How do you treat rats for mange? - briefly
Treat rat mange with veterinary‑prescribed acaricides—commonly ivermectin or selamectin—delivered orally or topically, and follow the prescribed dosage schedule. Clean the cage, remove contaminated bedding, and isolate the affected animal to stop re‑infestation.
How do you treat rats for mange? - in detail
Mange in rats is caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, which burrows into the skin and produces intense itching, hair loss, and crusted lesions. Prompt identification involves observing these clinical signs and confirming the presence of mites through skin scrapings examined under a microscope.
Effective management requires a combination of pharmacologic therapy, environmental sanitation, and supportive care. The primary medications used are acaricidal agents that can be applied topically or given orally.
-
Topical treatments
- Ivermectin lotion (1 % solution) applied to affected areas once daily for three consecutive days.
- Selamectin spray (0.8 % concentration) administered once, with a repeat dose after seven days if lesions persist.
- Moxidectin cream (0.5 %) applied twice weekly for two weeks.
-
Oral treatments
- Ivermectin tablets, dosage 0.2 mg/kg body weight, administered once; a second dose may be given after ten days.
- Doramectin oral suspension, dosage 0.1 mg/kg, repeated after seven days.
Dosage calculations must be based on the individual rat’s weight; accurate scales are essential. Administer medications with a small amount of soft food or a syringe to ensure full ingestion. Monitor for adverse reactions such as lethargy, loss of appetite, or neurological signs, and discontinue the drug if severe effects appear.
Environmental control reduces reinfestation risk. Remove bedding, clean cages with a 1 % bleach solution, and replace with fresh, disinfected material. Treat all cohabiting rodents, as subclinical carriers can perpetuate the infestation. Quarantine treated animals for at least two weeks after the final medication dose; repeat skin scrapings to verify eradication.
Supportive measures include providing a high‑protein diet, supplemental vitamins, and maintaining ambient humidity at 50–60 % to promote skin healing. Hydration should be monitored, and any secondary bacterial infections treated with appropriate antibiotics based on culture results.
Follow‑up examinations at one‑week intervals assess lesion resolution and confirm the absence of mites. If lesions persist after the initial protocol, consider a second course of a different acaricide or consult a veterinarian specializing in exotic mammals for alternative therapies such as injectable moxidectin or combination regimens.