Lice/Mites/Fleas?

[Gemma McD]

This may well be nothing, but just wondered do piggies get fleas and if they have lice or mites do they bite/irritate if in contact with human skin?

Reason I ask is because I had noticed that after cuddling my piggies if they were by my neck then the following morning I would have an itchy, bumpy rash. As I also had a new moisturiser I wasn't sure the piggies were the cause! Unfortunately I now know they are as last night they were both up the sleeve of my dressing gown and I now have a rash on that arm.

Of course it may not be there fault, I could have an allergy although I'm not allergic to pets and not had problems before. This is why I wanted to ensure it's nothing to do with them healthwise. So numerous questions herte!
Can piggies have fleas?
If a piggie has lice or mites are they known to irritate humans on contact?

Thanks
Gemma, Ginny and Saffy

 

[youthnovels]

Could it be that that particular area of you is overly sensitive and gives you an allergic reaction?

(Sorry in work on a quick break so couldn't do a longer post just didn't want to read and run!) x

 

[Suzygpr]

Piggies can't catch fleas - occasionally they may pick up a hitchiker but it will be from a cat, dog, rabbit, etc but it won't be able to live on them.

I find that I react when I handle a pig with mites/lice as so many that come into the rescue are infested. They can't live on us but they will have a nibble to try to feed.

If you have not treated your pigs for parasites then I suggest you do - if they are making you itch that much imagine how your pigs feel. There are a variety of treatments available, from spot on (Xeno 450 is the better type) to shampoos (I use Johnson insecticdal shampoo, lots of differing opinions on this but I have had no issues with it) to injections (though they do not kill lice as they are surface feeders). I don't find the sprays, powders or GG type products that effective - but do remember I am treating rescue pigs that have had little or no care.

Once you have treated and find that you still react it may be that you have developed a sensitivity to your piggies - rex coated pigs are more likely to cause a reaction than other coat types.

HTH

Suzy x

 

[Gemma McD]

Piggies can't catch fleas - occasionally they may pick up a hitchiker but it will be from a cat, dog, rabbit, etc but it won't be able to live on them.

I find that I react when I handle a pig with mites/lice as so many that come into the rescue are infested. They can't live on us but they will have a nibble to try to feed.

If you have not treated your pigs for parasites then I suggest you do - if they are making you itch that much imagine how your pigs feel. There are a variety of treatments available, from spot on (Xeno 450 is the better type) to shampoos (I use Johnson insecticdal shampoo, lots of differing opinions on this but I have had no issues with it) to injections (though they do not kill lice as they are surface feeders). I don't find the sprays, powders or GG type products that effective - but do remember I am treating rescue pigs that have had little or no care.

Once you have treated and find that you still react it may be that you have developed a sensitivity to your piggies - rex coated pigs are more likely to cause a reaction than other coat types.

HTH

Suzy x

That's very helpful thank you!

I'm assuming it's them as I have no pet allergies and never had a reaction to any furred or haired animal I've been in contact with.
Although my girls didn't come from a rescue they had been neglected by their previous owner. Claws had never been trimmed and were so overgrown that left any longer they would have grown inwards, hardly handled and I don't think they were given veg. So I would not be surprised if they have lodgers, hence why I thought I'd ask before blaming them |)
I will get something to treat them as it does sound very likely given you've had skin reactions with infested piggies. Wish I'd thought of this sooner, rather than initially blaming my moisturiser, my poor girls

 

[Suzygpr]

As all good Rescues treat for mites as part of the quarantine when they first arrive, rescue pigs that are up for adoption are about the healthiest you can get. It's pigs from a non-Rescue source that seem to bring lots of problems with them - mites would be the least of your worries compared to some of the stories on the forum.

Suzy x

 

[Poppy'sMum]

Strangely my Rex used to provoke the same reaction on my neck when she used to snuggle up. She didn't have mites/lice etc, & I even asked the doctor once when I went for something else, & he said it was eczema caused by having my piggy near the sensitive skin for a prolonged time. Easily treated with hydro cortisone cream (me not the piggy lol)

 

[Gemma McD]

Hmmm, I don't tend to have sensitive skin, although it does get dry, itchy and sore if I don't use an emollient cream everyday! Mind you my son does get eczema so it's possible that has come from me, but it's not too noticeable in me.

I will try treating them for lice/mites just to make sure and if I still get a reaction I'll use some of my son's hydrocortisone cream |) They atren't long haired piggies although Ginny's coat is longer than Saffy's and she has longer hair over her bottom (until I snipped it off) so she may be a long hair cross I guess.

Will try all suggestions and see what helps! Bless them they love to snuggle up my neck so I just put up with being a bit itchy. If it is a reaction, maybe my skin will just get used to it eventually, will have to as I have no intentions of not snuggling my gorgeous girls xx>>>

 

[Gemma McD]

Well I treated the girls today with beaphar spot on, poor things look very bedraggled now Couldn't get the shampoo locally and currently not allowed to drive due to collapsing recently, so today I ordered some Johnsons insecticidal shampoo from UK pet supplies. That way if the spot on doesn't clear I can shampoo them. They had been scratching a lot, so lice/mites do seem likely, poor girls

 

[Gemma McD]

Does anyone know how soon after using beaphar spot on, the lice/mites will die off? Piggies still scratching this morning! Also, how effective is this stuff? Is it likely they could need a different treatment? Have ordered some insecticidal shampoo so can use that if the spot on doesn't do the trick. How soon after using spot on can I use the shampoo? Don't want to use too many chemicals on them at once!

 

[Poppy'sMum]

Does anyone know how soon after using beaphar spot on, the lice/mites will die off? Piggies still scratching this morning! Also, how effective is this stuff? Is it likely they could need a different treatment? Have ordered some insecticidal shampoo so can use that if the spot on doesn't do the trick. How soon after using spot on can I use the shampoo? Don't want to use too many chemicals on them at once!

Not sure about how effective it is, have never used it rolleyes

I do know that you should wait 48 hours after any treatment before bathing them though. I always used Flea or Die shampoo, every 6-8 weeks & mine never got any static/running lice after that

 

[Suzygpr]

The Beaphar product is ok for lice but I've never found it effective against mites, it's just not up to the job it seems. I've had so many pigs arrive with skin problems and the owners say 'Oh but I treated them for mites it can't be that!' and the product they've used is the Beaphar one. That's why the only one I recommend, that you can get over the counter or online, is the Xeno 450 or Xeno 50 for smaller piggies.

You should wait 48 hrs before bathing after a spot on treatment.

Suzy x

 

[Gemma McD]

The Beaphar product is ok for lice but I've never found it effective against mites, it's just not up to the job it seems. I've had so many pigs arrive with skin problems and the owners say 'Oh but I treated them for mites it can't be that!' and the product they've used is the Beaphar one. That's why the only one I recommend, that you can get over the counter or online, is the Xeno 450 or Xeno 50 for smaller piggies.

You should wait 48 hrs before bathing after a spot on treatment.

Suzy x

We don't have a pet shop where I live so just had to grab what they sell in Wilko's! The disadvantages of being told no driving til you stop collapsing and knocking yourserlf out |)

Ordered some of the Johnsons insecticidal shampoo you recommended so should get that delivered in the next couple of days and can get them treated again

 

[Wiebke]

A rash on your neck where guinea pigs have touched your skin is rather indicative of a developing allergy problem.

Mites can only effectively be treated with an ivermectin product. Xeno 450 (or 50 for young guinea pig under 800g) is available over the internet. Johnson's insecticidal shampoo won't work on mites.