advice for newbie

[ros]

Hi

Just wanted to know if its advisable to treat my new piggies with anything to stop them from getting, mites and or lice. have read lots of conflicting advice some saying they get mites from the hay and some saying they dont, some even saying dont use hay use shredded paper instead, I'm getting confused as the hay is for eating? help

thanks- Ros

 

[claremw92]

hey...
piggies need hay at all times as part of there diet...
i think it has been known to get mites from hay... but i dont think its that common...

as far as mites go.... some people treat on a regular basis... some people treat if they get mites....
are you piggies showing the symptoms of mites...?
scratching...
dandruff...
bald patches that are dry/red/sore looking....

also... you can either buy the drop on sachets and do it your self but you will have to calculate how much you need by the weight of the pig...
or you can go to the vets and get the drop on sachet done by the vets or they can have the mites injection...

x

 

[Wiebke]

Unlimited hay should make 50-80% of a healthy guinea pigs daily diet. Unfortunately, mites and lice CAN come with a batch of hay - it doesn't happen that often; it is just one of these things. Mite eggs can however be already present in the skin of some piggies and can make an appearance whenever a piggy's immune system is lowered due to illness or stress. Skin parasites tend to spread quickly, so you need to always treat all piggies living together.

It is not a great problem if you treat straight away. Please see a vet whenever you are not 100% sure of a diagnosis. Especially mites, fungal or dry skin/allergy problems can look pretty similar at times and only skin scrapes/lab tests can discern what you are dealing with. Mites need always be treated with ivermectin, either through injection, topical or oral. Lice are best treated with special shampoos like lice'n'easy from Gorgeous Guineas, who sell shampoos that are specially formulated for a guinea pig skin ph. Please make sure that you have a good, piggy savvy vet.

Here is more about skin parasites:
http://www.guinealynx.info/parasites.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/fungus.html
http://www.gorgeousguineas.com/photogallery.html

 

[ros]

Thanks, they are not showing signs other than scratching occasionally but that may be part of normal grooming r x

 

[claremw92]

Thanks, they are not showing signs other than scratching occasionally but that may be part of normal grooming r x

little bit of scrathcing is fine.... its excessive almost constant scratching thats the one for concern...
x