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ivermectin question

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kittyla

kittyla

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Hi, I've received some conflicting advice about how often to give ivermectin & I'd appreciate some opinions on this.
When I got my first pigs 4 years ago I was recommended to bring them in
every 6 mths (the lady I got them from is very guinea savvy) for a checkup, nail trim & ivermectin (oral drops)
I've just got 2 new piggies from a rescue, they are healthy but my other
girl has started scratching & got a few small scabby patches. My immediate thought was to take all 3 pigs for some Ivermectin drops, but the rescue is strongly against me doing this to the pigs that dont have symptoms, she feels Ivermectin in a strong medicine & should only be given when needed & preferably by a vet. Does anyone else use it regularly as a preventative thing? I'm just not sure what's the right thing to do now.
:{
 
I use it as a preventative - about every 3 months. When a pig comes in and it is obviously has a mite infestation I shampoo them in insecticidal shampoo for small animals - Johnsons. This is to relieve their itching and get them clean asap. 3 days later I treat with ivermectin - though I use it as a spot on, not oral. Once the mites/lice are dealt with I can see if there's anything fungal going on.

HTH

Suzy
 
Ivermectin is safe to use on Guinea pigs, showing symptoms or not. Its just a similiar type of drug to flea spot ons like Fronline or stronghold. Its really personal opinion as weather you use it as a preventative treatment. If you are worried about dosaging then a vet is really the best place to get the treatment done or from.

Hope this helps
x.
 
hmm, thanks, I'll think on it then. I must say the vet didnt bat an eyelid when I said I
was taking them to my friend for their ivermectin. Praps I will ask him what he thinks
about it next time I'm there. I'm a little concerned that if Crystal may have mites,
she could pass them to the other 2, so on this occasion it may be best to get them
done.
 
I have a Rescue here and use Ivermectin on a regular basis as a spot on preventative and treatment - together with Gorgeous Guineas shampoos.

I have no problem or concerns using Ivermectin at all apart from on pregnant/lactating sows or very young piggies.

H.
xx
 
I treat preventatively, once every 3 months. There are strong opinions both ways on it, personally I explain what I do and why and let others decide for themselves!
 
thanks everyone v. usefull.............can any one tell me where guinea pigs get their mites from?
 
Hay is one of the most common 'sources' of mites, bedding can be too. Some people believe mites can lay dormant on the guinea and only start causing problems when the guinea is experiencing stress or is ill, but there's always the question of how they got there in the first place.
 
The 'walking dandruff' mites which you tend to see dont live on the guinea pig laying dormant. However, skin mites like Dermodex and Sarcopic mange do, they are passed on through mother to child. They do tend to only multiply when the piggie is sick.

x.
 
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