recommend a drug that will help a specific breed of decorative rat.

Shampoos and brushing will not help get rid of ticks. Experts advise regularly changing the filler, cleaning and disinfecting the cage.

lice eaters

These are small red insects, with a body size of 1 mm. It is difficult to recognize lice eaters, but their eggs are noticeable. They resemble dandruff that has stuck to the fur. Symptoms: The rat is anxious, refuses to eat, behaves nervously and quickly loses weight.

Important! The parasitism of lice eaters is dangerous - the rat may die. Treatment should be started as quickly as possible, and at the first symptoms, immediately consult a veterinarian.

Washing or combing out infected fur will not help the animal. Based on reviews from rat breeders, the best drug for lice eaters is Neostomazan . This is an emulsion in glass or plastic ampoules of 2 ml.

The remaining solution is used to treat the cage and other accessories. Gradually, the pet will shed, and non-living lice eaters and larvae will fall off along with the fur.

These are dangerous insects with an elongated flat body. Parasites feed on blood. The decorative rat is constantly bothered by itching. Adults cannot be seen due to their too small size. Only eggs are recognized.

Symptoms: the animal is nervous, actively scratches its body, and does not react to others. Anemia, typhus and hemobartonellosis often develop.

Lice are destroyed by Stronghold, Frontline or Neostomazan. The remains of the drug are treated with the cage and accessories. Shampoos and combing will not help. It is recommended to exclude the use of sawdust as bedding and filler.

Basic medications for ticks, lice and helminths and methods of their use

The first drug is Neostomazan. Here are some tips for use:

• to treat one pet you will need 1/2 of the emulsion diluted in 200 ml of warm water;
• cover the rat with the composition using a cotton pad;
• wrap in a towel for 5 minutes;
• Wipe the animal dry and dry it with a hairdryer.

An effective and inexpensive drug gets rid of any parasites.

Attention! A decorative rat should not lick itself during the procedure. Otherwise, the product will lead to poisoning.

The second drug is Bars. Choose in the form of an aerosol, without containing permethrin. Fiproline should act as an active substance. The bottle is pointed at the rodent and pressed once. Repeat the procedure after 10 days to completely destroy the parasites.

The third drug is Parasiticide-complex. Used on the withers. If the rat is dewormed, the remedy is administered orally. Other substances are used in the absence of basic drugs.

Fleas

The most ancient and unpleasant parasites that suck the blood of the victim. Appear in the house from cats, dogs, wild rodents. After laying eggs, the animal is additionally exposed to larval bites.

Symptoms include anxiety in the pet. He scratches the skin, and the itchy spots turn into scabs. Anemia may develop.

Treatment of a decorative rat for fleas consists of:

• in the wash with a special shampoo for kittens . For example, Bars, Celandine. Apply the product to damp fur and leave for 10 minutes. Then the shampoo is carefully washed off and the pet is dried. Repeat the procedure after 2 weeks;
• in the use of drops on the withers - Frontline, Neostomazan. One drop is enough to kill all fleas. Repeat after 3 weeks;
• combing with a fine comb. It is better to carry out the procedure on wet fur. Collect adult specimens in a container with a tight lid and then dispose of them.

Treat the cage with a disinfectant. Change the bedding. Check other pets for parasites.

Have you found fleas on your pet?

Bedbugs

They live in every corner of the house: under baseboards, on linen, in carpets and so on. Causes severe itching in decorative rats. Bedbugs attack your pet when there is not enough food or there is no person nearby. They are considered the most dangerous insects that can cause blood poisoning.

Important! These parasites are not noticeable. Only a veterinarian can help determine the exact cause of the animal’s anxiety. The owner does not know which parasite attacked the pet.

It is not recommended to delay treatment of a decorative rat. Negligence will lead to a more difficult fight against bedbugs, and in the worst case, the death of the rodent.

Main ectoparasites of rats

Decorative rats are affected by several types of parasites. These include:

• mites;
• lice eaters;
• fleas.

