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Guinea Pig has lacerations

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Courtney

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Hi, My Daughter's Guinea Pig "Sniffles" won't stop scratching, so much so that she has lacerations, on her back. She now squeels when you pick her up and Whimpers and nods her head, sometimes 4 or 5 times a minute.

We had her treated for Mites about 2 months ago, when she was like this before, and it seemed to help for about a month. But now it is back and worse. We cannot afford to take her to the Vet again (having spent $200 the first couple of times) so now I am wondering if I should euthanize her. This would be heart breaking and I would prefer not to, but I don't like to see her in Pain either.:(

What should I do?:(

Courtney's Dad
 
Hi,
just a few questions.
where are you - you talk about dollars?
what treatment did she have for mites last time, and what was done with her cage/hutch to try and make that mite free? have you got a new hay source?
do you know of any rescues local to you, to which you could surrender her if you are unable to care for her yourself?
This sounds like a very treatable condition. i don't understand the consideration of euthanasia for such a treatable condition.
Boozyfruits
 
So sorry she is sick :(

Just wondering do you have any other guinea pigs that weren't treated that she could have caught mites from again?

I think that's a shocking price for the vet to charge just for treating mites. :( Maybe enquire with other vets and see if you could get it done cheaper. Also if you already know its mites and no tests need to be done, then it might be cheaper. Or maybe you could buy a spot-on product or something to treat the mites, without going to the vets.
 
Hi and thanks for your reply.

I am in Australia (hence Dollars) (I won't mention the cricket if you don't)

We have 2 females, Sniffles and Pumpkin both less than a year old, both were treated with Ivomec, 2 doses 14 days apart. The Vet administered the first and I the Second, The Hutch was Completely Cleaned with Vinegar and Water and then Sprayed and allowed to dry.

My concern is, she is suffering and it's hard to watch, I have always believed in "putting things out of their misery" and she is miserable. The Lacerations look awful. I don't mind buying more medicine if it's sure to cure her of the problem, but if it keeps coming back....

I don't know of anywhere I can Surrender her... and Bedding has been purchased from another (very clean looking) Pet Supply Shop.

Thanks again for replying, I have ben trolling the internet trying to find a solution. Has anyone tried Bag Balm or something similar?
 
Hi there,

You do need to get your piggie back to the vets urgently as it sounds like she has a bad case of mites which if not treated properly can lead to fitting.

http://www.guinealynx.info/mites.html


The vet should be treating the condition with ivermectin injections, one every 10-14 days.......three injections in all. If the vet has not given this treatment it needs to be started immediately.

Sometime in bad cases a steroid injection can be given to help relieve the itching/irritation....I suggest you also try and get the vet to give one in this case.

Metacam (oral) will help relieve the pain and inflammation.....you could try infant calpol up to 0.2ml twice daily (for an adult guinea pig) until you get to the vet and get some metacam.

Please contact Laura at the guinea pig helpline for more advice www.guineapighelpline.com. This condition is totally treatable with some care and attention from you she should be getting visibly better very soon.

I'd also recommend treating your other pig for mites too.

Best wishes
Alysonx
 
Hi Courtney,

That sounds horrible and mites can be very distressing for any piggy. At the same time, as much as it looks awful, it's not as serious as it looks in terms of treatment.

A child with a load of flea bites would scratch and scratch and probably hurt themselves (not the best analogy) and it's similar here with mites. I would suggest another big clean down and another mites treatment. Some mites may have survived or some eggs and that's what's started it off again. (do you have any other animals in the house by the way? they may be carrying them...)

It does seem expensive so you could look for a rescue in your area who can take her and get her treated. Have you looked into small pet insurance? It's often not worth it here in the UK but I don't know about Australia.

I'm sorry I can't be of more help. If it makes you feel better, in the 8 months I've had my boar Biscuit, we've spent over £600 in vet bills :( .....
 
We have a Dog, Bird and Lizards (Bearded Dragons). I don't expect the Dragons to be carriers but maybe the dog...? or Bird?

How do you get the infant drops into her?

IVERMECTIN, do you inject it? last time I put a measured amount behind their ears, and rubbed it in, using their ears.

Today I am going to look at another Vet, the one we go to has been good, (apart from only giving 2 doses of Ivomec) but expensive.

Thanks for your help everyone.

Courtney's Dad
 
Poor wee thing :(

However as the others say it is totally treatable if it is mites or if it is another skin condition it is also treatable and no reason for the piggy to be put to sleep.

You asked about the infant drops do you mean the infant calpol? You would give sniffles it through a syringe.

Dogs and birds can get mites but I do not know how common this is.

As for the treatment I am not sure I am afraid.

Where about in Australia are you? We have a few members on the forum from australia...depending on where you live they may be able to recommend a vet.

I hope you find a good vet and the piggy is feeling better soon :)
 
Are you sure it is mites and not fungal?If you gently pull out a tiny bit of hair does it have skin attached.if so that is a sure sign of fungal. Treat by bathing in Nizoral shampoo and putting Fucidin cream on the lesions. Ask your vet if it could be fungal ,in my experience vets are obsessed by mites and sometimes miss the obvious.
 
I am in Newcastle NSW.

I am thinking it's probably..... Mites?, because the previous treatment (Ivomec) did make a difference for a while and Her hair doesn't come out like that....

Thanks
 
yeah i'd say it sounds like mites all the scratching can drive the poor things crazy. Perhaps get in touch with Glynis? She's from Australia and may know if you can get ivermectin somewhere or recommend a vet. Not sure if you can PM so I'll send her a message for you :)) x
 
Just got back from Vet, both Pigs were injected and Sniffles, given Anti Biotics.

See how it goes, but Pumkin had no sign of Mites, he thinks Sniffles may have low immune system and it might be re-ocurring and if so there is not much point in doing this again.

Anyway he has suggested No Hay, and to use a soft Basalt stone for bedding.
 
I know hay can be a cause for mites, but I'm pretty sure you can't take hay out of a piggy's diet. It's a vital part of their nutrition and their teeth. Maybe you could use a hayrack (not sure if that would help) so atleast the pig's body does not have very much direct contact with the hay...? Did you use a different vet and if so was it cheaper? Hope your pigs get better. x
 
Courtney said:
Just got back from Vet, both Pigs were injected and Sniffles, given Anti Biotics.

See how it goes, but Pumkin had no sign of Mites, he thinks Sniffles may have low immune system and it might be re-ocurring and if so there is not much point in doing this again.

Anyway he has suggested No Hay, and to use a soft Basalt stone for bedding.
Click to expand...

Hmmmm...I thought it took more than one injection?

As for the low immune system....why does he think this? Mites is a very treatable condition.

Also no hay is not really an option for piggies....hay is a HUGE part of their diet. If you think this is where the piggies are getting mites from them try swapping brands.

Any update on Sniffles condition?
 
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