Guinea Under Mite Treatment

[Anthony]

I purchased a new, 9 week old guinea on Sunday but the breeder advised she had treated her for mites the week previous and said the thin area of fur was it growing back. I know many may say I should have walked away but I didn't/couldn't. By Tues night it was clear the skin was worsening. A call to the breeder revealed that the 'treatment' had been an antiseptic spray and nothing that convinced me it would treat mites/fungal issues. So on Weds I took her to the vet who has provided Ivermectin topical drops and Baytril oral antibiotics. Can anyone tell me when I can introduce our new guinea safely to our other 2.....I have the new guinea in a large quarantine cage at the moment as a precaution. Thanks in advance for your advice
Anthony

 

[Cairnhurst]

Not much of a breeder using an antiseptic spray for mites, if there is enough Ivermectin to go round give the other 2 some as well then slow introductions

 

[Anthony]

I agree......very convincing at point of sale but later enquiries makes me wonder about their reputation. I haven't as yet treated the other 2 as they haven't seen let alone been in contact with our new one. Would you advise treating before introducing as a precaution? Now you mention it, it makes sense to me.

thanks

 

[Cairnhurst]

yes I treat my complete stud of Pigs and Rabbits at least every 6 months as a precaution

 

[Anthony]

That's helpful to know. Is it a vet provided only treatment or can I buy over the counter?
Thanks

 

[piggyfan]

Please take her to the vets for a diagnosis as there are different types of mites and all are treated differently. Over the counter treatments are not strong enough to kill mites. When you get a new piggy they have to be quarantined for two weeks anyway.

 

[helen105281]

I agree with Piggyfan. It sounds to me that she may need a course of Ivermectin injections as they are much more effective if it i mange mites.

 

[Anthony]

Hi

Please take her to the vets for a diagnosis as there are different types of mites and all are treated differently. Over the counter treatments are not strong enough to kill mites. When you get a new piggy they have to be quarantined for two weeks anyway.

Hi Piggy Fan.

I have already been to the vet who gave me the topical treatment and antibiotics. She has advised a week on each and then review. One of the earlier respondents to my original post was suggesting also to treat my other guineas (which have not yet seen let alone been in contact with this one) as a matter of routine.....I was enquiring whether for them i could buy drops over the counter. Rest assured my pets when ill go promptly to the vet......I have seen so many posts where people don't though, it's so disappointing i know.

Thanks for your advice its much appreciated

Anthony

 

[Anthony]

I agree with Piggyfan. It sounds to me that she may need a course of Ivermectin injections as they are much more effective if it i mange mites.

Hi Helen 105281

Thanks for your advice. The treatment so far has been administered by the vets (see my response to Piggyfan) I think if the vet's not happy in a week or I'm not before the next appt the plan is to move to injections

Thanks for help and advice

Anthony

 

[Wiebke]

Please be aware that you need to give at least 3-4 rounds of mites treatment at the stipulated interval (usually about 10-14 days) to make sure that you catch any emerging eggs; in your case with well established and untreated mites, I would go for 4 rounds. The first two weeks after treatment are usually worst. If you can, please do not bathe during that time (as any treatment of the inflamed, sensitive skin could trigger fits) and definitely do not bathe within 48 hours of topical treatment!

It would be good if you treated all your piggies with ivermectin to make sure that the others don't catch them. I always treat all of mine; the ones that have come down with mange mites preferably with ivermectin injections at the vets, as that is the most effective way of treating, and the others topical for prevention. I always do a full course.

I would wait with intros until your newbie has had at least the first two rounds and is much more comfortable in himself and your other piggies have also got 1-2 rounds of mites treatment under their skin. Observe quarantine rules during that time.

Sadly, your experience isn't unique.

 

[Briony_S]

Hi



Hi Piggy Fan.

I have already been to the vet who gave me the topical treatment and antibiotics. She has advised a week on each and then review. One of the earlier respondents to my original post was suggesting also to treat my other guineas (which have not yet seen let alone been in contact with this one) as a matter of routine.....I was enquiring whether for them i could buy drops over the counter. Rest assured my pets when ill go promptly to the vet......I have seen so many posts where people don't though, it's so disappointing i know.

Thanks for your advice its much appreciated

Anthony

Please find a different vet If it is mange mites they need 3 treatments of ivermectin spaced out over a period of time. It does vary but I think it is generally with two weekly gaps between, others may correct me on spacing as I'm not 100% on it.

you must keep the others away for the period of the full treatment, observing quarentine proceedures of scrubbing hands in between or wearing gloves when handling the infected pig. it is also advisable to keep the quarentined pig in a different room if possible

 

[Briony_S]

Soory @Wiebke I posted at same time as you x

 

[Anthony]

Please find a different vet If it is mange mites they need 3 treatments of ivermectin spaced out over a period of time. It does vary but I think it is generally with two weekly gaps between, others may correct me on spacing as I'm not 100% on it.

you must keep the others away for the period of the full treatment, observing quarentine proceedures of scrubbing hands in between or wearing gloves when handling the infected pig. it is also advisable to keep the quarentined pig in a different room if possible

Hi there.

The vets advice has been exactly as you describe, 3 applications at 2 week spacing. The review planned is to check progress and to make sure the antibiotics are working. I think the vet is just fine, I selected the practice as it actively promotes that it has vets with expertise in guineas....Not many practices seem to based on my own research locally. My quarantine cage is a huge plastic one for all the hygiene reasons and located well away from my other guineas, as this is a new guinea.....only got her on Sunday I had fortunately quarantined her in any case.

