How to Treat Feeder Rats for Mites
Mites are a common parasite found in your rodent's fur. Feeder rats can carry three types of the mite parasite: burrowing mites, bloodsucking mites and fur mites. Any of these types of parasites can be dangerous to your feeder rats, and may even transfer to the pets you are feeding. Bloodsucking mites are especially dangerous as humans can contract them as well. It is important that you eradicate the parasites right away to avoid a massive infestation or transferring them to your other pets.
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Instructions
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Eradication
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Remove all the feeder rats from the infected cage and place them in a separate cage.
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Disinfect the infected cage with bleach. This is the fastest and easiest way to kill any parasites. You will also destroy any bacteria, virus or fungus in the cage and ensure they are eliminated. Throw away anything made of wood as parasites may hide in it.
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Take your feeder rats to the vet. This may seem expensive, but the medication used to treat mites is a prescription. Ivermectin is prescribed for the treatment of mites and is usually given as an injection. There is an oral form of the medication as well, but dosing is difficult in the oral form. Dosage for your rats depends on their size, but generally they are given one injection every 10 to 14 days for a total of three injections.
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Check you local pet store for Pyrethrin dips, foams, sprays and shampoos. These treatments can be an alternative to a trip to the vet, however they are not guaranteed to be 100-percent effective. Pyrethrin is a natural oil found in chrysanthemums, but just because it is a natural oil does not mean it's safe; it, too, can be dangerous to your feeder rats if not handled with care. Be certain that the Pyerthrin content is no higher than 0.15 percent when using it on rodents.
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Freeze any new bedding you purchase prior to adding it to the cage. This will ensure that you have killed any hitchhiking parasites that may have been hiding in the bedding.
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Tips & Warnings
Disinfect your cage and anything in it with bleach at least once a week. If you feed your pets frozen pinky rats or mice, you needn't worry about mites. Mites will die if frozen.
Talk to your vet and let them know you have pets that eat feeder rats. Usually your vet will allow you to purchase Ivermectin in the future after you have had at least one appointment.
Ivermectin and Pyrethrin need to be handled with care. Overdosing your feeders is easily done if the directions are not followed as given to you by your vet.
References
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