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Could it be Fleas??

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Siobhan_Roisin

Siobhan_Roisin

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Hi,

My Felix has started behaving weirdly. Nothing to strange, but I know to look out for the slightest changes in pig behaviour. He has been a bit off today. I don't know what it is. Not his usual bouncy self. He is eating and running around... but you know when they are just not themselves.

I have noticed him itching quite alot. It looks like when a cat has fleas. He has never done this before. He does not go outside.. but with all the nice weather I have left my window open for a few days now.. I concerned he might have some sort of flea... or such thing. I have tried searching through his fur.. but cannot find any... but I know fleas can be quick to catch.. I am not sure how to make sure.. I want to get him treatment as soon as possible.

He runs around.. but has been lying down quite a bit after itching...

Any thoughts?

I am very worried

Thanks
 
He could be scratching due to mites or fungal, guineas rarely get fleas apparently. There is a good identification page here: http://www.gorgeousguineas.com/indentification.html

If it is mites, he and any cagemates will need to be treated with Ivomec which is usually obtained by a vet or rodentologist. You can buy spot-on treatments (like Xeno 450) online as well.

If it is fungal, the GG (Gorgeous Guineas) melts and shampoos are very effective.

The good news is that if it is one or both of these conditions, they are both very easily treated but must be sorted as it can lead to all kinds of health problems.
 
I have read the descriptions and I have no idea which one it is.

He has not been loosing hair... his skin seems alright... I will get another opinion shortly... it is just the itching I have noticed.. and the slightly down personality.

I did think he was a bit warm earlier.. but then I thought I was being paranoid...

How am I supposed to tell which one to treat him for?
 
I'm not too sure about timescales, but you can treat them for both as it won't hurt them, if they have a spot on mite treatment you have to wait a while before you can bathe them for any fungal treatments so that you dont wash off the Ivomec. A good person to ask on skin conditions would be Chrissie at GG, she's always been happy to answer emails about things like this.

As for anything else it could be, I'm afraid I wouldn't know. He may be not himself because he is in discomfort with the itching, but I wouldn't like to say as I'd hate to give you wrong info. There are members on this forum with considerably more medical knowledge than me who will hopefully be able to help, but if you are in doubt I woud really see a good rodent-savvy vet or rodentologist to get a better idea what is going on.
 
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