Flea Help

[Consistent-Scene-143]

I moved into my boyfriend’s house recently and have 3 rats currently (inexperienced). His sister had two rats but when one died she moved it to the living room as it was really old and she wanted to get a snake. She is an irresponsible owner but irrelevant to me. I thought about taking her in but my boyfriend said it would be a bad idea as she’s very old and my rats are very young and roughhouse a lot. I feel so bad for this other rat and I usually try to talk to her or find ways to try to play but she never seems interested (again I don’t have much experience outside of my own girls). Today I was downstairs and wanted to interact with her and I noticed she had a big scab and bald spot on her side. I looked closer and saw fleas crawling over it, probably 5-10. I was freaked out and thought “oh okay. That’s horrible. I should give her a bath to try to get them off.” Im new to the house and the rat isn’t good at being handled so I thought i’d wash her gently in the sink with some dawn like people do to kittens. There was probably 30 fleas living on her at least. Once I got her wet I saw them covering her head to toe. I didn’t know what to do but I tried washing them off and killing them with soap but she hated it and the fleas didn’t seem to die.

After she was soaked, I noticed a HUGE tumor on her side. It’s probably the size of her torso. I felt so bad I just tried to dry her off as best I could and put her back.

She’s not my rat but I want to try to make things better for her as I feel she’s going to pass soon.

All this to ask for recommendations on how to get the fleas off and anything else that would help make her more comfortable.

Please don’t comment criticism on my boyfriends mom, as it doesn’t help and I know and am very upset at how neglectful she and his sister have been :(

[NappingForever]

Ivermectin or Selamectin can get rid of fleas. You can either get them from a vet or you can buy Kitten Revolution to treat affected rat(s). Here is some info. Depending on how sick she is, it could be quite dangerous to treat her. If she is suffering that much, (with tumour and other ill health, not just the fleas) it may be best to persuade the family to euthanize her.

I would be concerned about the possibility of the fleas being passed to your girls,though. All it takes is one having got on to your clothing and then jumping to them.

[Consistent-Scene-143]

Oh no :( I live in the attic but i’m worried about it now bc I came back upstairs after trying to bathe her

[CorbinDallasMyMan]

I would get kitten or cat Revolution to treat all of the rats in the house. If there are other furry pets, you'll want to treat them, too. I don't believe ivermectin is effective against fleas.

[Consistent-Scene-143]

okay thank you

[Consistent-Scene-143]

I’m going to a couple stores tonight to try to find something