Black dots on one piggie... Not fleas?

[Lynith]

Thursday we picked up 3 Peruvian guinea pigs from a breeder. The two babies are beautiful and healthy as can be. Momma, however.... Is itchy and has all these black dots when we comb her out with a flea comb.

They don't react to peroxide so I'm inclined to think they aren't fleas. What is this and what can I do to help?

 

[Wiebke]

Thursday we picked up 3 Peruvian guinea pigs from a breeder. The two babies are beautiful and healthy as can be. Momma, however.... Is itchy and has all these black dots when we comb her out with a flea comb.

They don't react to peroxide so I'm inclined to think they aren't fleas. What is this and what can I do to help?

Please have your guinea pigs vet checked for hay mites (discoides caviae) and please do not home treat on spec!
There are no fleas that are guinea pig specific.

We cannot and are not qualified to diagnose just from pictures; we can only advise you when you need to see a vet and what avenues to pursue with them.
More information on guinea pig specific skin parasites in this link here. I would also strongly recommend that you double-check the gender and have your piggies given a thorough health check, seeing that they are not exactly from the best place if they sell infested piggies.
You can complain to your local council over trading standards if they advertise their guinea pigs publicly (including free-ads).
What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness)

This guide is part of our new owners help and information collection, which addresses the specifically the areas most owners have the most questions and worries about. You may also find it helpful: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

 

[Katiedid]

That looks like static lice. It’s easy to treat - pop them to the vets.

 

[Lynith]

I had a suspicion it was lice. Well, off to the Floof Potato vet she goes.

Thanks

 

[Lynith]

More information on guinea pig specific skin parasites in this link here. I would also strongly recommend that you double-check the gender and have your piggies given a thorough health check, seeing that they are not exactly from the best place if they sell infested piggies.
You can complain to your local council over trading standards if they advertise their guinea pigs publicly (including free-ads)

It's a long story but Blossom wasn't "sold" to us. We rehomed 2 (vicious, but beautiful) Harelquin Lionhead bunnies to a friend of hers. We told her we were going to try Guinea Pigs (which we should've done in the first place.). And she knew this breeder was looking to get OUT of of the breeding business. So we got these 3 girls free.

So... Maybe Blossom's bug problems are a good sign of why she's getting out of the business. And why that's probably for the best. At least she's in a happy and loving home now.

But thanks for the concern.