Guinea With Lice Or Something Else?

Lilly_guinea · Jul 25, 2017

Hello everyone! I just got a guinea pig yesterday. Today as I was petting her I felt something crawling on my arm and I am not sure what it was but it was like blond? I brushed it off and checked lilly with my phones flashlight and saw a blond longish thing crawling on her hair. Could this things be lice or something else? I've never owned a guinea in my life so I'm completely lost. I will upload a picture and hope you all will be able to help us both out please. Btw her hair is chopped off from the back (idk why).

Pawz · Jul 26, 2017

Her hair is likely chopped at the backend to keep it from matting or getting grubby with cage littler. And because rescues/pet store staff don't always have time to brush them.

I would recommend having a vet check her out to be sure you receive the right medication. If she came from a pet store they should have a procedure in place to cover vet fees for a limited time after purchase, if they don't then complain until they do. If she came from a rescue they will probably also cover the cost (although rescues usually get a vet check done right before a rehoming).

**Given the color it might be hay mites. Please check the hay you purchased. I actually had to look up hay mites as we've never had a case of them in our guinea population.

Wheekallweek · Jul 26, 2017

Darwin had lice when he came into the rescue, and his hair was short like that at the back (even though he has a long "skirt" haha).
It was because he'd been barbering himself as he was so itchy.
Maybe this is why you're piggy's hair is short there too?

Pound Shilling & Pig · Jul 26, 2017

Hi, welcome to the forum. It could be lice or hay/fur mites. I agree you should have her checked by a vet for correct diagnosis and treatment. Do you just have the one piggy? Gunea pigs are social animals and need the company of others of their kind. Many rescues can bond lone piggies with compatible partners for you, although I would have her current condition sorted out first.

We have a section on the forum with lots of advice for new piggy owners
://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/forums/new-and-wannabe-guinea-pig-owners-corner.52/

Lilly_guinea · Jul 27, 2017

Thank you all very much for your replies. I've been calling around but only a few vets check guinea pigs and they're not even in all day so I'm having a hard time finding one that's in by the time I get out of work. Today I checked her whole little body and she has more on her hair they are kinda white or light yellow. She also has what seems like dandruff in one spot but I believe they are like round? And I do have just 1 I've never owned one before so forgive me. I will try to get another one when she is all sorted out (:

Lilly_guinea · Jul 28, 2017

Wheekallweek said:
Darwin had lice when he came into the rescue, and his hair was short like that at the back (even though he has a long "skirt" haha).
It was because he'd been barbering himself as he was so itchy.
Maybe this is why you're piggy's hair is short there too?

Oh and btw how did you take them off?

Sasra · Jul 28, 2017

It generally requires an anti-lice treatment from a vet. I just got back from having mine checked out (as they are new to me) and they both have lice. The vet has given them a treatment that is a few drops of liquid that goes amongst their fur, right on the skin. I need to repeat this in 2 weeks and again 2 weeks after that as well as disinfecting the cage and their grooming tools. I feel bad for the piggies at the place I got them from as if these 2 have lice, they probably all do

.

Piggy needs to see a vet before it gets too infested and miserable.

Wheekallweek · Jul 28, 2017

Sasra said:
It generally requires an anti-lice treatment from a vet. I just got back from having mine checked out (as they are new to me) and they both have lice. The vet has given them a treatment that is a few drops of liquid that goes amongst their fur, right on the skin. I need to repeat this in 2 weeks and again 2 weeks after that as well as disinfecting the cage and their grooming tools. I feel bad for the piggies at the place I got them from as if these 2 have lice, they probably all do .

Piggy needs to see a vet before it gets too infested and miserable.

Same. We used two doses of Ivermectin spot on at ten day intervals