Ivermectin

[Abytude]

Morning lovely people

I thought I had researched just about everything I needed to know but this subject has thrown me....
Do we need to be giving Ivermectin regularly? I know the medication is good for mites and lice but I have just read another poster saying GPS need to be wormed regularly (not under 6mo of age).

Do any of you do this as a matter of course? Also do they (the parasites) not become immune to the meds?

Thanks xx

 

[Wiebke]

Morning lovely people

I thought I had researched just about everything I needed to know but this subject has thrown me....
Do we need to be giving Ivermectin regularly? I know the medication is good for mites and lice but I have just read another poster saying GPS need to be wormed regularly (not under 6mo of age).

Do any of you do this as a matter of course? Also do they (the parasites) not become immune to the meds?

Thanks xx

Hi! We do not recommend to treat regularly with ivermectin for exactly that reason (developing resistance). Most guinea pigs have mite eggs in their skin. These are normally kept under control by a fully functional immune system. Ivermectin cannot kill them, but they can develop resistance for a regular low dose. It is much better to treat with a full good quality course of ivermectin when you deal with an acute outbreak.
Regular treatment is only indicated with guinea pigs with a lowered immune system that cannot beat off their mange mites or other parasites, and only on recommendation from your treating vet.

Guinea pigs do not need regular worming. Out of the over 1000 health inquiries we see pass through our Health and Illness section, only about 1-2 cases each year are ever prescribed wormer for persistent digestive problems by a vet. In all the years on here, I have seen only about a couple of cases where worms were actually found.

 

[Abytude]

Thanks so much Wiebke that's reassuring to know.

 

[Janice C]

Hi! We do not recommend to treat regularly with ivermectin for exactly that reason (developing resistance). Most guinea pigs have mite eggs in their skin. These are normally kept under control by a fully functional immune system. Ivermectin cannot kill them, but they can develop resistance for a regular low dose. It is much better to treat with a full good quality course of ivermectin when you deal with an acute outbreak.
Regular treatment is only indicated with guinea pigs with a lowered immune system that cannot beat off their mange mites or other parasites, and only on recommendation from your treating vet.

Guinea pigs do not need regular worming. Out of the over 1000 health inquiries we see pass through our Health and Illness section, only about 1-2 cases each year are ever prescribed wormer for persistent digestive problems by a vet. In all the years on here, I have seen only about a couple of cases where worms were actually found.

Thank you! I’d wondered about Ivermectin too as gave it a few months back after being at the. Vets and she’d said piggy had some dandruff and did I treat for mites? Had 10 pigs at the time so an anxious time even though I’d not seen any itching or scratching! Treated them all anyway As didn’t want to look like an uncaring owner!