can rats get fleas? or another kind of bug?

Question

ok so yesterday i got a rat from the pet store and today i realized it has some kind of bug on it a their is lost but their so small that at first i thought they where eggs of some sort can these be fleas or another kid of bug they kind of look like head lice only their smaller can rats even get lice please help also how can i get ride of them !! with out costing allot of money

Answer 1

Before you try any kind of treatment, you will need to know what exactly you are dealing with. Rats can get both lice and mites. The different types of mites are: (1) fur; (2) burrowing; and (3) bloodsucking. The burrowing mites cannot be seen with the naked eye. If you suspect these, you will have to get a skin scraping. Since you "saw" the bugs, it is doubtful they are the burrowing mites. The life cycle of the bugs is what will help you decide how to get rid of them. There are different stages in the bug's life, and you must strike at specific times. I have found a link that provides information on determining the type of bug, and how to best treat it. The link is as follows:



http://www.rmca.org/Articles/bugs.htm



You will need to disinfect the cage weekly. Bleach works well, but rinse, rinse and rinse again. Make sure you remove all traces of the bleach from the rat home. Throw out all wooden products, as the bugs can lay their eggs in them.



I am sorry you have encountered problems already. You should be spending your time getting acquainted with your rat; not treating him for bugs.



I agree with those that said the store is to blame. The rat came home with the bugs, and they should be held accountable. Call the store to see if they have a vet on duty. They need to treat any remaining rats in their possession for the bugs, too. If they do not have a vet who can immediately see your little one, tell them you are taking your rat in to your own vet, and you will send them a copy of the bill for reimbursement. The type of vet you need is an exotic vet. (That just means a vet who treats rats, mice, hamsters and other small animals.)



Good luck with your rat. I know this is not what you had in mind when you brought him home yesterday, but once the bugs are gone, you wil have plenty of time to enjoy him. Rats are clever animals, and bring a lot of joy to their rat parents.

Answer 2

Rats can get fleas, but usually don't if they are well taken care of at their petstore. I doubt they are fleas, but there is another type of bug she most likely has. These bugs are mites. They are red and infest their host. They suck blood. Is your rat itching? If so, then most likely fleas. If not, mites. Lice are white. Fleas are brownish. At the petstore there are treatments for each of these bugs. Treat her and then clean her bedding. If you have other pets, keep them away from the rat. They will get the bugs too. In fact, they may have already spread. Check your other animals for these bugs. If they have them, get treatment for all of them. These evil little bugs ruin households by infesting all over. They might even... spread to YOU!!! I am sorry you got stuck with evil little evil bugs. I have been there once before. Good luck! I hope I helped! Or you can take her to the vet. He will have treatment too.

Answer 3

Yes... that's where the plague came from! Rat fleas. Don't worry though, your rat won't have fleas. =)



You can buy flea powder for small rodents as well as insecticide spray to use on their fur.

Answer 4

Yes.



Check with the pet store. Take the rat back to them and get them to sort it out. The rat got them there, so they should sort it out for you.