List of articles № 71
Lice in rats: how to detect and treat parasites
Rats commonly harbor three ectoparasitic lice species that are of veterinary and laboratory significance. Each species exhibits distinct morphology, host preference, and geographic prevalence, influencing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.. Date latest changes:
Prednisolone for Rats: Instructions
Prednisolone is a synthetic glucocorticoid that mimics the biological activity of endogenous cortisol. It binds to intracellular glucocorticoid receptors, forming a complex that translocates to the nucleus and alters transcription of target genes.. Date latest changes:
Brown Dumbo Rat: Breed Description
The brown Dumbo rat originated in the early 1990s when a small group of fanciers in the United Kingdom began selecting for the distinctive large, low‑set ears first observed in a handful of albino specimens. By cross‑breeding these individuals with standard brown hamsters, breeders amplified both the ear size and the rich, chocolate‑brown coat, creating a stable line that retained the hallmark ear morphology while introducing a uniform coat coloration.. Date latest changes:
Sounds to Repel Rats: Effective Frequencies
Rats possess a highly developed auditory system that detects frequencies far beyond the upper limit of human hearing. The cochlea of the common brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) responds to sounds ranging from approximately 200 Hz up to 80–90 kHz, with peak sensitivity between 8 kHz and 30 kHz.. Date latest changes:
Liquid rodenticide formulations rely on specific chemical agents that disrupt physiological processes in rodents. The most common classes include anticoagulants, metal phosphides, neurotoxins, and vitamin D analogs. First‑generation anticoagulants – warfarin, chlorophacinone, diphacinone.. Date latest changes:
Why Rats Should Not Be Bathed Too Frequently
Rats maintain coat condition through innate grooming behaviors. Their incisors and forepaws enable precise removal of debris, while saliva provides a natural antimicrobial layer. The fur’s microscopic structure traps dust, allowing it to be shed during routine grooming cycles.. Date latest changes:
Maintaining Rat Health: Preventing Itching Issues
Parasites such as mites, lice, and fleas are primary contributors to pruritus in laboratory and pet rats. Each species infests the host differently, requiring specific diagnostic and control strategies. Mites (e.g., Myobia musculi) reside on the skin surface, feeding on epidermal tissue.. Date latest changes:
Rats infested with fleas often display distinct physical and behavioral signs. Early identification enables prompt treatment and reduces the risk of secondary infections. Excessive scratching or grooming: Persistent biting at the fur, especially around the neck, hind limbs, and tail base, indicates irritation from flea bites.. Date latest changes:
Leaf Lettuce for Rats: Is It Safe?
Leaf lettuce is a common garden crop that some rat owners consider as a supplemental food. Its macronutrient profile is limited, which influences both nutritional value and safety for laboratory or pet rats. The edible portion of leaf lettuce contains approximately:. Date latest changes:
Pros and Cons of Keeping a Sphynx Rat
The Sphynx rat is distinguished by a smooth, hair‑free coat that reveals the underlying skin. Body proportions match those of standard laboratory rats: a streamlined head, elongated torso, and a long, hairless tail. Skin coloration follows the animal’s pigment genes, producing shades ranging from pink to black, with occasional mottling where residual hair follicles remain.. Date latest changes:
Lab blocks provide a balanced source of nutrients specifically formulated for the dietary needs of domesticated rats. Each block contains protein, fat, fiber, vitamins, and minerals in proportions that support growth, reproductive health, and immune function.. Date latest changes:
How Rats Live in Family Groups
Rats that form family groups gain measurable protection against predation. Individuals positioned at the periphery monitor the environment, allowing inner members to feed with reduced exposure. When a threat is detected, a rapid series of vocalizations alerts the entire cluster, prompting coordinated retreat or defensive aggression.. Date latest changes:
How to Find an Escaped Rat From Its Cage
Inspecting the cage is the initial action when a pet rodent disappears. The animal often remains within the enclosure, concealed by bedding, equipment, or a faulty latch. A systematic examination eliminates false assumptions and narrows the search area.. Date latest changes:
Optimal Temperature for Keeping Domestic Rats
