Ivermectin .... Can You Give More The Next Day ?

[Jojessgaz]

don't panic ... the heading looks like I'm about to overdose my guinea pigs .... I'm not
whats happened is that I have quite possibly underdosed and wanted to give another pipette
today the following day
I have been advised ... as good advise is always given on here by the "ones in the know "... to take them the vets ... but I had already used a shop bought ivermectin and wasn't sure if the
vet could then re treat them straight away without overdosing
anyway I have decided to see how this product goes , I have used once before ... after a vets visit with the vet advising that it was fine, and the reviews for it sound great ... it sorted the mites out the first time round when I feel the vet hadn't given me enough ivermectin to administer the amount of drops she advised.. it ran out ? well its beaphar anti parasite spot on from pets at home which has 150 ug per pipette and states the dose to be guineas under 750g 1 pipette ... over 750g 2 pipettes.
I havnt had a recent weigh in for my two and was feeling a little nervous in giving 2 pipettes to the larger guinea, it seemed so much, on the last weigh in at the beginning of this year the larger ones weighed 895 and the smaller 620g I will definitely weigh them both tonight but do you think it will be ok to give who ever needs it s second pipette the day after the first one ? they are both 1yr 2mths
can I give another pipette tonight and then same again in 3 weeks to them both ?

 

[pig in the city]

Better to be safe than sorry, weigh your pigs, wait a week to 10 days, then give the correct dosage for their weight.
Alternatively if they have significant problems see your vet asap.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! Please do not use beaphar; it is not full strength and it is therefore NOT going to do the trick with an acute outbreak. All it does help to develop resistance if overused because it doesn't kill.

Please have your piggies diagnosed by a vet and then treated with a product that is really geared towards clearing up mites and not just suppressing them for a while. As you have treated on spec, you now have to wait until the next dose is due, please book a vet visit for then, so he can step in with the appropriate high dosage.

When you treat for mites, you treat fully for three rounds with a good quality product whenever there is an acute outbreak; that way, the ivermectin really does the trick with full efficiency and you are not starting a long battle that you - and more importantly your poor affected guinea pigs - cannot win. In the end, it comes cheaper to do the job properly once than mucking around indefinitely; and you have the guarantee that your piggies are free of mites after three rounds of a good product. the first two rounds are there to kill all mites, and the third is needed to kill any stragglers and make sure that there is no comeback.

There is a very good reason why we are legally bound to emphasise seeing a vet and not treating on spec.

 

[Jojessgaz]

Better to be safe than sorry, weigh your pigs, wait a week to 10 days, then give the correct dosage for their weight.
Alternatively if they have significant problems see your vet asap.

You think a 2nd pipette today... making it the correct dose over the 2 days isn't advised as I'm just thinking only 1 may not be enough to show any results and I don't want her getting worse as she doesn't seem too bad at the moment. I just haven't a clue on the effects of administering the correct dose but over 2 days. Like you say I could leave and administer the correct in their 2nd dose. Do you think 10 days then as the packet says 4weeks I assume to kill off the eggs once hatched but before they can then lay more eggs... I was going to do in 3 weeks as the vet advised this the first time round . Appreciate the advise... as you can see I'm not very decisive

 

[Wiebke]

You think a 2nd pipette today... making it the correct dose over the 2 days isn't advised as I'm just thinking only 1 may not be enough to show any results and I don't want her getting worse as she doesn't seem too bad at the moment. I just haven't a clue on the effects of administering the correct dose but over 2 days. Like you say I could leave and administer the correct in their 2nd dose. Do you think 10 days then as the packet says 4weeks I assume to kill off the eggs once hatched but before they can then lay more eggs... I was going to do in 3 weeks as the vet advised this the first time round . Appreciate the advise... as you can see I'm not very decisive

Please leave be and see the vet in 2 weeks. As you have underdosed, that should be a safe interval. He can then administer the appropriate dose for an acute outbreak. You will still need to conduct two more rounds, as this current one doesn't count.

With any parasite outbreak, please see a vet promptly and do not treat before you have your piggies seen. There is always a chance that it could be fungal (mange mites and fungal can look very similar in the early stages; much more than any textbook pictures imply). By treating on spec, you are basically destroying the crime scene and making a vet's job much more difficult. When it comes to parasites, you do a proper job, you hit'them hard and you hit'them until they are all dead, if you get my meaning. By playing by the rules, you'll get rid of them once and for all. Our recommendations are not asking for spending a lot of money just for the sake of it, but because it is the safest and most efficient way to so. This time round, please make sure that your piggies get a full three rounds course.

