Guinea pig fleas

[BarbaraGosp]

Hello. I have 2 guinea pigs, one is a new addition to the previous one who has lost her cagemate a few months ago.
I had noticed a single flea on the floor of the cage, then I looked through the piggie's hair and couldn't find any, but I notice them scratching- not excessively, just once in a while, but I think more than before.
The one I had from before (her name is Llama) has a bump on her back, which is probably an abscess (she has had one a few years ago and the vet squeezed it out), so I have to take her back to the vet.
The problem is, our vet's office only has one vet which is specialised in guinea pigs and she is not coming in until monday. I could just go and get the flea medication and apply it myself but I'm not even sure they have fleas and I was counting on the vet to tell me when I take Llama to squeeze her abscess. Could the medication (Stronghold) hurt them if they don't actually have fleas?
It really bothers me I have to wait until monday but I just don't trust the other vets.

 

[Wiebke]

Hello. I have 2 guinea pigs, one is a new addition to the previous one who has lost her cagemate a few months ago.
I had noticed a single flea on the floor of the cage, then I looked through the piggie's hair and couldn't find any, but I notice them scratching- not excessively, just once in a while, but I think more than before.
The one I had from before (her name is Llama) has a bump on her back, which is probably an abscess (she has had one a few years ago and the vet squeezed it out), so I have to take her back to the vet.
The problem is, our vet's office only has one vet which is specialised in guinea pigs and she is not coming in until monday. I could just go and get the flea medication and apply it myself but I'm not even sure they have fleas and I was counting on the vet to tell me when I take Llama to squeeze her abscess. Could the medication (Stronghold) hurt them if they don't actually have fleas?
It really bothers me I have to wait until monday but I just don't trust the other vets.

Hi! Guinea pigs do not have species specific fleas (i.e. no fleas can survive on guinea pigs for any length of time).
Flea powders can be lethal for guinea pigs.

Any skin parasites (so your piggies really have any) have to be treated with a good quality ivermectin product.
Fleas And Flea Powders
What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness)