Parasites in rats

01juni2011
EZNC
Rat feeds (green forage), nesting material, hay and straw can harbour scabies mites and lice, which can be a cause of problems for the animals. The lice are visible to the naked eye as reddish-brown, thin, elongated, moving insects.
They are generally found at the base of the tail and on the neck and shoulders. The nits (louse eggs) look like tiny pearls on the hairs.
Scabies mites are not themselves visible: they lie under the rat’s skin. The veterinarian can find them in samples from deep skin scrapings. Scabies wounds are visible, especially on the ears and tail. In a serious infection there are bumps on and deterioration of the tail and ears, producing so-called cauliflower ears.

Scabies and lice can be treated in rats with ivermectine, an anti-parasitic. This medication is given in the form of drops administered to the neck. Lice and scabies mites are difficult to eradicate, so the ivermectine treatment must be repeated at least twice, even if there is no more sign of infestation: nits can be easily missed. It is also important to treat all animals present, even though not all of them seem to be infected. The material at the bottom of the cage should be replaced as well.

It is difficult to prevent these infestations completely. There are lice and scabies mites everywhere, and humans can also spread the parasites from one animal to another. The best prevention is to avoid the use of hay and straw – unless these are first stored in the freezer for a time.