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Advice Needed Please, Mites Eek!

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TamTam

TamTam

Junior Guinea Pig
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As I suspected the pigs have mites.

However, I do not believe that I have been given correct advice. Maybe I am wrong.
The pigs have been given the topical treatment for mites and I asked about cleaning the cage or quarantine
I was told it was not necessary. I am still going to disinfect the cage before they go back in.
Plus I was told I do not need to go back for any further treatments?
as long as the one piggies bald patch grows back and the itching stops.

Does this sound a-ok? I hate to be questioning the advice I am given especially by a professional but I don't want reinfection?
It cost £51 today and as a one income family we cannot afford 3 return trips.

Thank you
Tam
 
Hiya Tam, I'm tagging @helen105281 for you as she will know more then I do, she was a super star when I needed help, Can you let us know what treatment the vet has given you and for how long (dose etc) please.
Also where are you getting your hay from hun? Cheap farm hay can cause mites, I use the online hay company hay for pets ive had no issues with unwanted visitors ;)
You said about a bald patch where is that patch on your piggy? , your right to clean their cage and wash any bedding thoughly. Did your vet do a skin scrapping of that bald patch? Why was your bill that expensive or have you just got a pricy vet like mine lol.
Sorry for the many questions. Kell
 
I buy Xeno spot-on topical treatment from Amazon. There are two different strengths depending on the weight of year guinea pig, but it is very reasonably priced on Amazon. Routine Xeno treatment is at monthly intervals, but have also had success with Gorgeous Guineas specialist shampoo! Sometimes mites are in hay supplies, especially farm meadow hay, so check for 'treated 'versions. I would have cleaned the cage too as you did just to make sure as I tend to be super cautious! Hope your piggies feel less itchy soon. I am sure others forum members will have advice for you too.
 
First of all you don't need to quarantine if both pigs are being treated. I agree that you should clean the cage and wash any fabric bedding at the highest temperature possible. What Spot on was it that you were given? is it mange mites you are dealing with? (which are under the skin and you can't see them) or something like hay mites?

Could you post a photo of the bald spot?
 
Thank you so much for replying.
Treated with 3 tubes of XENO for for the big one and two tubes of it for the lil one. No skin scraping was done and I have read that they can be inconclusive.
The bald patch is about 2cm by 1 cm just above shoulders.
Yes I think its living in the city the prices hahaha Getting Timothy ha from Wilko
XXXXXXXXXXX
 
Skin scrapes can be inconclusive and the only type of fungal likely to show up in a culture is Ringworm, whereas there are many different types. I had a skin scraping done and we did managed to see a squished mite under the microscope but it was a bit of a fluke to see it like that.
 
TamTam said:
Thank you so much for replying.
Treated with 3 tubes of XENO for for the big one and two tubes of it for the lil one. No skin scraping was done and I have read that they can be inconclusive.
The bald patch is about 2cm by 1 cm just above shoulders.
Yes I think its living in the city the prices hahaha Getting Timothy ha from Wilko
XXXXXXXXXXX
Click to expand...
The reason were asking about the bald patches is because if this is linked to ringworm we talking a whole diffrent kind of approach. They can get mites because they are run down due to ringworm as in my case (I brought piggies infested in lice mites and ringworm its was a nightmeare to treat :(
Ringworm shows up on a skin scrapping hun, can you take extra care when handling them incase it is this because it's very easy to pass on to humans....my girls and I caught it :( x
 
I don't use it myself either as I always insist on injections but you're right that does seem a lot in one go, it is usually spaced at least a week apart. Did the vet say to give all at once or space it out?
 
The vet applied the 3 tubes of Xeno herself. Just the 3 tubes in one. (2 for the other!)

I used Pype Hayes vets in Brum.

I am going to make sure that her symptoms improve before doing any handling cuz don't wanna catch ring worm. I was told not to handle them for a lil while to let the stuff dry and soak in and not get it on my hands.

What I will do is have a look for a similar picture online?
 
I have done a quick search and they all look similar but I don't wanna post a random pic unless it looks identical. x
 
I don't know if I'm allowed to post this link? This is a good reference site:
http://www.guinealynx.info/medical.html
Also for future reference I can highly recommend Manor vets: http://www.manorvets.co.uk/exotic-pets I realise its a bit of a journey for you but if anything serious crops up its the place to go! [ not the cheapest but its worth paying for a good vet ]
Marie is brilliant with guinea pigs, I am convinced that my little Pixiepants pig would not be alive today if not for Marie!
 
You need to apply xeno twice again, about 1-2 weeks apart (it depends on the product). This catches out any emerging eggs and prevents a re-occurrance. You need to treat all piggies living together, but mange mites are species specific parasites that burrow their eggs in the skin (which is very painful and itchy) and do not require quarantine, unlike ringworm, which is highly infectious and can jump species. A good thorough clean and wash at a higher temperature will do the trick.

Xeno is the best spot-on, so your vet is competent on score. How much are your piggies weighing? It can be that your vet only had the half strength xeno 50 in house instead of the higher strength xeno 450 for piggies over 800g.

I would strongly recommend to finish the whole course. You can order both xeno 50 and 450 online and do it yourself if you wish to now that you have got a diagnosis, or you can see one of our recommended vets on the top bar, if you prefer. I would look for other issues only if the itching doesn't stop after the second round or if the bald patches are continuing to get worse after a week of applying the first lot.

Here are differences between mites and fungal:
http://www.gorgeousguineas.com/indentification.html
 
Thank you they are both under 800g and were treated with Xeno Mini spot on 50 tube.
@Wiebke so I need to do give the big one Lola 3 tubes again in 1-2 weeks and the lil piggy 2 tubes again in 1-2 weeks?
Then repeat? Thank you!

I will definitely keep my eyes on the piggies. They're both still in the hutch whist their cage is drying!
I don't know what it is but cold water and disinfectant never feels clean to me? I like soap suds, heat and bleach! LOL

I might just ask the vet if I can purchase it direct from them... will have to do it myself as cannot afford to pay £150 for total of 3 visits x
 
TamTam said:
Thank you they are both under 800g and were treated with Xeno Mini spot on 50 tube.
@Wiebke so I need to do give the big one Lola 3 tubes again in 1-2 weeks and the lil piggy 2 tubes again in 1-2 weeks?
Then repeat? Thank you!

I will definitely keep my eyes on the piggies. They're both still in the hutch whist their cage is drying!
I don't know what it is but cold water and disinfectant never feels clean to me? I like soap suds, heat and bleach! LOL

I might just ask the vet if I can purchase it direct from them... will have to do it myself as cannot afford to pay £150 for total of 3 visits x
Click to expand...

Yes, please, repeat the treatment as recommended on the product box. You will need to order two boxes with 6 pipettes each. The interval and the amounts pr weight are clearly stated on the box. It is cheaper to order on the internet as vets take commission, but it can take a few days for them to arrive in post. There are several providers like hyperdrug, animed, viovet or vetuk.
 
Thank you soooo sooo much everyone.

I have contacted the vet... asking them to confirm why they said only one dose? I am calling back later.

Some good news though... I have been told that their teeth, feet, and weight are all good. Phew xx
 
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