The listed types of ectoparasites do not live on humans, but some can bite humans. Fleas and lice eaters, as well as the rat mite Ornithonyssus benoiti, are carriers of infectious diseases. They often become the cause of worm infection. Therefore, if you suspect the presence of ectoparasites in a domestic rat, treatment should be started as quickly as possible.

Ticks

These parasites belong to the order Arthropods. Several types of mites infest rats:

• cutaneous Radfordia ensifera;
• scabies Notoedres muris;
• sarcoptoid Sarcoptes anacanthos;
• subcutaneous Demodex.

Unlike lice eaters and fleas, such parasites cannot be seen with the naked eye. Firstly, because they are embedded in the skin. Secondly, rat mites are small in size - from 0.3 to 0.6 mm.

The main symptoms of infection are baldness and incessant itching. When a rat mite bites through the skin, the rodent experiences pain. Then the puncture site begins to itch. The rat bites itself and tears its body with its paws. Over time, she becomes nervous and loses her appetite.

Wounds and crusts appear on the skin, which are concentrated in the head, neck, shoulders and ridge. Some people think it's an allergy, but rats are omnivores and rarely suffer from food intolerances. Therefore, if symptoms of scabies appear, you should take your pet to the veterinarian and take a skin scraping.

Attention! Rat ticks Ornithonyssus benoiti are dangerous to humans. They cause severe dermatitis and transmit infectious diseases - tick-borne encephalitis, icteric leptospirosis, tularemia and Lyme disease.

Lice eaters (lice)

Most often, rats suffer from head lice. This disease is caused by lice - blood-sucking lice Polyplax spinulosa. They live in the animal's fur and feed on blood, secretions of the sebaceous glands and skin cells.

Lice eaters in rats can appear after contact with a sick animal. The owner may also be involved in infesting the pet with lice. Parasites can be on shoes or clothing. Also, a domestic cat or dog can bring lice eaters into the apartment on its fur.

Rat lice are small insects with elongated bodies that are yellow or light brown in color. Its dimensions do not exceed 1 mm. The lice eater has 3 pairs of limbs. The head has a piercing-type mouthparts. With its help, the louse pierces the skin to get food. During a bite, she injects a special substance into the dermis that prevents blood clotting.

The female lice eater is slightly larger than the male. She produces up to 60 eggs at a time. Nits attach to the hairs of the fur at their base, right next to the skin, because it is warm there. The eggs of lice eaters hatch into larvae, which then molt three times and turn into sexually mature individuals (imago). The full development cycle of the parasite occurs within 3-4 weeks.

The incubation period after lice infection until the first symptoms appear in a rat can last about 30 days. When a lice beetle lands on a rodent's body, it attaches itself to the hairs using mites that are located on the parasite's legs. The louse burrows into the rat's skin and begins to drink blood. A secretion from the salivary glands of the lice eater gets into the bite site. This liquid irritates the skin and causes itchy spots and nodules to appear.

Parts of the body on which rat lice infest:

• head;
• withers;
• parotid region;
• neck;
• area around the anus.

At an early stage, lice eaters in rats with dark fur are quite difficult to detect, since there are few of them and they blend in against the background of the fur. In rodents with light coats, mature lice are clearly visible. They are located on the skin and resemble moving red dots.

In dark-colored pets, it is easier to detect lice eggs. They are oval in shape and whitish in color. Nits are not found on the skin, but on the hairs of the fur.

Symptoms of lice beetle infestation:

• the rat itches frequently;
• scratches and reddish spots appear on the skin of the muzzle, neck and shoulders;
• the fur begins to fall out;
• the animal becomes irritable and loses appetite;
• The rat is losing weight.

Important! Lice eaters do not attack people, so they do not pose any danger to the owner of the rodent.

Fleas

Fleas are very rare in domestic rats. These parasites can use the rodent as a temporary source of food.

Like lice eaters, rat fleas live on the surface of the skin. They also feed on blood. The parasite's body is flattened on the sides, which allows it to move deftly and quickly in the thick hair.

