Hay Mites Again!

[Deleted member 157166]

Hello,

My piggie girls are on their second bout of hay mites. When I went to the vets on Monday about Ginger, I asked about it and she gave me selamectin for both. I’ve applied all round their necks. She did not mention a second dose but most places say you should after 2 weeks to a month. So I may book an appointment in 2 weeks on Monday. Pip is scratching like crazy and she has all loose hair. Luckily no bald patches or red and broken skin yet. I know it can take 3 to 5 days for the formula to work and start to kill off mites. Also, I know not to bath them for at least a month.

I have been deep cleaning every day pretty much. They have been inside in a smaller cage because of the warm weather which has been easier to deep clean. I have been putting their bedding on a 60 degree wash. I have some silent clippers that I can use to cut down their hair. Could I do that tomorrow or should I wait a few weeks?

It was definitely the hay but I can’t change it till new hay arrives tomorrow.

Thank you

 

[Piggies&buns]

Treatment only kills the live mites, it doesn’t kill the eggs so repeat treatments are needed for the time when the eggs hatch; without repeat treatments those eggs become active mites and the cycle perpetuates!

Yes cut their hair off, it will remove the eggs so there are less to hatch - it will help cut down the infestation

Do a deep clean a couple of days after each treatment to remove debris from the cage which is falling off the piggies.

Are you able to buy a small bag of hay to tide you over for today so you can throw the current hay away and not risk introducing more mites

 

[Deleted member 157166]

Treatment only kills the live mites, it doesn’t kill the eggs so repeat treatments are needed for the time when the eggs hatch; without repeat treatments those eggs become active mites and the cycle perpetuates!

Yes cut their hair off, it will remove the eggs so there are less to hatch - it will help cut down the infestation

Do a deep clean a couple of days after each treatment to remove debris from the cage which is falling off the piggies.

Are you able to buy a small bag of hay to tide you over for today so you can throw the current hay away and not risk introducing more mites

I’ve managed to get some hay from Sainsbury’s to use for tonight and tomorrow morning. It isn’t the best but it will do. I’ll cut their hair tomorrow and I’ve booked them in for a vet appointment in 2 weeks to have a check and more selamectin treatment. I will do a full deep clean tomorrow with everything

 

[Deleted member 157166]

Treatment only kills the live mites, it doesn’t kill the eggs so repeat treatments are needed for the time when the eggs hatch; without repeat treatments those eggs become active mites and the cycle perpetuates!

Yes cut their hair off, it will remove the eggs so there are less to hatch - it will help cut down the infestation

Do a deep clean a couple of days after each treatment to remove debris from the cage which is falling off the piggies.

Are you able to buy a small bag of hay to tide you over for today so you can throw the current hay away and not risk introducing more mites

My vet said I shouldn’t cut their hair too short as it can affect their thermoregulation. So is just a minor one especially around their bums okay?

 

[Piggies&buns]

My vet said I shouldn’t cut their hair too short as it can affect their thermoregulation. So is just a minor one especially around their bums okay?

If the eggs are mainly around their back end then that’s fine.

Piggies mostly regulate their temperature with bloodflow to their ears but no piggy is going to get cold at this time of year even with a major hair cut (we fully cut the hair off long haired piggies at this time of year!)

 

[thewheakybeans]

Sending you mite-elimination wishes! I currently have a mite infestation too. The cleaning involved is a nightmare! Hope you get on top of it soon.

 

[Deleted member 157166]

Sending you mite-elimination wishes! I currently have a mite infestation too. The cleaning involved is a nightmare! Hope you get on top of it soon.

Thank you, did you have to clip your piggies hair back? I’ve done some of Ginger who was really good and a little bit of Pip but she got too anxious. I’ll carry on tomorrow.

 

[thewheakybeans]

Thank you, did you have to clip your piggies hair back? I’ve done some of Ginger who was really good and a little bit of Pip but she got too anxious. I’ll carry on tomorrow.

Yes especially as my girl has long bum hair! You can just do it in stages over multiple days but definitely gives the mites less to latch on to. I also use F10 on their cage when cleaning it out.

 

[Deleted member 157166]

Yes especially as my girl has long bum hair! You can just do it in stages over multiple days but definitely gives the mites less to latch on to. I also use F10 on their cage when cleaning it out.

