Itchy Pigs

[Cara2103]

I adopted two guinea pigs about a month ago and was told they'd been treated for mites but they are really scratching at the minute. Can I just buy mite treatment without going to the vets? And do they get fleas too? I'm sure she said they'd been treated with advantage.

Thanks

 

[helen105281]

I would always go to the vets just so you get the appropriate treatment. Do you know how many doses they had? As far as I am aware they don't get fleas but they can get different types of lice and mites. Mange mites are under the skin but you can sometimes see black specks on the hair which are skin debris. Eventually a v shape may appear in the hair. Hay mites and lice can be seen on the hair.

The vet would also need to rule out fungal.

Also what are they bedded on as that can sometimes make them itch?

 

[Cara2103]

Thank you. I'll get them booked in at the vets
They are on fleece bedding.

 

[helen105281]

Fleece shouldn't be making them itch then, good luck at the vets.

 

[VickiA]

with @helen105281 that the best thing to do is to let the vet check them over, diagnose the problem and give you vet strength treatment. The OTC stuff is nowhere near as potent as the stuff the vets use, and you could risk making things worse if you treat for eg mites and it is something else. Good luck at the vets.

 

[Annabellam]

Hope you get a remedy at the vets. Keep us updated.