• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Help please - think my guines have mites

Status
Not open for further replies.
L

loveguinea

New Born Pup
Joined
Jul 23, 2013
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Points
0
I have just had my two boys out, my daughter was holding one and she kept saying mom what's the yellow things moving on his head. After very closely inspecting (she must have amazing eyesight cause I could hardly see them) they have tiny little moving things on them which I can only assume are mites. What do I do? I have never had a guinea pig with this before. Can you buy treatments from pet shops or do I need to visit the vets? I would be very grateful for any advice. Many thanks
 
you can buy special shampoo at a pet store.. but if i was in your situation i would take the piggy to the vets as guinea pigs are very sensitive to any kind of illnesses or bites.
you vet will treat the mites and also supply your piggy with antibiotics depending on how severe the infestation is.
ive never had my pigs suffer with mites but i do know how quick things can go wrong if left un-dealt with. a visit to the vets will put your mind at ease
 
thank you for the advice. Think I will book an appointment in the morning. Have just been looking on the forum but cannot see any mites like the ones I have found on my guineas. They look almost yellow. I have had lots of guinea pigs but never suffered with mites before and the cage is always spotless. They usually run round the hall floor are they still OK to do that does anyone know as I have 3 children and am worried now especially as they have all just had a hold of them.
 
If its mites you won't see them as they live under the skin. Lice on the other hand you can see wriggling in the fur as they live in dead skin and debris. With lice you can buy shampoo either Johnsons insecticidal shampoo for small animals (most pet shops sell it) or gorgeous guineas lice n easy both require two treatments 7 days apart one to kill the adults and the second to kill any babies that have hatched. Many piggies have lice and owners don't realise it, they come in on hay or supposedly. Mites live under the skin like I mentioned before and make the piggy itchy, they leave dry skin patches usually and require treatment with Invectimin which can be given via spot on drops for 3 weeks (once a week) or injection at the vets. If they are visable they will more then likely be lice which are easily treatable :)
 
loveguinea said:
thank you for the advice. Think I will book an appointment in the morning. Have just been looking on the forum but cannot see any mites like the ones I have found on my guineas. They look almost yellow. I have had lots of guinea pigs but never suffered with mites before and the cage is always spotless. They usually run round the hall floor are they still OK to do that does anyone know as I have 3 children and am worried now especially as they have all just had a hold of them.
Click to expand...

They are fine to continue being handled just wash hands etc... and if you have other piggies don't let them out in the same area as can be passed on :)
 
Thank you for the advice. I can see them wriggling in the fur now (under a magnifying glass). Just don't know how my daughter spotted them and I didn't. I hold them every day and just didn't notice them. They seem fine in themselves. Would the lice make them itchy as well. I haven't really noticed them scratching or anything.
 
No they can have them for years and owners don't notice, they just live on the hair follicles eating dead skin and debris. Its only when you part the hair and see them you notice them. Just remember if you shampoo them they need to be shampooed 7 days apart to make sure you kill adults and babies. If its mites they tend to be itchy and you will notice scabs on them whereas lice just make us feel itchy :))
 
if you are unsure in urself *** they are dont hesitate takin them down the vets. Yes if they are lice * can treat it urself but I would get a diagnosis first as if they have had the parasites for a while the vet may offer you somethinf better than off the shelf products x
 
that is so true. I do feel very itchy since I found them. Thank you for all the advice.
 
Yes I do think you are right that's the vets would be the best place to visit so can get the right treatment. I have no idea about lice or mites and what they look like as luckily none of my piggies have ever suffered from them before. Thought I would post on here to try and find out what my boys might have as its better to know than sit here worrying all night. I appreciate your help.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top