Anti parasite

[LittleNuggets]

Hi everyone,

I was just wondering what does everyone use to prevent parasites in their piggies? (UK)

I’m currently using the Beaphar anti-parasite spot on for mine (once a month, 2 viles per guinea pig). My Guinea pigs all weigh above 750g

 

[Piggies&buns]

It’s not recommended to use any product as a preventative.
It’s by far better to only use a vet strength prescription product as part of a course of treatment upon direction of a vet and only if your piggies have a diagnosed active case of mites.
Using such pet shop products such as beaphar as a preventative can lead to resistance so if you do have an active case, then it can be much harder to treat. Such pet shop products are far too low dosed to actually cure an active case of mites (pet shops aren’t allowed to sell the correct product) in any event

 

[PigglePuggle]

I defintely agree with @Piggies&buns antiparasitic treatments should only be used when there is a clinical need and a confirmed vet diagnosis.

Using low strength over the counter antiparasitics routinely is potentially very dangerous because it can cause 1 or 2 harmless mites to develop resistance to the medication. Then if piggy gets run down and their immune system can't keep the parasites in check... suddenly you have an untreatable clinical case that can no longer be controlled by the existing safe prescription strength treatments

 

[LittleNuggets]

There is no exotics vet close to where I live and I seem to know more than my own vets in relation to guinea pigs. I had a case with my 4 Guinea pigs last month where one of them had fleas and another had mites, so I had to treat them all (must have gotten them from the hay). I asked the vet for treatment and they said I’d be better buying the beaphar one from the pet shop, it cleared them up completely in a couple of days. I’ll not use it as a preventative from here on out, I’ve only done it once. I just wanted to make sure I was doing the right thing in checking on here, thanks

 

[Piggies&buns]

Piggies don’t have a species specific flea. Fleas from other species will not become an issue for guinea pigs. Flea treatments for other animals are dangerous for piggies.

It’s difficult if you don’t have access to a knowledgeable vet.
Treating mites effectively takes a prescription strength treatment. It’s done by three separate treatments with two weeks between each treatment. Mite treatments can only kill the live mites, not the eggs, so hence a second treatment is needed two weeks later to kill the mites that were eggs at the first treatment. The third treatment fully making sure the issue is dealt with and all mites are gone. Alongside this, replacing the hay and thoroughly cleaning the cage using F10 (a vet grade disinfectant)
Low dosed pet shop products only tend to suppress the issue rather than fully deal with it.

New Guinea Pig Problems: Sexing & Pregnancy; URI, Ringworm & Parasites; Vet Checks & Customer Rights