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.
The harmfulness of rat fleas
These parasites can feed on more than just the blood of rats . People and pets also become victims of rat fleas. Moreover, their bites are very painful (what do flea bites look like?). Unlike their relatives, rat parasites do not release an anesthetic enzyme.
In addition, the bite site often becomes inflamed, severe itching , swelling , redness , and suppuration . Allergic reactions often occur, the bite becomes dense and does not go away for a long time. Multiple bites can cause general body reactions such as inflammation of the lymph nodes , headaches , mouth ulcers and nervous breakdown.
And this is not the worst harm from a bite! Rat fleas actively spread such dangerous diseases as salmonellosis , rat typhus , brucellosis , tularemia , encephalitis , anthrax and plague . It was rat fleas that became the main culprits of the plague epidemic, which reduced the population of Europe by a full third in the Middle Ages. A rat flea bite is reminiscent of a game like Russian roulette. The main question here is the same: will it carry through or not?
And that’s not all the dangers again! Any rat flea necessarily carries a whole bunch of helminth eggs . When she bites, she is guaranteed to pass them on to her victim.
IMPORTANT ! After being bitten by a rat flea, it is imperative to undergo examination at a clinic and anthelmintic therapy.
We wrote about what diseases rat and other fleas can carry here, and here you can learn about the harm fleas from various animals can cause to humans.
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.
Lice
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.
The drug Neostomazan will help destroy bedbugs. Treat rooms in the house with powders, insecticides or professional products. This will rid the room of small domestic parasites. Disinfect the cage, but it is better to buy new accessories.
Description, development and appearance
There are two types of rat fleas: European and southern. The victims of the latter are ordinary gray rats, whose habitats are sewers and cellars. The most common and dangerous variety, since it is a carrier of terrible infections. In the beginning, the habitat of these parasites was tropical and subtropical regions, then they spread throughout the world. They have almost no differences from other blood-sucking relatives. Appearance:
- The body is no more than 3.5-4 mm, flattened on the sides;
- It has a chitinous shiny cover of dark chestnut color;
- Three pairs of legs that are located on the thoracic segments. With the help of short front and middle legs, it moves along the body of the prey. The hind legs are much longer;
- Simple round eyes and small antennae;
- The upper and lower jaws, lips with small palps form a piercing-sucking apparatus;
- Egg no more than 0.6 mm long. Oval in shape, white or yellowish in color;
- The larva is a small worm with transparent whitish covers. No legs, antennae or eyes.
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.
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.
Ways of rat fleas entering homes.
The main carriers of fleas are their direct hosts - rats . Having made its way into a residential building, the rodent will leave behind a “gift”.
Fleas can also arrive on residents' clothes or in a bag . Cats or dogs can bring them from a walk. From basements, parasites can enter apartments through cracks in the floors or ventilation holes .
We wrote about how fleas can get into homes here.