I’m an idiot, Pip had a really itchy top of her bum. So I thought i would clip the area to see what’s was going on and there was some dandruff present. Most of the clippers setting don’t touch her fur as she’s short haired so I tried the lowest setting I can’t say that I have good line work I’m so sorry my girl Her skin seems good though

 

[Deleted member 157166]

Yes especially as my girl has long bum hair! You can just do it in stages over multiple days but definitely gives the mites less to latch on to. I also use F10 on their cage when cleaning it out.

I’ve fully cleaned out their cage using F10 and got washing all their bedding. Cleaned floor and carpets with the stuff as well. Doing the same tomorrow. Here’s Ginger with her hair clipped. I just clipped off the top of her hair and she is itching less since doing so

 

[Deleted member 157166]

I’m an idiot, Pip had a really itchy top of her bum. So I thought i would clip the area to see what’s was going on and there was some dandruff present. Most of the clippers setting don’t touch her fur as she’s short haired so I tried the lowest setting I can’t say that I have good line work I’m so sorry my girl Her skin seems good though

Even though I know it will grow back. I feel bad

 

[Roselina]

Even though I know it will grow back. I feel bad

No don’t feel bad - you’re doing the best for your piggies as @Piggies&buns says they won’t get cold in the Summer and it will give less for those pesky mites to latch onto !
Well done getting some other hay to tide you over !
It’s very hard and stressful atm but you’ll all get thru it !

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

I don't imagine that Pip knows or cares that she has an uneven clip on her backend. Please try not to call yourself an idiot, that does not help matters and you are doing the best you can.

 

[thewheakybeans]

I’ve fully cleaned out their cage using F10 and got washing all their bedding. Cleaned floor and carpets with the stuff as well. Doing the same tomorrow. Here’s Ginger with her hair clipped. I just clipped off the top of her hair and she is itching less since doing so

Ginger looks beautiful after her trim

 

[thewheakybeans]

Even though I know it will grow back. I feel bad

Please don’t worry, I nicked my girl Espresso’s ahem..bits when doing a bum trim recently but she made a full recovery. Accidents happen! You could make them look like a mushroom after a haircut and they wouldn’t care!

 

[Deleted member 157166]

No don’t feel bad - you’re doing the best for your piggies as @Piggies&buns says they won’t get cold in the Summer and it will give less for those pesky mites to latch onto !
Well done getting some other hay to tide you over !
It’s very hard and stressful atm but you’ll all get thru it !

I think I’m doing good, got new hay, they’re itching a lot less. I’ve deep cleaned their entire environment with F10, hot washed their bedding. I’ve given them a little cut it’s just overwhelming. I’m planning on deep cleaning their environment every week for at least a month until I feel/vets feel that the mites are gone. They’re going for a recheck next week. So I believe I’m doing everything I can. I’m not shaving Pip anymore as it stresses her out as long as I feel that her scratching has gone down

 

[Deleted member 157166]

Please don’t worry, I nicked my girl Espresso’s ahem..bits when doing a bum trim recently but she made a full recovery. Accidents happen! You could make them look like a mushroom after a haircut and they wouldn’t care!

I know, I wasn’t planning on going that low or wide

 

[Deleted member 157166]

Please don’t worry, I nicked my girl Espresso’s ahem..bits when doing a bum trim recently but she made a full recovery. Accidents happen! You could make them look like a mushroom after a haircut and they wouldn’t care!

Oh god can you imagine. Pip may not care but I would

 

[Deleted member 157166]

Ginger looks beautiful after her trim

She has a beautiful coat. She has light hair at the bottom and then a more gingery colour at the top. It makes her look more cuter actually

 

[Deleted member 157166]

I don't imagine that Pip knows or cares that she has an uneven clip on her backend. Please try not to call yourself an idiot, that does not help matters and you are doing the best you can.

Thank you, I certainly am and I’m sure the pigs appreciate it in their own way I tend to get self deprecating when I’m stressed

 

[Deleted member 157166]

No don’t feel bad - you’re doing the best for your piggies as @Piggies&buns says they won’t get cold in the Summer and it will give less for those pesky mites to latch onto !
Well done getting some other hay to tide you over !
It’s very hard and stressful atm but you’ll all get thru it !

Thankfully the pigs love this new hay which I’m relieved about as they’re notoriously picky