Hay Mites?!

[Dixiebaby3]

Hello,
So I decided to throughly brush out one of my guinea pigs hair for the first time in a little while. She is a white Abyssinian and has recently been having a pee-stained bum. I’ve tried many things but can’t get it to go away. But when I was brushing it out today I noticed 4 or 5 black specks on her back!

I’m super scared and stressed right now. I’ve only had guinea pigs for only about a year and haven’t needed to go to the vet (don’t have much money too) yet.

I’ve looked up the previous posts about parasites and things and I think it may be hay mites. Cause they are small black flake-like things. I can’t tell if they were moving much cause she was wiggling around.

I’m just really scared and don’t know what the next steps would be. I know baths won’t do anything but dry out her skin (it’s already very flaky with white dandruff).And the medicine might be toxic! So I’m wondering if I should call the vet when it opens in a few days. As I mentioned I haven’t been to any exotic pet vets so don’t know how it will work/costs.

 

[Piggylove82]

Flaky white dandruff could be the egg casings of mites. A vet check is a good idea

 

[Piggies&buns]

Please don’t be scared. While hay mites are annoying, they are the least concerning of the mite infestations (mange mites being serious)

If you see dark specks on the back end of a piggy it could be the egg casings of hay mites. It’ll look like specks of pepper on their fur. The egg casings are visible, but won’t move. You can’t see the hay mites themselves (they’re too small).

Go to the vet to get the diagnosis - if it is hay mites then follow the treatment advice (who told you the medicine is toxic?), throw out any hay, thoroughly clean down the cage

 

[Wiebke]

Hello,
So I decided to throughly brush out one of my guinea pigs hair for the first time in a little while. She is a white Abyssinian and has recently been having a pee-stained bum. I’ve tried many things but can’t get it to go away. But when I was brushing it out today I noticed 4 or 5 black specks on her back!

I’m super scared and stressed right now. I’ve only had guinea pigs for only about a year and haven’t needed to go to the vet (don’t have much money too) yet.

I’ve looked up the previous posts about parasites and things and I think it may be hay mites. Cause they are small black flake-like things. I can’t tell if they were moving much cause she was wiggling around.

I’m just really scared and don’t know what the next steps would be. I know baths won’t do anything but dry out her skin (it’s already very flaky with white dandruff).And the medicine might be toxic! So I’m wondering if I should call the vet when it opens in a few days. As I mentioned I haven’t been to any exotic pet vets so don’t know how it will work/costs.

Hi!

Here is our information on skin parasites, including hay mites. Please don't treat on spec and be aware that you need to treat all piggies in contact with the affected piggy: New piggy problems: URI - ringworm - skin parasites

Ask your piggy to be vet checked for potential chirodiscides caviae. You d not need an exotic vet for that. Treatment is the same for all skin parasites (three rounds of vet grade ivermectin) but different for a fungal skin infection, which can sometimes look very similar; especially in the early stages.

Here is information on vets and how things are handled during the pandemic. We strongly recommend to save up on a weekly/monthly basis for a vet fund as emergencies or severe illness care can quickly run into the hundreds of pounds or dollars - and they NEVER happen at a convenient time!
A guide to vets fees, insurance and payment support.
Accessing veterinary care during coronavirus/Covid-19 lockdown
Tips For Vet Visits