Red bugs on Rat

Question
Hi Sandra,

my name is Daniel Degre. I wrote you a week ago about Oreos trouble walking (still) and now recovered vagina bleeding. Today I found tiny red bugs crawling all over her.

They could have been there a long time, I only saw them today when i happened to have her in direct sunlight.

I already called the vet and they are going to call me back, since they need to research.

Could this be why Oreo has been weak and unable to walk?
I am actually excited just hoping that she is only weak from these bugs...and maybe she can be okay again when I get them off.

I read something about them being tropical rat mites that can be treated with Ivermectin...

I have seen chatter all over the net about people with little animals dying (rats, gerbals, hamsters) and then them noticing little red bugs on the dead body.

I brushed Oreos hair last night (which i never do) and now the bugs are everywhere. Maybe i stirred them up to be more visible...

Anyway, does this sound right....Small red bugs( smaller than a flea) are "tropical rat mites" and treat with "ivermectin"?

Answer
Yes this is what it is.  However, I prefer revolution but ivermectin is ok too.


The mites...they are often seen on rats with a compromised immune system and sometimes when a rat passes and the blood is no longer flowing, the mites will show up because they can no longer feed on a living host.  Chances are the rats had them but they were not as noticeable.  Rats that are NOT sick get them too though.

Mites, if left untreated for a long time, can cause health problems, esp anemia.  I wish I could say that this was reason for Oreo being ill but unfortunately the only real side effects they cause at first is itching and possibly scabs from scratching alot etc....

I am trying to recall if Oreo has hind leg paralysis or not.  Rather than dig through old messages, how old is she ?