How can a hair‑eating parasite be treated in a rat? - briefly
Administer a systemic antiparasitic agent (e.g., ivermectin or selamectin) and maintain regular grooming while treating the environment to eliminate residual infestations.
How can a hair‑eating parasite be treated in a rat? - in detail
Hair‑consuming ectoparasites in laboratory or pet rats cause alopecia, pruritus, and secondary skin infection. Identification relies on visual inspection of hair loss patches, followed by microscopic examination of skin scrapings or hair plucks. Presence of elongated, chewing‑type mites confirms infestation; bacterial cultures may be required if dermatitis is evident.
Treatment proceeds in three stages:
- Topical acaricides – Apply a 1 % ivermectin solution or a selamectin‑based spot‑on formulation directly to affected areas once daily for three consecutive days. Ensure the product is labeled for rodent use to avoid toxicity.
- Systemic therapy – Administer subcutaneous ivermectin at 0.2 mg/kg body weight, repeated after 48 hours. In cases of severe infection, a single oral dose of moxidectin (0.05 mg/kg) may be used, with monitoring for neurotoxic signs.
- Adjunctive care – Clean lesions with a dilute chlorhexidine solution (0.05 %). Apply a triple‑antibiotic ointment (e.g., bacitracin‑neomycin‑polymyxin B) twice daily to prevent bacterial overgrowth. Provide a high‑protein diet enriched with essential fatty acids to support coat regeneration.
Environmental control is essential to prevent reinfestation:
- Replace bedding with sterile, paper‑based material; discard all contaminated substrates.
- Wash cage components in hot water (≥ 70 °C) and disinfect with a quaternary ammonium solution.
- Isolate treated animals for at least two weeks, monitoring for recurrence.
Follow‑up examinations at 7‑day intervals should include repeat skin scrapings to verify parasite clearance. If mites persist, increase the frequency of topical applications to every 12 hours for an additional three‑day course, or consider combination therapy with a milbemycin oxime formulation (2 mg/kg orally, once weekly for three weeks). Continuous observation of coat condition and behavior will confirm successful resolution.