Ivermectin + Gorgeous Guineas Lice 'n' Easy

[Dilly's Piggies]

My guinea pigs were diagnosed with mites or lice at the vets on Wednesday, the vet couldn't tell exactly which but they definitely have one, or both. They've been prescribed topical Ivermectin for the next 3-4 weeks. However, I've been looking closely into their fur and I can 100% say they have quite a big infestation of lice, it has been 48 hours since the medication was given and the majority of the lice are dead, but there are still a few alive and lots of eggs. I've been reading online and some people say that Ivermectin isn't always 100% effective at killing lice, so I've been looking at buying some Lice N Easy shampoo from gorgeous guineas to directly tackle the lice problem, I think using it in conjunction with Ivermectin is a good idea to kill the parasites and make my piggies feel comfortable quicker.

I am looking to treat with Ivermectin, wait 3 days, bathe with the shampoo, and repeat the next week until the Ivermectin course is finished, then a final bath with the shampoo. Does this sound like a good plan? I've heard lots of good reviews about this shampoo and I'd like to try it, I just feel terrible that I allowed this to happen to my babies.

 

[eileen]

ive used this shampoo as a preventative measure and it left the skin and hair very soft.they did not have lice,but i shampoo my cavies twice a year.I hope you eradicate the nasties quickly and your cavies are more comfortable soon.

 

[Dilly's Piggies]

ive used this shampoo as a preventative measure and it left the skin and hair very soft.they did not have lice,but i shampoo my cavies twice a year.I hope you eradicate the nasties quickly and your cavies are more comfortable soon.

I've never had a lice infestation before (it happened when I brought a new piggy home, they spread to my herd and now all 10 including two 4 week old babies have them) so I'm a bit clueless on how to manage it etc. I've thoroughly cleaned and disinfected their living area and bedding already, they've been given their treatment, but there are lots of dead lice in their fur already just after 48 hours, they still have another 3 weeks of the treatment to go, so it's no where near finished and done with, but I thought using this shampoo as well as the ivermectin would be a good idea. I feel like my pigs would really love and benefit from a good bath to get rid of the nasties quicker, I'm not sure. So you can also use this shampoo as a preventative also? It really does sound like I should get some of this, it sounds fab.

 

[7squeakers.]

I find it slightly odd that your Vet could not tell whether your piggie had mites or lice. Did he not look at them under a microscope? Did he take a skin scraping? Mites live under the skin and can cause bad itching. Only a skin scraping will identify them.
I would finish the Ivermectin course first and then use the shampoo to kill external parasites. A lot of piggies, including mine, have Static lice, or Hay Mites. They are completely harmless.

 

[Dilly's Piggies]

I find it slightly odd that your Vet could not tell whether your piggie had mites or lice. Did he not look at them under a microscope? Did he take a skin scraping? Mites live under the skin and can cause bad itching. Only a skin scraping will identify them.
I would finish the Ivermectin course first and then use the shampoo to kill external parasites. A lot of piggies, including mine, have Static lice, or Hay Mites. They are completely harmless.

He used a comb and went through the fur, saw something move, and pulled some hair out from one of their backs and he said there was definitely something there, but the microscope was in the other room and he said by the time he gets the sample there, it would be on the floor, that's why he didn't know for sure which it was. He said usually vets just treat for mites right away without bothering with skin scrapings, as it's obvious there is something wrong with mine and it is causing serious scratching.

 

[7squeakers.]

Serious scratching is usually caused by internal mites living under the skin, like mange mites. A topical treatment given orally like Ivermectin or a treatment syringed into the skin will kill the mites.

 

[Kerrie74]

Hmm as far as I'm aware a lot of vets do a "tape test" so the lice/mite couldn't escape then...

 

[Dilly's Piggies]

Serious scratching is usually caused by internal mites living under the skin, like mange mites. A topical treatment given orally like Ivermectin or a treatment syringed into the skin will kill the mites.

I know, they're already on that... But they also have lice, which is why I'm asking about the shampoo to use as well to wash out the dead lice.

 

[Dilly's Piggies]

Hmm as far as I'm aware a lot of vets do a "tape test" so the lice/mite couldn't escape then...

I was expecting him to look under the scope, but he just seemed very positive there's no point and to just prescribe the treatment right away.

 

[Kerrie74]

I find that no matter what types of crawly they have the vets we've seen will prescribe Invermectin, I've also used the gorgeous guinea stuff which is pretty good (obviously 48 hours after the Invermectin).

I hope you manage to get the mite/lice issue under control

 

[7squeakers.]

Hmm as far as I'm aware a lot of vets do a "tape test" so the lice/mite couldn't escape then...

Yes, that's what I was thinking, too. They stick them to a piece of sellotape, or something similar, and squash it between two slides. They don't walk about with the mite squeezed between their fingers!

 

[Kerrie74]

Lol @7squeakers.

 

[Dilly's Piggies]

Yes, that's what I was thinking, too. They stick them to a piece of sellotape, or something similar, and squash it between two slides. They don't walk about with the mite squeezed between their fingers!

Haha! Well, I don't know, I can only speak from what happened!

 

[7squeakers.]

Haha! Well, I don't know, I can only speak from what happened!

Never mind, eh? At least your piggies are getting treated and hopefully will be bug-free soon!

 

[Dilly's Piggies]

I find that no matter what types of crawly they have the vets we've seen will prescribe Invermectin, I've also used the gorgeous guinea stuff which is pretty good (obviously 48 hours after the Invermectin).

I hope you manage to get the mite/lice issue under control

Okay, so I'm alright to go ahead and buy the shampoo too then? I know to wait 2 days at least before shampooing after the ivermectin is applied. Thank you for your help!

 

[Kerrie74]

Yeah remember to test it on the skin behind their ears before using it

 

[Guinea pig slave]

Contact Chrissy at Gorgeous Guineas for advice - you can email her She can help with any skin issues you are worried about and has been extremely helpful with any worries I have had with piggies skin
Shampoos are fine for the little unwanted visitors we can see but please be cautious about using too many products.