Guinea Pig Lice

[Big G]

Hi everyone

I know its been a while since i posted, just been busy with other stuff.
We also still haven't managed to get a friend for Buddy yet, but we are working on it.

The reason for the post, and sorry if its already been covered, is Guinea Pig Lice.

Our wee piggy has been scratching for the last 3-4 weeks, maybe longer but hard to tell, anyway, i noticed that he's got a scab and slight graze on his back.
So made a really quick appointment to see the vet, who were brilliant by the way, and it turns out he has biting lice etc!

He's been prescribed Xeno 450 Spot On to be applied 3 times (today / 2 weeks / 2 weeks)
The wee guy is still itching but i'm so glad we took to the vet and i now wish i'd taken him sooner.

What i really wanted to know is:-

Is this quite common?
Could we do anything else, or buy additional treatments, or should we just wait to see if the Xeno 450 works etc?
The vet told us to avoid handling our piggy within this monthly period, unless we wash our hands after it, but the rest of our family are worried if they catch these lice. Is this possible?

Thanks again

G

 

[Abi_nurse]

Guinea pig lice are very common, they usually come in on hay so it may well be worthwhile throwing away all hay and getting a new batch of a good brand (often the cheaper hays are worst for lice). Ensure you disinfect all of your piggies cage/hutch and wash any bedding at 60 degrees or more. Lice don't usually make the jump to people so I wouldn't be too concerned about this. He xeno will clear them providing you give him all three doses to break the life cycle.

Hope he feels better soon.

x

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone

I know its been a while since i posted, just been busy with other stuff.
We also still haven't managed to get a friend for Buddy yet, but we are working on it.

The reason for the post, and sorry if its already been covered, is Guinea Pig Lice.

Our wee piggy has been scratching for the last 3-4 weeks, maybe longer but hard to tell, anyway, i noticed that he's got a scab and slight graze on his back.
So made a really quick appointment to see the vet, who were brilliant by the way, and it turns out he has biting lice etc!

He's been prescribed Xeno 450 Spot On to be applied 3 times (today / 2 weeks / 2 weeks)
The wee guy is still itching but i'm so glad we took to the vet and i now wish i'd taken him sooner.

What i really wanted to know is:-

Is this quite common?
Could we do anything else, or buy additional treatments, or should we just wait to see if the Xeno 450 works etc?
The vet told us to avoid handling our piggy within this monthly period, unless we wash our hands after it, but the rest of our family are worried if they catch these lice. Is this possible?

Thanks again

G

Skin parasites are species specific, so while good hygiene is essential to prevent you being accidentally bitten by the very odd confused louse that will immediately discover its error, guinea pig lice simply starve on human blood as they cannot digest it. So no nightmares about crawling with lice! If you are really worried, I'd recommend to wear disposable gloves when delaing with buddy.

Guinea pigs can be treated for lice with xeno (ivermectin). I would only look for further treatment with a shampoo like lice'n'easy from gorgeous guineas in case the ivermectin is not successful. You'd need to wait for at least 48 hours between each topical (skin) treatment to allow it to do its work until you can do something else to the skin, so chucking the kitchen sink at the lice can become counterproductive.

I would however encourage you to find a companion for Buddy once he is over the lice. A happy piggy is a piggy with a strong immune system that can go a long way in keeping skin parasites like mange mites and running lice under control.

 

[Big G]

Hi Wiebke and Abi

Thanks for the replies.
Thanks for reassuring us on this one, especially the skin crawling thoughts....!

We're actively trying to get another cage so we can get him a wee friend, and then eventually move them in together. Just trying to find the time with work etc.
However, i'll let this treatment run it's course and then source another piggy for him to play with.

Cheers again for calming us all down a bit.

G