Has My Guinea Pig Got Lice?

[Tyler3455]

I've just picked up my youngest of two guinea pig and Diesel is covered in little brown splodges.
There's no signs of him being itchy or iritable, but I wondered if it was lice or some form of other skin infection etc.
I've attached a photo, there's nothing on his skin, just on his fur.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. (I am yet to check my older Guinea for it)

Thank you,
Tyler

 

[Poppy'sMum]

Looks like hay/static lice to me, but a vet will say for sure. If they are static lice I treat them by bathing my piggies in Flea or Die shampoo, then again a week later. You will need to thoroughly hot wash (60 degrees) their bedding & throw out any cardboard chubes etc or anything else that can't be hot washed

 

[Tyler3455]

Okay, I was planning on washing and cutting their hair this evening, then checking them again after.
I have two plastic houses which can be washed in boiling water and all bowls, hay racks etc can also be washed in boiling water.
Are they harmful to my pigs?

 

[Tyler3455]

Also, should I throw my current batch of Hay out and buy a new bag?

 

[Poppy'sMum]

Also, should I throw my current batch of Hay out and buy a new bag?

Yes, sorry meant to say throw your hay away Probably best to get it from another source. I have found imported hay from the US like Western Timothy hay or Alfalfa King Timothy hay (Not alfalfa hay, it's the brand name) don't have the static lice because they are sterile due to EU regulations They aren't harmful to piggies, most will have them, they just look unsightly to some owners, or more noticeable on white piggies, so some owners prefer to get rid of them. Shampooing is the simplest way as long as your piggies are happy with baths & you are confident doing them Hot soapy wash & rinse any plastic hidies

 

[Tyler3455]

Both my piggies are very white with long, thick scruffy hair! I bought some new hay, with better quality in my opinion.
I have this evening off work so plan to give them a good summer cut to remove a lot of their hair and then give them a nice soak (They both enjoy running around in the water, there is a little slope in my bath that allows it to just be deep enough if they want to swim) I have proper pet shampoo and will deep clean the cage (Also throw out any wooden toys). Hopefully this will resolve them. They don't seem to be in any discomfort at all so i'm not entirely worried!
Will post a before and after pic of their grooming session to introduce my two piggies!

 

[Adelle]

Both my piggies are very white with long, thick scruffy hair! I bought some new hay, with better quality in my opinion.
I have this evening off work so plan to give them a good summer cut to remove a lot of their hair and then give them a nice soak (They both enjoy running around in the water, there is a little slope in my bath that allows it to just be deep enough if they want to swim) I have proper pet shampoo and will deep clean the cage (Also throw out any wooden toys). Hopefully this will resolve them. They don't seem to be in any discomfort at all so i'm not entirely worried!
Will post a before and after pic of their grooming session to introduce my two piggies!

Just wanted to add that guinea pigs dont like to swim- they will only do so as a means of stopping themselves from drowning.

Please only have your bath water deep enough that they can stand in it comfortably on all four feet, without having to lift their head to keep it away from the water. An inch deep is usually suffice x

 

[Tyler3455]

Right, I did not know that.
I always assumed like us that they enjoyed paddling around. I will reduce the amount of water used in the bath and let them strut around.
I often find they popcorn more in the bath which as you can imagine creates great mess!
thank you for your help.