 

[Jojessgaz]

Please leave be and see the vet in 2 weeks. As you have underdosed, that should be a safe interval. He can then administer the appropriate dose for an acute outbreak. You will still need to conduct two more rounds, as this current one doesn't count.

With any parasite outbreak, please see a vet promptly and do not treat before you have your piggies seen. There is always a chance that it could be fungal (mange mites and fungal can look very similar in the early stages; much more than any textbook pictures imply). By treating on spec, you are basically destroying the crime scene and making a vet's job much more difficult. When it comes to parasites, you do a proper job, you hit'them hard and you hit'them until they are all dead, if you get my meaning. By playing by the rules, you'll get rid of them once and for all. Our recommendations are not asking for spending a lot of money just for the sake of it, but because it is the safest and most efficient way to so. This time round, please make sure that your piggies get a full three rounds course.

Thanks for that... I see totally where your coming from. It's very annoying that they get poorly due to what looks like their hay. You spend money getting good stuff and then just one iffy batch and they get poorly. Mad. Last time I was a bit bewildered with my vet as I got a 2 dose course and in the 2nd dose there wasnt enough drops given to administer the correct amount to both piggies so I called not really wanting to pay yet again for the sake of 2 drops short ... she advised that this beaphar should be OK but on reading your advise it was probably because it was the 2nd dose and just a top up to make sure they all died. I am now at another vet so will go and make sure I get enough for both in the first place. As I say she only gave a 2 dose course... is that the normal or can some have 3 I assume dependant on how things go. Thanks again... we try and cut costs where we can but it doesn't always pay . I'm just worried I get this cleared up and get it again ... if it's due to the hay.... how do you stop that? ?

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks for that... I see totally where your coming from. It's very annoying that they get poorly due to what looks like their hay. You spend money getting good stuff and then just one iffy batch and they get poorly. Mad. Last time I was a bit bewildered with my vet as I got a 2 dose course and in the 2nd dose there wasnt enough drops given to administer the correct amount to both piggies so I called not really wanting to pay yet again for the sake of 2 drops short ... she advised that this beaphar should be OK but on reading your advise it was probably because it was the 2nd dose and just a top up to make sure they all died. I am now at another vet so will go and make sure I get enough for both in the first place. As I say she only gave a 2 dose course... is that the normal or can some have 3 I assume dependant on how things go. Thanks again... we try and cut costs where we can but it doesn't always pay . I'm just worried I get this cleared up and get it again ... if it's due to the hay.... how do you stop that? ?

Can you please make clear whether you are dealing with mange mites or hay mites? It would also be good if you please kept to one single thread per ongoing issue, so we have got all relevant information together.
Unlike social media, we can put a watch on threads, so we get alerts on ongoing problems. But as we are jumping a lot between all kinds of issues, it helps us to refresh our memories and to make sure that we give you the best advice for your specific situation at all times. This is not possible when you start a new thread with only partial information, so we cannot check what has been said before without spending extra time in chasing up the previous threats. Unlike social media, we can give ongoing support, but we need your help with that.

PS: You can see the option "watch thread" on the right at the beginning of this thread. click on it receive any alerts of further posts.

My own vet (a guinea pig specialist) treated hay mites with stronghold (selamectin), again for three rounds.

 

[Jojessgaz]

Sorry I may have confused the whole thread. This is a new outbreak. The previous I talk about regards the vet was about 8mths or so ago. Where they were lice ...is that the same as mites? I haven't been very clear in this thread at all so I will call my vet and see when it's good to go in . Like you say straight away and there is little they can give now

 

[Wiebke]

Sorry I may have confused the whole thread. This is a new outbreak. The previous I talk about regards the vet was about 8mths or so ago. Where they were lice ...is that the same as mites? I haven't been very clear in this thread at all so I will call my vet and see when it's good to go in . Like you say straight away and there is little they can give now

There is nothing the vet can do immediately, as you have already given ivermectin. Any targeted parasite treatment has to wait until that has been worked out of the body. You have to now wait 1-2 weeks before a vet can do anything for your piggies. Please book them in for next Monday; but you have to mention that you have treated yesterday with a a rather low dose of beaphar, so your vet can take that into consideration.

The 4 weekly recommended dosage of beaphar is a relatively low dose to keep mange mites suppressed, but it is not geared towards curing mites.
The problem with beaphar is that the immune system in healthy, well kept guinea pigs is perfectly able to keep any mange mite eggs (trixacarus caviae) in the skin under control already. You only get an acute outbreak if the immune system is lowered from illness or stress unless the mites are carried in otherwise, so they do not really need a suppressant that can allow the eggs to develop immunity to ivermectin.
Hay mites (chirodiscoides caviae) are usually carried in by hay; they are far less harmful as their egg cases are fixed to hairs and the mites live mainly on debris on the hairs. That is most likely why your vet has thought it sufficient to treat with beaphar - but they have come back now, haven't they? So beaphar is obviously not enough.

