Arg Mites - back from vets

[LA]

I feel so stupid, I am pretty sure I have mites AGAIN. I thought Ruby had scabs because at the time she was making sure it was known she was boss. But in the back of my head I was worried. I should have listened. She has scabs ALL over her back. We checked the others, Pearl has one or two scabs, Willow has one and not sure about the others. *sigh* I should have listened to my brain talking. It's normally right. And on top of that Ruby just STINKS.

Now here's the problem. The only place we can think they got it from was the carpet. Their outtime is on the carpet. The previous tenant had a cat and we sprayed the flea spray but I'm not sure if I did it correctly or if it works on mites. We can't really replace the carpet as we rent although the landlord might do it but then it's moving everything we own in the livingroom and bedroom (because the carpets are linked) we don't have a lot of room. So I'm not sure quite what to do.

I'm going to phone the vet tomorrow to get some revolution (which I hope she just gives to me because all of them have them I'm sure) maybe I will ask her opinion.

Anyone else have any ideas.

 

[jorats]

I'd do a really good vacuuming and maybe even rent a carpet cleaning machine.

 

[LA]

Ruby doesn't stink at all this morning. She is the one that always smells the nicest. She has less bumps but I am going to phone the vet still today.
When we moved in we sprayed wtih the flea spray because there were cats there. But then we also cleaned the carpet with a machine. So I wonder if that might have somewhat cancelled out the spray. Also I don't remember whether we cleaned the carpet first or sprayed first. I will try it again.

 

[jorats]

Either the spray or even the carpet cleaning should have worked.
With mites, you would have to do a big time cage scrubbing and get rid of all the wood toys in the cage. Also vacuum diligently all the baseboards in the surrounding area.
The wood toys can be put in the freezer for 48 hours or stored away for 3 months.

 

[LA]

I made the appt with the vet for Wednesday. Unfortunately Ruby will have to deal with it until then but in general it's a better day because Wayne and I are both off. That way the cleaning, vacuuming etc can all be done without them in the cage. I was going to give Ruby a bath because she smelt so bad but she smells a lot better so I am leaving that alone.
I bought more spray, I'm worried that I may have missed a spot when we first did it and that's how it happened. But the whole apartment will be done again to prevent this.
YAY for my vet though I love her. She is giving me an amazing deal. She wants me to bring all of them in but she will only charge me one fee and one scraping (yes I know it normally doesn't work but she won't go without it so I do what I can) and she will treat all of them for me. So I am very pleased. Although it's going to be interesting bringing in 6 rats. *sigh*.

 

[jorats]

Yay!! for good vets!
As long as your vet will still treat them even if she gets a negative.
Make sure the rats aren't near when spraying the home, it's won't be good for them to breathe that in.

 

[LA]

She did treat Ruby the last time when she got a negative, so I believe she will now. I think I am going to get Wayne to do the spray while I am gone. We are going to talk about that tonight.
Thanks Jo

Also I would like to state that whoever said that rats are less expensive didn't treat their rats properly. Because mine have cost a bit in the past while. So my note to new rat owners, make sure you have money saved up for the costs because seeing little ones suffer is really hard. Also when GGMR comes knockin remember that more rats = more cost.

 

[MumsyRat]

What brand of carpet spray did you buy? It's a bit pricey but I find Zodiac to be the best you can get right now.

 

[jorats]

I believe Zodiac is carbaryl 5% which is an excellent insecticide which can be used on kittens and puppies. Although there is strong arguments against the use of carbaryl, I have used it in the past, worked great. I had also read how some breeders would put some in their mice bedding. I wouldn't go that far, because any kind of powder is not good to inhale, not to mention...it's an insecticide after all.
Mumsy, you want something cheaper than Zodiac? Check out Sevin Dust ...it's exactly carbaryl 5%, but much cheaper.

 

[LA]

Yep that's the one I bought today.

 

[LA]

So I went to the vets today. Took all of them. As usual they were absolute rattie dolls or ambassadors as I like to say. They charm everyone. Now its come to the point that the girls hear I am coming in and they all come to see the rats.

As per usual the vet did a scrape, but found nothing. She said that she didn't think it was mites. She gave me the option to not treat and see how it went or to treat. Of course knowing what happened last time where she didn't think it was mites and treated anyways, I went with the treatment. I told her that over the past month or so I have seen the number of scabs rise on Ruby's back, also that I was getting married in 2.5 weeks and I didn't want to leave it. I don't want to leave my friends trying to deal with something like this. I wanted it taken care of.

So as I was gone Wayne sprayed with the zodiac spray, vacuumed, washed the cage. Now they are sleeping soundly in their cage.

Question for you. The outtime we have is on the carpet. We sprayed the carpet with that spray and I know it would be toxic to the girls. Can I ever put them on the carpet again. We are looking at those rubber runners to put down on the carpet as the girls like to eat it as well.

 

[jorats]

Give it at least a week, and I would think it will be ok to put the girls back on the carpet. Do a thorough vacuuming as well.

 

She did treat Ruby the last time when she got a negative, so I believe she will now. I think I am going to get Wayne to do the spray while I am gone. We are going to talk about that tonight.
Thanks Jo

Also I would like to state that whoever said that rats are less expensive didn't treat their rats properly. Because mine have cost a bit in the past while. So my note to new rat owners, make sure you have money saved up for the costs because seeing little ones suffer is really hard. Also when GGMR comes knockin remember that more rats = more cost.

I agree with you here, rats do cost a good bit. I feel your pain with the mites. Just tonight I discovered I have to get my 9 rats treated for mites & to make it worse they could have had them for a few months ..without me knowing :emb: :emb: :emb: :emb: