fleas!! yikes!

[mellybee]

hey all, so i noticed camilla was getting weak and itching a lot, and noticed little pink fleas all over the poor thing.
i bought a tube of advantage and while looking at where to apply it, i noticed alot of warnings about using this product on rats but the vet recommended it...im just not sure, any advice? i havent given it to any of the three and i was wondering how safe it was before i whent ahead and did that, i looked up alot of solutions but theres mixed thoughts on everything....

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

I don't think Advantage is good for rats. I have always just used Revolution because I know it's safe and it works on mites, lice and fleas.

 

[PitLuvs]

Advantage - no. Take it back and get Revolution, kitten formula

 

[mellybee]

oh pooh....i already opened it, oh well....revolution is better then eh? i guess ya gotta do whatcha gotta do, thanks alot guys i was worried about hurting her and im glad i held out.

 

[Moon]

Revolution is absolutely safe to use on rats. I don't know if Advantage is proven unsafe, or it's just not been tested with rats...

 

[victoria]

I thought Advantage was toxic to rats.

 

[xxchelle]

I've heard Advantage was toxic for rats, as Victoria said, but I'm not sure.

 

[Kimber]

http://ratguide.com/meds/anti-infectives/advantage.php

cat advantage can be used on rats, but not the dog one as it contains a different chemical which is not good for them

 

[mellybee]

i read that dawn helps kill fleas when infestation is high, on her lower back theyre just swarming and i feel so bad id like to get a few of them off quickly for her own relief.

 

[MomRat]

Little pink bugs could also be Lice.

The only flea/lice/mite med(that is a spot on the back of the neck) I have heard to be definitively deadly to rats is Frontline. Of course, so are the powders and stuff that would be bad for their respiratory systems. I don't think advantage kills as many things as Revolution....? It's been awhile since we were doing all that research. You could, of course, also get Ivermectin, but it takes more doses and more time.

 

[victoria]

Instead of Dawn, you can try olive oil to kill some of the fleas and offer relief. Be prepared for a mess though.

 

[theratlady]

there is no such thing as "pink fleas" sounds like lice. advantage will work but with revolution on the market thats what i highly reccommend to use.
kimber--advantage is the same for cats and dogs its just the amount. you may be thinking of advantage multi(never to be used on rats or exotics)

 

[Ollie]

There is natural stuff...
Not sure if its good for lice though.

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/he ... ntrol.aspx

I'm getting this for my dogs.

 

[Kimber]

*sigh* yes, that is what I meant...sorry, sick and tired (so wasn't exactly watching what I was writing. Advantage has imidacloprid as the active ingredient; whereas Advantage Multi uses moxidectin as well which is no good. (please correct me if I'm wrong theratlady)

 

[Dazzle87]

It's k9 advantix that is dangerous, as it contains pymethrins. Regular advantage is fine though. It works for lice but not mites, but it sounds like lice since they are visible.

http://ratguide.com/meds/anti-infectives/advantage.php

 

[mellybee]

thanks for all the help guys.
i did end up using a little of the advantage and shes fine, bathed her in dawn and she seems a little relieved, i will try the olive oil tonight
and also was wondering if i should bother getting revolution? and if i do, how long do i wait until i apply since i have already used the other treatment?
and if you guys have any tips for foods that help boost energy and her immune that would be great, i just wanna cover all the bases
im scared shes on the edge of not being able to get better at all!
breaks my heart to see her like this...

 

[xxchelle]

Remember that you have to dose ALL the rats in your home, not just the one showing the lice.

 

[mellybee]

oh yes...i am very aware; fun night ahead of me

 

[MomRat]

If you're concerned about blood loss/energy levels, you could give some Ensure - the strawberry flavor is always a hit, they suck it right down, and it is full of nutrients and calories. And blueberries are so full of antioxidants that I always consider them a superfood to give the ratties. =)

 

[mellybee]

i dunno about ensure, i drank it once and lets just say...crippling stomach pains all day...leading to other stuff... >_> hahahaha
but blueberries are a good idea.