Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / July 2005

Don't use permethrin! It's sold as "spot-on" and our rats wsere prescribed
it for an infestation. They very soon started to develop terrifying
neurological symptoms. Luckily they weren't permanent, but that's probably
because we washed it all off as soon as we realised what was happening. I
thought they would die.

The vet hadn't heard of it before and was as shocked and upset as we were. I
know it's dangerous to cats, but nowhere on the packaging did it suggest it
might damage rats. Moreover, I think the packet actually specifically said
"small animals", including, I think, rats.

We followed all the instructions to the letter. Our rats are all from
different family lines, and yet they all suffered the same bizarre movements
and behaviour soon after application.

HTH.

Rosemary

Ivermectin will take care of the problem. Fleas prefer dogs but will hop
along on cats. They won't live on rats but will bite them if dog and cat
are not readily available. Ivermectin will help for the time being, but
you need to have the bigger pets taken care of too and don t forget to
treat your hole house.
I hope that helps!!

Joanne
Mom to 19 rats.

i've used advantage on my rats without any bad side effects. one drop
per rat between the shoulder blades and make sure they don't groom it
off before it dries.

--
"know she breaks, my siren" (tori)
http://shattering.org
x-no-archive: yes in headers

My sympathies, Julia.  While I've never had fleas on my rats, I have had
them in the past on my cats, and those things have a way of multiplying and
driving me over the edge.  One time it was so bad we literally had to "flea
bomb" the whole house (after it was evacuated of course).  And I only have
INDOOR cats.  I can't imagine how bad it can get for pets who go out.  Good
luck!!!  I have used Ivermetin (orally) with my ratties a couple of times
treating for mites/lice and it works well.  The key for me was once a week
for 3 weeks.

Meghan

Thanks for the suggestions and advice.  I'll let you know what I use and the
outcome.

Julia
and the Mischief Makers

Hello Msj
Fleas are really tough to get under control.
I used to exterminate part time but not since I met Baybay and Mr.Sniffles
"could never ever hurt a mouse,rat, any animal "except insect" again.
Anyway my brother had a hell of a flea problem last summer and he has one
cat that NEVER is allowed out.
They either came in on him or from next door yard "dog".
First of all, im sure your problem is not just in the room(s) with your rats
and ferrets, unless they go outside.
As for what to use on your PET "Ferret,Mouse,Rat,Dog,Cat,Bird,Misc" or his
or her bedding and cage ask your VET !!
You should call a exterminator if you know one real well and is trustworthy.
If you choose not to call one heres what to do.
1 treat your pets with vets help.
2 get rid of rug in pet room "we just want to clean and vacume this room and
floor everyday".
3 VACUME,VACUME,VACUME  the whole house and all areas where pets lay or
sleep.
4 Treating fleas is a two front battle. First you want to kill the live
jumpers right away, then you need to treat the larvea and eggs.
5 I used Archer and Dragnet as a good combination in a 2 gallon garden
sprayer.

Here is a link to Archer, this is a Insect growth regulator. This is the KEY
to flea control !!!

http://www.pestproducts.com/archer.htm

Here is a link to the knockdown of the biting adults. This is the stuff "
Permethrin" that might not be good for rats.

http://www.pestproducts.com/permethrin.htm

I have used both compounds in combination in homes with cats and dogs.
I made sure to tell my customers to let it dry and never had a problem.

If you want to be safe, treat pets with vet stuff, rip out petroom rug(s)
and vacume and mop and mop and vacume pet room floor everyday.

What ever you choose the key is a good vacume and use it every day and get
rid of vacume bag often.