Frantic Guinea Pig Behaviour After Using Ivermectin

[Moonkat1992]

Hi there,

I'm just looking for a bit of guinea pig advice relating to my 2 boars (approx 3 years and 1 year).

My 3 year old boar is currently on Baytril for a suspected UTI, because of this he hasn't quite been himself the last few days having been in pain etc. Our younger 1 year old boar has been getting up in his face quite a bit, and there has been some teeth chattering, although these two have always had the odd chatter (they've been together >6 months) and it's usually resolved with a bit of squeeking.

We also noticed our 1 year old boar seemed to have lice, we're not sure where they have come from or if he just had them all along but in much smaller quantities. We treated him with Ivermectin earlier following the weight/dosage provided and plan to treat our older boar in a few days when he's feeling better.

Ever since we treated the younger boar, he's been acting crazy (~ 2 hours now), dashing about and chasing/ chattering very loudly at our older boar, it seems like a scrap could happen any minute (dust pan and brush at the ready) as the older boar is starting to chatter back. Just wondering if anyone has had this kind of behviour after using Ivermectin before?

They were fine when sat in their fleecy dog basket and when they were in their carry case earlier, but now they're back on their pen they just seem so agitated, and it all seems to be driven by the younger boar. He calms down for 10 mins or so and then goes crazy again, could this just be the lice dying? Or are we looking at a likely fight and separation here?

Any advice/experiences you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

 

[timmypiggy]

I've no experience in this area, I'm sorry! If there's been no actual fights ocurring I think I would just keep an eye on both of them, and be prepared to separate then temporarily if things ever escalate. I do hope someone with more knowledge will come along.

 

[Adelle]

Remove the treated pig to find out wether he is genuinely agitated on his own or wether he is just annoyed at his brother.

Put him on the floor (or where ever he usually has floor time) and monitor his behaviour. If it's normal, give him some time to chill out then put your other boar on the floor with him as well as home forages or treats to keep them amused and distracted.

If he is agitated on his own and still being frantic please take him to a vet Incase he's having a reaction to the ivermectin.

If he is just reacting like this to his brother it could e because the brother is ill and not acting as dominant, and your younger pig is taking advantage of his poorly state.