^ That is so sad, I had tears in my eyes reading that.
I couldn't imagine if something like that happened to my baby.
But I actually do have a lot of experience regarding parasites in food. I give Raddy a mixture of seeds and lab blocks, although he usually just eats the lab blocks since it's a balanced diet.
Anyway, one time the both the seed and the pellet mix I got him had parasites and all these little beetle like bugs were crawling around in it. I couldn't believe it.
I took it back to the pet shop to show them and they gave me a new lot but the same little bugs appeared.
Now if you knew me, you'd know I'm militant with the way I look after Rad so it wasn't anything I was doing that spawned the parasites.
ANYWAY, after the second time I had to throw the food out and get a new lot I asked the manager of the pet store why the food had parasites and he said it was to do with the way they're packaged and most of the food is months old.
The way you check for contaminated food is you look for white spots on the pellets. Apparently it's the same when checking for parasites in yeast.
I don't know if you'd be able to get this type of food where you are, but if you can, I'd recommend it. They're called 'Show Master Rat and Mouse Cubes'
They're amazing and I've never had a problem with them. Raddy has never been healthier either.
So yeah, congrats if you got through my novel!
PM me if you ever need to know anything about rats.