Rats maintain a constant internal body temperature through metabolic heat production, classifying them as endothermic mammals. This physiological trait requires an external environment that supports efficient thermoregulation without imposing excessive energetic costs.. Date latest changes:
How to Inject a Rat in the Scruff
Injecting a rat by grasping the skin at the neck, known as the scruff, requires careful handling to limit stress and pain. The animal should be restrained gently but firmly, allowing the handler to maintain control without excessive force. A calm environment, minimal noise, and dim lighting reduce anxiety and prevent rapid movements that could increase discomfort.. Date latest changes:
How to Choose the Best Ultrasonic Rat and Mouse Repeller
Ultrasound operates at frequencies above 20 kHz, beyond the range of human hearing but within the auditory spectrum of rodents and many insects. The sound waves are generated by piezoelectric transducers that convert electrical energy into rapid mechanical vibrations.. Date latest changes:
If Bitten by a Mouse: First‑Aid and Complication Prevention
Washing the bite area is the first critical action after a mouse bite because it removes saliva, debris, and potential pathogens that could initiate infection. Prompt cleansing reduces bacterial load and prepares the wound for further treatment.. Date latest changes:
Beautiful photographs of decorative mice
Photographing miniature decorative rodents demands precise control of illumination. Small subjects react strongly to the direction, intensity, and quality of light, making careful lighting essential for clear, detailed images. Key considerations include:. Date latest changes:
How to Repel Mice at Night Without Chemicals
Mice exhibit peak activity after dark because their physiology and survival strategies are tuned to nocturnal conditions. Their sensory systems, particularly vision and hearing, are optimized for low‑light environments, allowing efficient navigation and foraging when daylight predators are less active.. Date latest changes:
Number of Litters in Domestic Mice: Reproduction Facts
The estrous cycle of laboratory mice lasts approximately four to five days, permitting rapid succession of pregnancies. The cycle comprises four distinct phases: Proestrus – 10–14 hours; follicular development and rising estrogen. Estrus – 12–14 hours;. Date latest changes:
Where Mice Appear in an Apartment and How to Prevent Them
Mice locate apartments by detecting accessible nourishment; unsecured edibles create a reliable foraging trail. Uncovered pantry items, especially grains, cereal, and pet food. Crumbs and spills on countertops, floors, and behind appliances.. Date latest changes:
Electronic Repellents for Mice and Rats: Effectiveness and Selection
Electronic repellents designed to deter rodents fall into several distinct categories, each employing a specific mechanism to interfere with the animals’ sensory systems. Ultrasonic emitters generate high‑frequency sound waves beyond human hearing.. Date latest changes:
Can Mice Chew Through Drywall? Scientific Review
Mice possess a single pair of continuously elongating incisors in each jaw. The enamel covers only the anterior surface, while dentin forms the posterior side; differential wear maintains a sharp, self-sharpening edge. Growth rate averages 0.. Date latest changes:
Best Mouse Control Product for the Home: Product Review
Droppings and urine stains serve as the most visible evidence of a mouse problem, directly influencing the evaluation of any home mouse‑control solution. Their presence confirms active foraging, indicates population size, and signals potential health hazards such as bacterial contamination and allergen exposure.. Date latest changes:
Mint and Peppermint: Effective Mouse Repellents
Mint-derived compounds, particularly menthol and related terpenes, act on rodent sensory systems through olfactory and trigeminal pathways. When inhaled or contacted, these chemicals stimulate cold‑sensing receptors (TRPM8) and irritant receptors (TRPA1), producing a sensation of cooling and mild discomfort.. Date latest changes:
Mint as a natural mouse repellent in the house
Mice invade residential spaces primarily to satisfy basic survival needs. Access to food, protection from predators, stable temperatures, and water drives their movement from outdoors to interior environments. Structural vulnerabilities—gaps around doors, utility penetrations, foundation cracks, and unsealed vents—provide entry points that rodents exploit with minimal effort.. Date latest changes:
Dreamed a Mouse: What the Dream Means for a Woman
Dream interpretation offers women a direct avenue to explore subconscious concerns that often remain hidden during waking hours. The symbolic presence of a mouse in a nocturnal vision can reveal anxieties about vulnerability, domestic responsibilities, or unnoticed opportunities.. Date latest changes:
