The appearance is that of typical self-inflicted scratching trauma. I'd say, without examining them, that your rats are most probably infested by lice.



Lice are species specific (human lice are Pediculus humanus, rat lice are Polyplax spinulosa, and mouse lice are Polyplax serrata). That means that they won't cross over from rats to mice or to humans. This makes them very easy to eliminate. The best and simplest method, is by administering Ivermectin injections (0.1 cc per 100 grams), two doses at a ten-day interval. There's also an Ivermectin-containing feed that you may be able to obtain. If feed is used, it should be fed for at least two weeks.



Clean the cages, and then just let the drug do its job. Because it is ingested by the lice when they feed on the animal's blood, and it takes about ten to 14 days to completely be eliminated from the bloodstream, you're guaranteed to get ALL of them. Once you've completed this treatment, be very sure not to re-introduce the problem, by thoroughly quarantining for four weeks - and treating - any rat that you subsequently purchase.


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tricia

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