How do you treat a rat for worms? - briefly
Give the rat a veterinarian‑prescribed dewormer—commonly pyrantel pamoate (approximately 5 mg/kg) or fenbendazole (50 mg/kg)—administered orally according to the product’s schedule. Confirm eradication with a follow‑up fecal exam.
How do you treat a rat for worms? - in detail
Rats commonly harbor intestinal nematodes such as Syphacia and Aspiculuris, as well as tapeworms like Hymenolepis. Heavy infestations cause weight loss, diarrhea, and reduced reproductive performance.
Diagnosis relies on fecal flotation or direct smear to identify eggs, and, when necessary, necropsy for adult worm recovery. Repeated sampling over several days improves detection of intermittent shedding.
Effective chemotherapy includes:
- Pyrantel pamoate – 5 mg/kg orally, single dose; effective against most nematodes.
- Fenbendazole – 50 mg/kg orally once daily for three consecutive days; broad‑spectrum nematocide.
- Praziquantel – 5 mg/kg orally, single dose; targets tapeworms.
- Ivermectin – 0.2 mg/kg subcutaneously, single dose; useful for strongyloidiasis and lungworms.
Administer medications with a small amount of water or soft food to ensure ingestion. Observe the animal for at least 30 minutes after dosing to confirm consumption.
Supportive measures:
- Provide a high‑quality protein diet to counteract nutritional deficits.
- Maintain cage hygiene: clean bedding daily, disinfect food and water containers, and remove feces promptly.
- Quarantine newly acquired rats for at least two weeks and perform fecal screening before integration.
Follow‑up fecal examinations should be conducted two weeks post‑treatment and again after another two weeks to confirm eradication. If eggs persist, repeat the appropriate anthelmintic course or consider combination therapy.