The flea has a head and a rounded abdomen equipped with a piercing-sucking mouthparts. The entire body is covered with a durable chitinous layer with bristles; it protects the parasite from mechanical damage. The flea has 6 long limbs, thanks to which it can jump up to 1.5 m. Each leg consists of 5 segments.

Parasites do not live on the animal's body, but use it only as a source of food. They lay eggs in hard-to-reach places - behind the baseboard, in cracks on the floor. The flea is larger than the lice eater. The size of its body varies between 0.5-1 mm. The parasite is colored brown.

You can detect fleas in a rat by the following signs:

• the rodent becomes nervous and itches;
• his coat is thinning due to mechanical damage to the skin;
• bite marks appear on the body;
• adult parasites that move quickly can be seen in the fur;
• If you part the fur of a rat, it will contain arthropod excrement - brown lumps that look like poppy seeds.

Important! Fleas can bite people. They carry diseases dangerous to humans - some types of helminthiasis, tularemia, listeriosis, plague, brucellosis, typhus and encephalitis.

What is the danger of these pests to humans?

Rat fleas are extremely harmful to humans, as well as to animals. Their bites are very painful and have unpleasant consequences. Externally, the bite site is clearly visible; a red spot appears there, it is very itchy and slightly swollen. In sensitive people, a rat flea bite can cause an allergic reaction, including swelling of the upper respiratory tract and anaphylactic shock. Often these pests appear in homes where various rodents live as pets - rats, mice, gerbils, hamsters. People usually notice the presence of insects in the house when their pet's behavior changes, it often itches and appears restless, or if they themselves become a victim of these pests.

Just like other types of these parasites, the rat flea can cause pulicosis in humans . This is a common dermatological disease caused exclusively by flea bites.

Symptoms of bites may be as follows:

• Swelling at the site of the bite;
• Itching;
• Increased body temperature up to 40 °C;
• Skin rashes;
• Diarrhea;
• Headaches and nervous system disorders;
• Ulcers in the mouth and throat.

How to prevent parasites from appearing in a rat?

The best treatment for a decorative rat against all kinds of parasites will be timely prevention. Insects cause discomfort, and drugs are toxic and dangerous for the animal, no matter what the advertising says.

Here are some rules:

• keep the cage clean, regularly change the water in the drinking bowl;
• feed your pet correctly;
• ventilate the room;
• buy filler only in a specialized store;
• wash your hands and change clothes before interacting with an animal.

Pay more attention to the behavior of the decorative rat. The first signs of dangerous parasites often turn into serious illnesses for your pet.

Attention! It is strictly prohibited to purchase fillers and food for rodents in online stores. Often the owner of a decorative rat was sold products of the worst quality. You should take care of your pet and trust only trusted stores.

Tips for Preventing External Parasites

• Take your rats for regular checkups at least once every six months.
• If you are using pre-packaged litter, freeze the contents of the bag before using.
• Freeze the food, and only then defrost it and feed it to the rats. This should be done if you think the contents of the package may have been exposed to vermin.
• Keep your rat cage clean and disinfected regularly.
• Quarantine all new rats. Three weeks is a good time to protect existing rats from external parasites.
• After handling any animals outside your home, wash well and change clothes before handling your own rats.
• Keep wild animals, especially wild mice and rats, out of your home.

Methods of controlling parasites

Getting rid of rat fleas indoors is not difficult, but it is troublesome. Adult insects die when surfaces are treated with aerosol insecticides such as Raptor or Combat; in addition to this method, larvae can be destroyed with special means - dusts and microencapsulated preparations such as Get, which are used against cockroaches and ants.

It is also useful to read: How long do fleas live without an animal and can they live on humans?

The most effective method of combating rat fleas is to call special pest control services. Employees of such companies use very powerful professional insecticides in their work, one treatment of an apartment with which is enough to completely destroy all parasites.

It is not difficult to remove fleas from a rat or other domestic rodent: for this you can use flea remedies for kittens or puppies - sprays, drops on the withers, shampoos. It is only important to select the right concentration so as not to exceed the permissible limit for an animal of a certain weight.

