Ok OR NOT???

The local rat breeder here in Kansas City is a couple that supplies almost all of the local stores that ell feeder rats.

They're rats have lice. Guess what, I don't buy from them, and I don't buy from ANY local store anymore because of the fact. You ever tried telling someone that they're rats have lice? They don't take it too kindly.

They also run the local reptile show that I frequent.

I now only purchase my rats from Rodent Pro.

In conclusion, whether it will affect my snakes or not, any rat that isn't 100% doesn't make it into my snakes belly.

T

why is it every pet store that some one in the US tells me about is horrid.

my local pet store (not a xhain pet store) sells top notch feeders. they are clean and the store takes very good care of all its sale pets.

getting lice in your sale items is just a sign that they dont clean there store.

Here is a word from the vet tech (not a snake vet tech, so don't ask me about their diseases), but I am familiar with animals.

Lice

Cause and transmission: An infestation with lice is called "pediculosis." Lice affecting rats are Polyplax spinulosa, and those affecting mice are P. serrata. Lice are transmitted by direct contact or infested bedding. Lice are insects that can be seen with the naked eye. They are flattened and possess no wings. The eggs may be seen attached to the hairs. Lice are very host-specific and do not tend to leave their preferred animal: the lice of mice will generally not affect rats, and the lice of rats do not affect mice. Neither can be transmitted to people.

Signs: Polyplax lice suck blood, so in addition to pruritus, hair thinning, and self-trauma, affected mice or rats may develop anemia and become weak and lethargic. Lice can transmit blood diseases: eperythrozoonosis in mice, and haemobartonellosis in rats. Rickettsia typhi, the cause of typhoid fever, can be transmitted by lice.

Diagnosis: The animal may be examined with a magnifying lens, or a piece of cellophane tape will be pressed on the affected area, and examined microscopically to visualize the lice.

Treatment: Ivermectin can be used as described above. Pyrethrin powder, spray, or shampoo (at concentrations not higher than 0.15%; in most cases, products safe for kittens are safe for mice and rats) can be applied to the affected animal and the bedding at intervals recommended on the product packaging. The cage should be thoroughly cleaned at the time of treatment, and regularly, thereafter.

Please don't feed your snake anything with lice. They are not healthy animals. It won't give your snake any diseases, but he's not getting proper nutrients. No, they are not protein. Penicillin also comes from mold, but feeding moldy food to an animal can be lethal.

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Originally Posted by stratus_020202

Please don't feed your snake anything with lice.

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A rat that is so infested with lice that it has become anemic will be very obvious.

In the wild, snakes eat what they can catch. Do I think it's dangerous to feed off a rat with lice? No, I don't. The snake can handle it.

Do I think it's good practice all the time? No, I don't. For one, all those poor miserable rats. Second, if you can provide a lice free rat, then do it!

I dont agree with the waste of life and food.

whats with ppl bringing back all these old threads?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

A rat that is so infested with lice that it has become anemic will be very obvious.

In the wild, snakes eat what they can catch. Do I think it's dangerous to feed off a rat with lice? No, I don't. The snake can handle it.

Do I think it's good practice all the time? No, I don't. For one, all those poor miserable rats. Second, if you can provide a lice free rat, then do it!

I dont agree with the waste of life and food.

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i agree, you would be able to tell an anemic rat hands down. so its not really an issue of if its bad for the snakes health either way. its just not a good practice because you should be considering the hygiene of your feeders for your own sake and theirs.

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Originally Posted by JeffJ

i agree, you would be able to tell an anemic rat hands down. so its not really an issue of if its bad for the snakes health either way. its just not a good practice because you should be considering the hygiene of your feeders for your own sake and theirs.

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Yes, exactly. It's pretty common sense for me though, QT is a huge deal for my colony. I am so dependent on them, I cant even fathom at this point having an outbreak of anything. We would be out a LOT of money, time and energy.

I also wasn't assuming everyone has a colony, but rather buys a weekly rat or mouse from the local pet shop.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

Yes, exactly. It's pretty common sense for me though, QT is a huge deal for my colony. I am so dependent on them, I cant even fathom at this point having an outbreak of anything. We would be out a LOT of money, time and energy.

I also wasn't assuming everyone has a colony, but rather buys a weekly rat or mouse from the local pet shop.

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well for the most part most do buy weekly. as i am right now. i have no need ot breed they would multiply faster then i can feed.

but if you got a nice place to go to that you get your feeders they usually let you choose any how. so you can look and see the general hygiene of the cage they are in and the rats/mice them selves.

I was told a little apple cider vinigar in the rats water would get rid of them,i would buy my rats from a cleaner breeder.