Thanks for your advice and comments....I am amazed how many people and how quick people are responding.Glad people care as much as I do.

cheers

Anthony

 

[Anthony]

Please be aware that you need to give at least 3-4 rounds of mites treatment at the stipulated interval (usually about 10-14 days) to make sure that you catch any emerging eggs; in your case with well established and untreated mites, I would go for 4 rounds. The first two weeks after treatment are usually worst. If you can, please do not bathe during that time (as any treatment of the inflamed, sensitive skin could trigger fits) and definitely do not bathe within 48 hours of topical treatment!

It would be good if you treated all your piggies with ivermectin to make sure that the others don't catch them. I always treat all of mine; the ones that have come down with it preferably with ivermectin injections at the vets, as that is the most effective way of treating, and the others topical for prevention. I always do a full course.

I would wait with intros until your newbie has had at least the first two rounds and is much more comfortable in himself and your previous piggy has also got 1-2 rounds of mites treatment under his skin. Observe quarantine rules during that time.

Sadly, your experience isn't unique.

Hi

Thanks for your comprehensive advice, I really appreciate the detail. I had already quarantined as standard and glad I did......my other guineas are in perfect health and aim to keep them that way ☺

Cheers

Anthony

 

[Briony_S]

Hi

Thanks for your comprehensive advice, I really appreciate the detail. I had already quarantined as standard and glad I did......my other guineas are in perfect health and aim to keep them that way ☺

Cheers

Anthony

No worries unfortunately there is far too much mis- information out there. There are even vets websites that state things like a male guinea pig should be neutered to live with another male as it will help them "get along" which is totally incorrect. Saying that there are plenty of fantastic vets out there that really understand them inside and out!

Its great you've found a good vet and I hope your new addition is feeling better soon x

 

[Anthony]

No worries unfortunately there is far too much mis- information out there. There are even vets websites that state things like a male guinea pig should be neutered to live with another male as it will help them "get along" which is totally incorrect. Saying that there are plenty of fantastic vets out there that really understand them inside and out!

Its great you've found a good vet and I hope your new addition is feeling better soon x

I couldn't agree more.....I have struggled with the conflicting advice out there which is how I arrived at the forum.

The vet rang me last night to say that she had done some additional research and advised further-don't ever remember a vet doing that from other practices I've been with.....her additional contact inspires confidence.

The baby guinea is certainly looking more comfortable, areas of fur loss not looking at all angry and 'crustiness' reducing. That said she is by no means looking as she should.....think we are a few weeks off that.

Thank you so much for all the advice and assistance.

Anthony

 

[madguinealady]

so pleased she is doing well.Thank goodness the piggy came to you and not someone that didnt know what they were doing or not prepared to spend the money.Pics when all better please, love baby piggies (and older ones)

 

[Rubys cafe]

Could someone give me a little advice I am a newie to having guinea pigs. Checked my two boars fur today behind ears and bottom area as paranoid about mites etc. I noticed one of them had white specks behind the ear in the fur is that normal? They have been scratching a little which I thought is normal . I change their bedding every other day in the hutch as there are so many droppings! The run too get changed regularly especially soiled areas. Am I being over the top with replacing hay? Thanks

 

[Briony_S]

EDIT - SILLY PHONE PLAYING UP DOUBLE POSTS LOL

 

[Briony_S]

Could someone give me a little advice I am a newie to having guinea pigs. Checked my two boars fur today behind ears and bottom area as paranoid about mites etc. I noticed one of them had white specks behind the ear in the fur is that normal? They have been scratching a little which I thought is normal . I change their bedding every other day in the hutch as there are so many droppings! The run too get changed regularly especially soiled areas. Am I being over the top with replacing hay? Thanks

Guinea pigs do scratch on occasion but if they are scratching excessively there could be an umderlying cause. I would suggest you should visit a vet the white specks could indicate a number of things but don't panic until you have seen a vet for diagnosis.

If vet deems your pet to not have any nasties and you feel scratching is still excessive you could then look at environmental factors such as the bedding type you use.

Please open a new thread for your piggies to keep all the info together there is a button at top of each section to do this that way if you need any more help all the info will be together for us to look back through and advice you better x

 

[Briony_S]

I couldn't agree more.....I have struggled with the conflicting advice out there which is how I arrived at the forum.

The vet rang me last night to say that she had done some additional research and advised further-don't ever remember a vet doing that from other practices I've been with.....her additional contact inspires confidence.

The baby guinea is certainly looking more comfortable, areas of fur loss not looking at all angry and 'crustiness' reducing. That said she is by no means looking as she should.....think we are a few weeks off that.

Thank you so much for all the advice and assistance.

Anthony

glad to hear yours are on the mend. Mine are doing well only a day after initial mite treatment and already seeing a lot less stratching.

 

[Anthony]

Update on our baby guinea pig, buttercup......we had a review at the vets the other day and the view is that this has not been mites, but a dose of ring worm. Fortunately I was treating her for ring worm as a precaution at the same time and the vet feels its that treatment that has improved her skin. Antibiotics stopped, still using ring worm spray but her fur is returning and she spends most of the day on the lawn in her own run in distant sight of our other guineas. Once her skin is healed I am looking forward to introducing her to our other 2 guineas....a while off yet though.......still in solitary until all clear!
Anthony

 

[piggyfan]

I hope she recovers soon.