Skin parasites and fungal infections in furry pets are a fact of life. The best protection is good care and a very good balanced hay based diet, so your piggies' immune system is as strong as possible and can contribute towards beating off and suppressing any parasites. Hay mite cases have become more frequent in very recent years, and they have become more difficult to get rid of. If yours have hay mites, then ask your vet whether he would consider using stronghold instead of an ivermectin product. If you are dealing with mange mites (no visible egg cases), then ivermectin is still the most effective.

 

[Jojessgaz]

There is nothing the vet can do immediately, as you have already given ivermectin. Any targeted parasite treatment has to wait until that has been worked out of the body. You have to now wait 1-2 weeks before a vet can do anything for your piggies. Please book them in for next Monday; but you have to mention that you have treated yesterday with a a rather low dose of beaphar, so your vet can take that into consideration.

The 4 weekly recommended dosage of beaphar is a relatively low dose to keep mange mites suppressed, but it is not geared towards curing mites.
The problem with beaphar is that the immune system in healthy, well kept guinea pigs is perfectly able to keep any mange mite eggs (trixacarus caviae) in the skin under control already. You only get an acute outbreak if the immune system is lowered from illness or stress unless the mites are carried in otherwise, so they do not really need a suppressant that can allow the eggs to develop immunity to ivermectin.
Hay mites (chirodiscoides caviae) are usually carried in by hay; they are far less harmful as their egg cases are fixed to hairs and the mites live mainly on debris on the hairs. That is most likely why your vet has thought it sufficient to treat with beaphar - but they have come back now, haven't they? So beaphar is obviously not enough.

Skin parasites and fungal infections in furry pets are a fact of life. The best protection is good care and a very good balanced hay based diet, so your piggies' immune system is as strong as possible and can contribute towards beating off and suppressing any parasites. Hay mite cases have become more frequent in very recent years, and they have become more difficult to get rid of. If yours have hay mites, then ask your vet whether he would consider using stronghold instead of an ivermectin product. If you are dealing with mange mites (no visible egg cases), then ivermectin is still the most effective.

OK I will book for next week. The guinea that's showing signs has little black or dark spots on her fur close to her skin that I can pick off. As far as I can see they don't move so poss eggs. But I will definitely get the vet to diagnose and not me. The previous case was due to the hay and was cleared but I would say another batch of bad hay? Anyway thank you for your help.

 

[Wiebke]

OK I will book for next week. The guinea that's showing signs has little black or dark spots on her fur close to her skin that I can pick off. As far as I can see they don't move so poss eggs. But I will definitely get the vet to diagnose and not me. The previous case was due to the hay and was cleared but I would say another batch of bad hay? Anyway thank you for your help.

It can be a new batch of bad hay or a return, but it sounds like hay mites. You may want to switch to another hay provider. Please leave some egg cases to allow your vet to diagnose and treat appropriately.

 

[Jojessgaz]

When you say leave some egg cases... shall I save on a tissue incase they cannot be seen next week. Or were you referring to combing them off the piggies. . Which I wasn't going to touch as didn't want to stress them. Unfortunately I have 3 different types of hay. So looks like I will never know which it was. Does freezing the hay first help? I read somewhere but wondered for how long ...I know you can never be certain but anything to reduce the risk

 

[Wiebke]

Just save some eggs for the vet to see so they can diagnose.

You can try feezing your hay, or just feed one of the brands you use for 2-4 weeks (and none of the others) to find the culprit if it is a recurring problem. Your piggies won't suffer if they are that bit less pampered for a few weeks!

 

[pig in the city]

You think a 2nd pipette today... making it the correct dose over the 2 days isn't advised as I'm just thinking only 1 may not be enough to show any results and I don't want her getting worse as she doesn't seem too bad at the moment. I just haven't a clue on the effects of administering the correct dose but over 2 days. Like you say I could leave and administer the correct in their 2nd dose. Do you think 10 days then as the packet says 4weeks I assume to kill off the eggs once hatched but before they can then lay more eggs... I was going to do in 3 weeks as the vet advised this the first time round . Appreciate the advise... as you can see I'm not very decisive

I think follow Wiebke's advice ...

 

[Jojessgaz]

I think follow Wiebke's advice ...

Thank you for your help too . I will