COMMON GRASSCUTTER DISEASES AND HOW TO TREAT THEM

Raising grasscutters (also known as cane rats) is a growing business in Nigeria and across Africa. While the demand for grasscutter meat is high, one major challenge farmers face is disease outbreak, which can lead to serious loss if not handled properly.

In this article, you’ll learn about the most common grasscutter diseases, their symptoms, how to treat them, and how to prevent future outbreaks. Whether you’re a beginner or already running a small grasscutter farm, this guide is written in plain language with practical tips you can use immediately.

1. Diarrhea (Scouring)

Symptoms:

Watery or loose droppings

Soiled bedding or cage floor

Weakness or loss of appetite

Causes:

Poor-quality feed or sudden feed changes

Dirty drinking water

Wet and unhygienic cages

Treatment:

Isolate the affected animal immediately

Give Electrolyte Glucose solution in drinking water

Administer oxytetracycline or neomycin (as advised by a vet)

Prevention Tips:

Clean cages regularly

Give clean drinking water daily

Avoid sudden feed changes

2. Pneumonia (Cold/Respiratory Infection)

Symptoms:

Sneezing or noisy breathing

Discharge from nose or eyes

Difficulty breathing

Weakness and low activity

Causes:

Cold weather or direct wind

Overcrowded or damp housing

Poor ventilation

Treatment:

Keep the animal warm

Administer antibiotics like amoxicillin (as prescribed)

Improve cage ventilation

Prevention Tips:

Build cages in dry, warm areas

Avoid placing cages in direct wind

Don’t overcrowd the housing unit

3. **Skin Infections and Mange

Symptoms:

Scratching or biting of skin

Hair loss or patches

Red or crusty skin

Causes:

Mites or fleas

Dirty cage environment

Close contact with infected animals

Treatment:

Apply Ivermectin (under vet supervision)

Disinfect cage and equipment

Use medicated soap for cleaning infected area

Prevention Tips:

Regular cage cleaning with disinfectants

Isolate new grasscutters for observation

Dust with insecticide powder occasionally

4. Bloating (Stomach Swelling)

Symptoms:

Swollen stomach

Restlessness

Lack of appetite

Sudden death in severe cases

Causes:

Overfeeding

Spoiled or fermented feed

Gas build-up from low-quality food

Treatment:

Reduce feeding

Give activated charcoal or anti-gas treatment

Consult a vet if symptoms persist

Prevention Tips:

Feed with fresh and balanced diet

Avoid moldy or fermented feed

Stick to feeding schedules

5. Wounds and Bite Injuries

Symptoms:

Cuts or bleeding wounds

Swollen body parts

Lameness

Causes:

Fighting among males

Sharp objects in the cage

Improper handling

Treatment:

Clean wound with warm salt water or antiseptic

Apply antibiotic ointment

Isolate injured grasscutter to avoid more injury

Prevention Tips:

Separate mature males during breeding

Remove sharp cage edges

Handle animals gently

6. Nutritional Deficiency

Symptoms:

Weakness or stunted growth

Poor reproductive performance

Frequent illnesses

Causes:

Poor quality feed

Lack of vitamins or minerals

Inconsistent feeding

Treatment:

Add multivitamins to drinking water

Improve feed quality (include maize, grass, cassava peel, etc.)

Prevention Tips:

Give well-balanced feed

Avoid depending on one food type

Provide calcium and salt licks

🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ignoring early signs of illness

Overcrowding cages

Not isolating sick animals

Using expired or fake drugs

Feeding moldy or dirty food

📝 Final Advice for Farmers

Observe your grasscutters daily** — early detection saves lives.

Record diseases and treatments for future reference.

Keep your farm clean, dry, and well-ventilated.

Consult a vet when you're unsure. Don’t guess.

 📢 Need Healthy Grasscutters or Mentorship?

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