Where Do Rats Appear in the Home
Rats frequently exploit imperfections in a building’s foundation to gain access to interior spaces. Small fissures, missing mortar, and gaps around utility penetrations create direct pathways from soil to walls, crawl spaces, and basements. Typical foundation vulnerabilities include:. Date latest changes:
Are rats euthanized? Ethical aspects of rodent euthanasia
Euthanasia in animal practice refers to the intentional termination of an animal’s life to relieve unavoidable suffering, using methods that produce rapid loss of consciousness followed by irreversible death. The definition emphasizes three criteria:. Date latest changes:
Rats establish social order through dominance hierarchies, a structured ranking that determines access to resources, mating opportunities, and safe resting sites. When two individuals encounter each other, each assesses the opponent’s rank based on visual cues, scent markings, and prior interactions.. Date latest changes:
Beautiful Pet Rats: How to Choose a Companion
Pet rats possess a high degree of cognitive capacity, making them suitable choices for owners who value mental engagement. Their ability to navigate mazes, solve simple puzzles, and remember pathways demonstrates a level of intelligence comparable to that of small mammals such as hamsters or guinea pigs.. Date latest changes:
How to Bathe a Rat at Home: Step-by-Step Guide
Select a shampoo formulated specifically for small rodents or other pets with sensitive skin. Human products often contain harsh detergents and fragrances that can irritate a rat’s delicate coat and mucous membranes. A suitable rat shampoo should be mild, pH‑balanced, and free of dyes, parabens, and essential oils that may cause respiratory distress.. Date latest changes:
Rats detect canine presence primarily through volatile compounds emitted by dogs. Their olfactory epithelium contains receptors tuned to sulfur‑rich and musky molecules typical of canine skin, saliva, and urine. These chemicals trigger neural pathways that signal potential danger, prompting avoidance behavior.. Date latest changes:
Rats engage in a series of self‑grooming actions that maintain coat condition, remove parasites, and regulate body temperature. Each session begins with facial cleaning using the forepaws, followed by head and ear brushing. The animal then progresses to the dorsal surface, using hind limbs to reach the back and tail, and concludes with abdominal and genital cleaning.. Date latest changes:
Ensuring Comfortable Living for Rats in an Apartment
Rats are highly social mammals; isolation can lead to stress, aggression, and health problems. Keeping at least two individuals of the same sex together satisfies their innate need for interaction, reduces stereotypic behaviors, and promotes natural grooming routines.. Date latest changes:
Proteins provide the essential amino acids required for tissue growth, repair, and enzymatic functions in domesticated rats kept for companionship. Adult fancy rats need approximately 18–20 % of their caloric intake from protein; juveniles require 20–22 %.. Date latest changes:
Green Peas in Rat Diet: Benefit or Harm?
Green peas contribute approximately 22–24 % crude protein on a dry‑matter basis, a level comparable to many cereal grains used in laboratory rodent diets. This protein content is higher than that of standard laboratory chow, which typically contains 14–18 % crude protein, allowing formulation of diets with reduced reliance on animal‑derived protein sources.. Date latest changes:
Why Does a Rat Whistle Through Its Nose When Breathing?
Rats possess a complex nasal architecture that directly influences the acoustic character of their respiration. The nasal cavity is divided by bony and cartilaginous turbinates into multiple channels, each narrowing the airflow and increasing velocity.. Date latest changes:
Symptoms of a Tumor on a Rat's Paw
Benign neoplasms on the paw of a laboratory rat develop from localized, non‑invasive cell proliferation. The growth remains encapsulated, lacks metastatic potential, and often expands slowly. Because the lesion is confined to the distal extremity, clinical observation focuses on visible and functional alterations of the paw.. Date latest changes:
How to Distinguish a Pet Rat From a Wild One
Pet rats typically undergo health screening, vaccination, and regular veterinary care, resulting in a lower likelihood of carrying zoonotic pathogens. Wild rats are exposed to contaminated environments, sewage, and other rodents, increasing their burden of bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can transmit to humans and other animals.. Date latest changes: