What can I use to get rid of mites on baby rats?

They're about 3 weeks old (they were orphaned.) They have fur, and are about two inches long (not including the tail). They are currently sitting in their tank eating some soaked cheerios. I have some tick and flea spray (Ultra care 8 in 1 I don't think its working, but I didn't use much since they're babies), but I want those nasty little bastards off these babies now!





I also have some formula for them, but since they're eating soaked food, I was wondering how much is necessary to give since they're eating something else. I don't have a gram scale so I don't know how much they weigh.


Any advice?What can I use to get rid of mites on baby rats?
Ivermectin or selamectin (stronghold) available from your vets will clear these up.





Please dont use tape, or soil, or rat poison (!) - not that I think you would follow that advice *lol*





One other word of warning though - Cheerios aren't suitable for rats, they're full of sugar. While they're weaning onto solids, try scrambled eggs made with formula puppy milk (or goat's milk, or soya milk), EMP (egg based bird food - again mix with puppy formula or the other alternatives mentionned before), brown bread (again with puppy formula), mashed tinned sardines, natural dog food (such as naturediet), cat food and then a good quality rat mix should be available at all times (see links below for more nutritional advice). Also a daily supply of curly kale will help once they start nibbling on the dry food.





Well done for adopting these, and best of luck!





Nutriotional info for nursing mums and babies:


http://www.shunamiterats.co.uk/nutribree鈥?/a>





Info on regular rat diet:


http://www.shunamiterats.co.uk/diet.html


http://www.ratfanclub.org/diet.html


http://www.spoiledratten.com/feeding.htm鈥?/a>What can I use to get rid of mites on baby rats?
Giving Ivermectin to baby rats can seriously harm them.

Report Abuse

You should take your rats to the vet if you think they have mites. You could see patches of hair loss. Sores caused by mites look crusty, reddened and are itchy. They are spread by direct contact, so keep other pet's away. Disinfect the cage with a water bleach solution. This will kill the mites. Throw away anything made of wood because eggs or adults could be hiding in there! You can buy mite treatments from the petstore but there are different types of treatments, so you should definetly take them to the vet. I hope that helps.
this might work some till you see a vet, the masking or clear tape nothing super strong put tape on the mite areas let them tick on and pull the tape off should never be left on and do not let them bite the taps, do not use chemicals around small pets, milk fix as directed but not much because of diarrhea.
You really need a vet to help out. Shampoos and cleaning wont get rid of the real problem. The vet can give them Ivermectin internally (don't use the equine kind you find in the pet store, the dosage is not the same obviously), which will kill off any of the mites living on their skin.





Don't wait too long, my husband and I have mice and our last one came down with mites from her shavings and nearly tore one of her ears off over night with all of the scratching. Just be sure to scrub the cage with boiled water and a non toxic detergent before placing them back in.





Good Luck!
I think it's wonderful that you have adopted baby rats. They are so much fun and have so much love and affection for their owners!





First of all, the spray may not be a good idea. Young rodents have different immune systems than dogs or cats and they may not be able to handle it. You may do more harm than good by using it.





Please call a vet first thing tomorrow. I had a mite problem with my rat, and it was only $35 to correct. I went to the appt., (which you should do immediately, as mites can drive the babies crazy), and his skin was ';scraped'; by the doctor. The vet examined what was scraped from his skin, and verified that it was mites. He gave him a shot and he was better later that day. We had to return 3 weeks later to receive a second shot. If this is the same treatment plan your doctor provides, please make sure you return for the second visit as the second shot is absolutely necessary.





For tonight, give them a little bit of formula, and ask the doctor how much, and exactly what, the babies should be eating.





Good luck, and remember that the primary responsibilty of adopting any pet is providing proper medical care for them. Those babies are counting on you for your help.
I recomend taking them to a local small animal practice vet. They will be able to tell exaclty what kind of parasite it is and how to get ride of it. It kinda sounds like fleas but hard to tell without being able to look at them. Make sure to keep other pets away from the rats and wash your hands before touching anything after handling them. You don't want your home to become infested with these parasites. Call a vet first thing tomorrow and see what they can do. Good luck
The vets will provide you with treatment, either xenex or beapher spot on.
use food grade potting soil they crawl around in it and it kills the mites if its not mites ??