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Help needed!

  • Thread starter Thread starter brahminee
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brahminee

Hi All,

Have got a male guinea pig, 2 and half years old. He lost his brother a month and half ago and since then we have noticed sores appearing on his body. Bathed them in salt water and eventually took him to vets, who said it didn't seem to be tumours but gave us some mite treatment to use anyway. He seems to be scratching and biting himself, and we wondered whether this was due to losing his companion? Generally he is happy and healthy, talking lots and eager to eat. Anyone got any ideas what this could be or how I could solve it - hate hearing him screeching when he scratches a sore!

Many Thanks!
 
Hello. :)p

Did he only get one treatment for mites? When my girls had mites (and sores caused by intense scratching) they needed 3 separate injections a week apart. Flumpet was also given a steroid injection the first time to ease the itching as she had open sores. I would take him back to the vets or find another vet who is a cavy savvy.
I know that mites can be a problem to piggies experiencing stress, which would make sense with him losing his cage mate.
 
Hi I'd take him back to the vets he obviously needs more treatment to clear the problem up. Also have a look at the gorgeous guineas website, they do a range of shampoos for different skin problems. Have a look at the photos to help you identify the problem.
Best of luck, Kate.
 
Yeah I agree with everyone.

It takes a few treatments to get rid of Mites. I'd take him back to the vets also.
 
You need at least three rounds of treatment for mites, spaced between 7-14 days apart to get hold of the mite eggs burrowed under skin.

As he seems to have them pretty badly, I would recommend injections - they work better than spot on or oral ivermectin. If the mites infestation gets too bad, your piggy can start fitting, so he needs to be seen and properly treated as soon as you can be seen by vet - preferably a piggy savvy one!

Here are links to mites and fungal problems which are usually at the bottom of skin problems: http://www.guinealynx.info/mites.html
http://www.gorgeousguineas.com/photogallery.html
 
Welcome to the forum, brahminee.

I agree with the suggestions that further ivermectin treatments are necessary - 2-3 doses minimum spaced 7-14 (average 10) days apart. First dose kills all living mites, second dose kills any mites that hatched after the first dose, and third dose ensures that all mites and eggs have been killed.

A bath would also be beneficial though, either bath between doses (leave 48 hours after the ivermectin) or bath a couple of days after the final dose. Irritation from dead parasites can happen! I can recommend FleaorDie shampoo (have used this on a piggie with hay mites with good success) or something from the Gorgeous Guineas range.

For the immediate problem of scratching the sores, applying either Aloe Vera gel/ointment or Bepanthen (nappy rash cream) may help, although it's not a cure it can help to relieve the itchiness and protect/soothe the sores.
 
thanks all for your help and advice, piggy is back in the vets this evening and will be taking all your info with me! will let you know how he gets on
 
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