Treatment of external parasites in rodents

If you suspect a rodent has been infected with any type of ectoparasite, consult a veterinarian. The doctor must examine the animal and advise how to treat it. The fact is that some medications are suitable for killing subcutaneous mites in rats, while others are used for fleas and lice eaters. Acaricidal preparations act on arthropods, and insecticides act on insects. However, there are complex medications that simultaneously act on fleas, lice, ticks and even helminths.

Parasites in rats are easily treatable. The main thing is to choose the right drug and calculate the dosage correctly.

List of medications for ectoparasites for rats based on selamectin or fipronil in the form of drops on the withers:

• Stronghold;
• Advocate;
• Frontline;
• Leopard;
• Fiprist;
• Delix-F;
• Dana.

When purchasing a drug for lice eaters and other parasites, you should give preference to medications that are intended for puppies and kittens. The fact is that veterinary pharmacies do not sell insecto-acaricides specifically for rats.

The dosage and treatment regimen should be announced by the doctor. If your pet is concerned about rat mites, your veterinarian may recommend an injection of Ivermectin. It is administered subcutaneously 3 times with an interval of 10-14 days.

In case of complications in the form of suppuration on the skin, the treatment regimen includes antiseptics, antibiotics and healing ointments. The rat should receive a diet rich in vitamins to strengthen its immunity. The sick rodent is isolated from other rats. The old bedding is thrown away, the cage and all equipment are disinfected.

Attention! If fleas or lice eaters are found on a rat, you will have to treat other pets as well, since there is a high probability that they brought the parasites into the house.

Prevention of infection of decorative rats with parasites

In addition to the basic rules, owners of decorative rats should closely monitor other pets. If a cat or dog prefers to spend a lot of time outside, then they are thoroughly washed after a walk.

Attention! For better prevention, rat breeders observe a two-week quarantine for newly acquired rats. The animals are kept in another cage, shown to a doctor, and treated with drugs.

Keep the house clean. The main cause of the appearance of bedbugs, ticks, and lice is the person himself. Some owners call specialists every month to sanitize their premises.

If a rat breeder keeps several individuals, then each rat is processed. Otherwise, pests will be able to attack your pet’s clean coat again. The bedding is changed once a week. Wooden utensils are thrown away: they can become a breeding ground for parasites.

Medicines to get rid of parasites

All medications used must be prescribed by your veterinarian. If your veterinarian has not examined your rats in the last month or so, an examination is an important first step to making a diagnosis and prescribing the proper medications. Finally, it is safer to purchase all medications from your veterinarian rather than online or at a human pharmacy.

Your veterinarian will likely prescribe Ivermectin to help get rid of parasites. This medication should be administered topically or orally. Injectable Ivermectin can also be used topically by placing the appropriate dose on the rat's neck and allowing the rat to lick itself. Then the animal will be able to swallow the product.

Do not use the medicine on infants or pregnant or lactating females without the prior approval of a veterinarian.

The product can be used once every 10–14 days, for a total of three procedures. During storage, Ivermectin for injection should be kept away from direct light.

All pets should be treated, even if some are asymptomatic. Some rats itch and others don't, but that doesn't mean they don't need to be treated. In addition to treating your rats, you will need to thoroughly clean the cage (1 part bleach to 10 parts water is recommended), throw away all trash, wash all fabric materials in the cage, and get rid of any wooden toys that are not sealed. If you have unused bedding or litter, you should freeze the bag for up to 24 hours before using it to kill any lice or mites that may be living in it.

You should notice fewer scratches and scabs on your pet's body within 2-3 days of the first treatment. Water often helps soothe a rat's skin. Trimming your rat's nails can also help the scabs heal faster.

Appearance

These insects are divided into varieties; the most common type of flea is the southern rat flea.

With the naked eye it is impossible to distinguish them from other relatives - dogs, cats and domestic ones. Only a specialist can determine the species under a microscope.

The rat flea looks similar to other representatives of the genus: the body has an elongated shape, flattened on the sides, the back part is raised due to long jumping limbs.

It is covered with chitinous cover and has a dark brown color. Length – from 3 to 5 mm.

