What Fleas Are on Rats?
WouterIf you find fleas on your rat, you may have several options. One of the most common methods is using a rat shampoo. This shampoo is applied to a spot on the rat’s body and seeps into the rat’s bloodstream. While this is a good preventative measure, it is not a complete cure for fleas. Always consult your veterinarian before using any type of flea treatment. You should also never allow your rat to ingest flea treatments.
Fleas are parasitic insects that live in rat hair. The female flea can lay anywhere from 20 to 600 eggs in one lifetime. The eggs are often indistinguishable from dirt, but wetting the specks with water can reveal flea feces. The red colour of the feces indicates that it was once an adult flea. Fortunately, only about 5% of flea infestations are caused by adult fleas. The rest are larvae and egg-stages.
Fleas can be difficult to remove from rats. If you suspect your rat is infected, take your pet to a veterinarian. The vet can help you identify the fleas and the source of the infestation. After determining the source, the veterinarian can prescribe a flea treatment. In the meantime, you can clean the rat’s fur with a flea comb.
The bite of a flea can transmit R. typhi, a type of disease that can cause death or severe disability. The disease can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals, including cats and dogs. It can also be transmitted through contact with fomites that are contaminated with the Y. pestis bacteria. During this time, the patient develops a high fever and a bumpy skin rash known as bubo. If left untreated, the plague infection may lead to pneumonia, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and even shock.
