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Fly strike, mites, worms ?

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Trish&Ewan

Trish&Ewan

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Ive been reading every post I can about keeping my new little piggies healthy. Do I need to treat them for mites etc, or just if they get them? Also should I use the fly strike spay? Treating for fungal infection at moment, but just trying to keep one step ahead! Also vet advised not to use sawdust, I used to keep pet rats and it was bad for their breathing, is this same with guinea pigs? Sorry so many questions.
 
You can treat routinely to prevent mites if you choose - one treatment every 3 months. However I would advise only treating when needed, excessive scratching, hairloss or hair breakages will let you know that a spot on treatment is needed (Xeno450 for adults/Xeno50 for young piggies). You already know the signs for fungal.

Guinea pigs rarely get flystrike - keeping their cage clean and ensuring that they have no faeces stuck to their coat will be the main preventative.

Sawdust can cause breathing problems - but wood shavings are a different product. Dust extracted, equine bedding quality shavings are fine - I have used shavings for many years and I do not have the problems that are often linked to the use of sawdust. There are many alternatives for bedding so it would be worth researching to find the type that suits you and your pigs best.

Suzy x
 
Thanks for your reply. As I am currently cleaning out the cage every day (as Scully has the fungal infection) I will carry on with out the fly strike spray. I have got a bit mixed up as I was using wood shavings, not sawdust, so will carry on with the wood shavings when Scully is better - it's easier for me to clean them out as moment using newspaper and old fleeces/blankets. And will treat for mites if they get them. Thank you so much, Trish
 
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