Features of life

Adult rat fleas recognize their only food as blood. Their victims can be not only mice, rats and other rodents, but also cats, dogs, and even humans. Unlike many blood-sucking parasites, an anesthetic substance is not injected during the bite, since in case of danger they are able to leave the food object in a split second. The duration of a rat flea meal varies from 2 to 20 minutes.

Contrary to popular belief, this type of parasitic fauna does not spend its entire life on the body of the “host”, but also does not settle too far from it. Rat fleas in an apartment or house hide in secluded places and animal bedding.

Reproduction can occur both on the food source and outside it. Every day the female lays from 5 to 12 eggs. The qualities of a hen are not inherent to her and she can squeeze embryos out of herself while moving.

Basic drugs for ectoparasites and methods of their use

If it is possible to determine which parasites cause discomfort to the decorative rat, it is necessary to carry out treatment. It is based on the use of special drugs.

Of the things that can be used to treat a rat against parasites such as lice, lice, fleas, bedbugs, the most popular are:

1. Unoiled. To treat a rodent, you need to dilute 2 ml of the product in 400 liters of warm water and mix thoroughly. Soak a cotton pad in the resulting solution and gently apply it to the entire body of the rodent, paying special attention to inflamed areas.
2. Spray Frontline. To treat a decorative rat from external parasites, you can only use an aerosol from this series of drugs, as it has a gentle effect. During the treatment process, you need to spray the product twice on the withers of the rodent, holding it in your hands.
3. Spray Bars. This drug should be used in the same way as the previous one. In addition, you additionally need to moisten a cotton pad in the product and wipe the inflamed areas on the body with it.

After treatment with any of the listed drugs, you should wrap your pet in a towel and hold it in your hands until it is completely dry, without allowing it to lick itself. After this, rinse the wool with warm water and then dry it with a hairdryer. If necessary, repeat the treatment after 7-10 days.

To rid an animal of ticks, you need to apply the following drops to the withers:

Before treating your pet, you must first trim its claws to prevent severe scratching of the skin. For treatment, just apply 1 drop of the product and lightly rub into the skin.

On the same day, you need to treat not only the pet, but also its cage. You should also replace the bedding and disinfect his household items.

Features of the species and habitat

The highest concentrations of rat fleas are observed in tropical and subtropical regions, but some individuals successfully migrate throughout the world. The insect easily adapts to difficult conditions and can do without food for a long time.

The appearance of the parasite is not much different from other representatives of the order - dog or cat fleas. The body of an adult does not exceed 4 mm in length. The insect moves using 6 legs, two of which are jumping. The oval-shaped body is flattened, which, together with a durable chitinous shell, protects the flea from physical damage.

For reference! The optimal microclimate for the successful development of the parasite is a temperature of about +25⁰C with a humidity level of 60 to 75%. In one clutch, a female can have up to 400 eggs, which contributes to the rapid reproduction of the pest.

Source

Lifestyle of rat fleas

Bloodsuckers cannot remain on the host’s body all the time. The rat plays the role of a dining room , where the parasites come to eat. Having had enough, the flea jumps off the rodent and returns to its permanent habitat. Most often, bloodsuckers settle in rat nests in order to have constant access to the victim’s body.

This is where the females lay their eggs. Fertile individuals can produce more than 350–370 of their own kind . They lay eggs gradually, 6–7 eggs per day . It takes 4 to 9 days for the egg to develop, then the larva emerges from it. She begins to actively feed, using plant debris, excrement of adult fleas and dried blood debris.

The larva goes through 3 molts. Its development takes from 9 to 16 days under favorable conditions and over 150 if living conditions are unsuitable. It is optimal to live at a temperature of 21–23° and a humidity of no more than 75% .

After this, the pupal stage begins. The larva, which already looks like an adult insect, is wrapped in a cocoon and “sleeps.” This stage ends under normal conditions in 2-4 days , but can last for several months.

An adult emerges from the pupa and begins to search for prey. A flea can go without food for a long time . But, having found a suitable owner, it clings to him for a long time in order to get enough.

REFERENCE ! The female flea begins to reproduce only when she has enough food.