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Itchy pig- advice please

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flips

flips

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I noticed that Flumpet was itchy earlier- turning to bite at/ scratch her back and back/ front legs. This went on for about 20 minutes. I haven't changed the bedding I use- megazorb and hay- still using up the bags I've been on for a few weeks.
I got her out to check her over. I can't see any obvious damaged skin or dry patches. She doesn't like her body being stroked anyway so difficult to tell if she was any more sensitive than usual.
I checked Delilah over as well. She hasn't been itching particularly but I did notice that she has very slightly white/ dry patches on the back of her ears.
They're both back in the cage now and seem quite happy. No major scratching going on.
Any thoughts?
 
Could be the beginnings of mites, dry skin or fungus.

My bet is that it is either dry skin or mites.
 
It could / may be fleas. Or it could just be they are itchy, every time you scratch yourself it dosn't mean you have fleas (well I hope not!)
\just watch them make sure there is no more significant episodes of scratching.
If you want to be totaly sure you could use spot on flea treatment which works very well.
Just watch them make sure they are ok, keep an eye on the there are no little scabs or dandruff (first signs of a fungal infection)
Giving them a bath with special guinea shampoos might help especially with dry skin, this is proberbly the best place for shampoos and the one many forum users use:
http://www.gorgeousguineas.com/index.html
Hope this helps:)
 
Wiebke said:
For mites, you want to treat properly with ivermectin; don't go for powders!
http://www.guinealynx.info/mites.html
Click to expand...


Thanks for this link. I had no idea that mites could lay dormant. I'm going to keep a close eye on them tonight and the next few days for any changes. First sign of any skin irritation or if the scratching continues then we're off to the vets. I think I'll give the cage an extra clean tomorrow as well. I dusted in here today (an all too rare occurence) and am wondering if that might have set them off.
I think I'll have to face up to nail clipping too after their close examination today.
Thanks for the help. I'll be back if I have more questions...
 
4Pigs said:
It could / may be fleas. Or it could just be they are itchy, every time you scratch yourself it dosn't mean you have fleas (well I hope not!)
\just watch them make sure there is no more significant episodes of scratching.
If you want to be totaly sure you could use spot on flea treatment which works very well.
Just watch them make sure they are ok, keep an eye on the there are no little scabs or dandruff (first signs of a fungal infection)
Giving them a bath with special guinea shampoos might help especially with dry skin, this is proberbly the best place for shampoos and the one many forum users use:
http://www.gorgeousguineas.com/index.html
Hope this helps:)
Click to expand...


Thanks for this. I hadn't considered bathing the girls before now as they're just under 12 weeks old. Will definitely have a good look at their products tomorrow- they look fab.
 
My little Hoggle was doing this the other day and was making noises as if he was uncomfortable with it so I put some spot on treatment on him and Ludo just in case, think it may be ok now. :)

It did happen quite a few months back, I was assuming he got mites from his hay.
 
Hoggle*&*Ludo said:
My little Hoggle was doing this the other day and was making noises as if he was uncomfortable with it so I put some spot on treatment on him and Ludo just in case, think it may be ok now. :)

It did happen quite a few months back, I was assuming he got mites from his hay.
Click to expand...


Thanks. I had wondered about hay mites. Are they different from mange mites?
I have got some Bob Martin my little friend spot on treatment here. I bought it when I first got them because of itching but was too scared to use it as they were so young. They stopped scratching after 2 days and I put it down to a change in environment.
Has anyone else used this product? Am a bit loathe to use it since a read up on Bob Martin stuff on the net. Also. the pack doesn't actually say what the chemicals are.
 
flips said:
Thanks. I had wondered about hay mites. Are they different from mange mites?
I have got some Bob Martin my little friend spot on treatment here. I bought it when I first got them because of itching but was too scared to use it as they were so young. They stopped scratching after 2 days and I put it down to a change in environment.
Has anyone else used this product? Am a bit loathe to use it since a read up on Bob Martin stuff on the net. Also. the pack doesn't actually say what the chemicals are.
Click to expand...

I personally would never use any Bob Martin products - it's linked to epilsepsy in cats so god knows what's in it.
It cheap because it's rubbish ;)
 
hanna101 said:
I personally would never use any Bob Martin products - it's linked to epilsepsy in cats so god knows what's in it.
It cheap because it's rubbish ;)
Click to expand...


Yes, I had pretty much decided to put it down to experience and throw it in the bin.
Thanks.
 
Didn't think I should make another thread so will write here.

Last night when I had laptime with Bea when I lifted her up off the towel I noticed a little beige bug. Thought it could be a hay might so went to the pet shop to get some treatment.

Has anyone used Beaphar's Anti-Parasite Spot On for rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets and rats before? It contains ivermectin, so I thought it might be good.

Please advice, cuz I wanna treat them asap but don't want to if it turns out its worse than Bob Martin products!
 
Cozmo said:
Didn't think I should make another thread so will write here.

Last night when I had laptime with Bea when I lifted her up off the towel I noticed a little beige bug. Thought it could be a hay might so went to the pet shop to get some treatment.

Has anyone used Beaphar's Anti-Parasite Spot On for rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets and rats before? It contains ivermectin, so I thought it might be good.

Please advice, cuz I wanna treat them asap but don't want to if it turns out its worse than Bob Martin products!
Click to expand...

It may be an idea to start another thread and ask?! :) More people might see it!
 
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