Any vets on here? Need advice about little red bugs.

[Chickerdoodle13]

If they are long, I am willing to bet they are lice. If it's an outside kitty, I would treat with a little sevin dust dabbed behind the neck. Lice are pretty species specific so they will spread to other cats, but not likely to any other animals.

 

[GothChick]

We are starting to think it's lice as well. The bugs are very long and they have reddish heads and clear bodies. I noticed that my rats have them now as well. So either its a coincidence or maybe rats and cats can get the same kind.....

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Cat

Rat

 

[mypicklebird]

If they are long, they are chewing or biting lice. Kill them with revolution if you can get it, or flea powder. Advantage or frontline will NOT kill them. Be very careful not to put lots of flea powder on- cats are sensitive to pyrethrins & carbaryl and you can make them ill. Flea shampoo should also work. Revolution is the easiest to do, but you in general will need to get it from a vet's. Do not forget to retreat in 2 weeks. Rats DO get lice & they look very similar- but they are not the same species. You can treat the ratty with carbaryl powder (sevin), or revolution or even ivermectin- but preferrably get a vet's help with the revolution or ivermectin dosing due to their small size and risk of OD

 

[Carols Clucks]

I have no idea, but once I got a hamster from the pet store. I got the most horrible rash and tiny bites all over, then I noticed that the hamster had little tiny red "fleas" running all around on it. The pet store said surely could not be from them, but sold me hamster flea spray and that took care of the problem. Never seen them before or since.

Hope that helps

 

[Brindlebtch]

Sounds like time to use the feline equivalent of Revolution on her!

 

[redhen]

That would creep me out. *scratch.. scratch*

 

[scgamecock]

Looks like lice but i'm not a vet. However I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night!