Dandruffy Piggies!

[Doragon]

Hi guys! Been having a bit of a trouble with dandruff lately and I'm hoping you guys will have a little bit of insight?

Noticed Holly and Bramble been having white dandruff, clearly visible on the skin and in their hair. As I stroke them, there's actually some black dandruff coming off on my hands - I originally thought it could be mite dirt. I've already given the girls two rounds of the drop on flea and mite treatment from Pets At Home and given them a bath (only once, I know it's bad for them!) but after a couple of weeks it's returned full force.

Anyone have any ideas? They're not scratching excessively at all and I'm just wondering if it has something to do with shedding winter coats or if a vet visit is in order! They're not loosing any patches and the skin looks fine underneath the fur.

Thanks!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi guys! Been having a bit of a trouble with dandruff lately and I'm hoping you guys will have a little bit of insight?

Noticed Holly and Bramble been having white dandruff, clearly visible on the skin and in their hair. As I stroke them, there's actually some black dandruff coming off on my hands - I originally thought it could be mite dirt. I've already given the girls two rounds of the drop on flea and mite treatment from Pets At Home and given them a bath (only once, I know it's bad for them!) but after a couple of weeks it's returned full force.

Anyone have any ideas? They're not scratching excessively at all and I'm just wondering if it has something to do with shedding winter coats or if a vet visit is in order! They're not loosing any patches and the skin looks fine underneath the fur.

Thanks!

Hi! Please do not treat on spec and have your guinea pigs checked by a vet as to whether you are dealing with mange mites, fur mites, fungal or dry skin. They all need different treatment.

Please be aware that pet shop stuff is low dosed broad spectrum, which is not effective in an acute outbreak. It is much better for your guinea pigs, and in the end cheaper for you, to invest in a vet visit and the appropriate good quality treatment so you can get on top of it once and for all.
Guinea Pig Vet Locator

 

[Doragon]

Thank you! I'll book them in to be seen right away!

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you! I'll book them in to be seen right away!

The problem with treating on spec is that you kind of wipe the "crime scene" as far as a vet is concerned, as any diagnosis is a lot more difficult. If possible, have any skin problem seen promptly without doing anything to it, so you can then step in with the appropriate treatment fully straight away. If you have treated for mites with low-dosed ivermectin, you now have to wait the minimum time as specified by the product until you can apply it again. The same goes for any fungal treatment, unless it is systemic/oral.

 

[Doragon]

The problem with treating on spec is that you kind of wipe the "crime scene" as far as a vet is concerned, as any diagnosis is a lot more difficult. If possible, have any skin problem seen promptly without doing anything to it, so you can then step in with the appropriate treatment fully straight away. If you have treated for mites with low-dosed ivermectin, you now have to wait the minimum time as specified by the product until you can apply it again. The same goes for any fungal treatment, unless it is systemic/oral.

No no, what you're saying makes a lot of sense! I didn't know that was the case with these spot on treatments - in the past we've used without any problems so it's actually very handy to know that they're not any good!

It's also good to know that anything to do with the skin just straight down to the vet - I learn something new every day! I'll be taking them both down to Rachel in Dursley, I don't trust any over vet with my babies now!