Lice?

[cookieandsprinkles]

So I got the boys home last Thursday from my friend who's piggie had an unexpected pregnancy. The boys haven't been outside or in contact (even secondary) with any other pigs since I got them. They came straight from being with their mum and sisters. I just put them out on a mat for some floor time and noticed sprinkles is crawling with tiny white insects about 1mm long.

Any ideas on what this is and how to treat? i am sure if Cookie would let me near him he would be the same as I noticed him itching yesterday.


Meg xx

 

[kidspiggies4]

Sounds like lice. Theres suff you can get called "lice n easy" and they will both need a bath.

 

[Wiebke]

It sounds like they could have running lice. Because your boys are so young, I would either have them seen by a good vet or talk to Chrissie at gorgeous guineas about the appropriate treatment.
http://www.guinealynx.info/lice.html
http://gorgeousguineas.com/parasitic.html

 

[cookieandsprinkles]

Thanks Wiebke, my friend who I got the piggies off of is coming to take them to the vet first thing and is going to pay for their treatment. I will keep posted but I think you are right, I was over at gorgeousguineas and noticed they sound like running lice. Is it ok to still hold them if they have lice?

 

[Jerrybelly]

Thanks Wiebke, my friend who I got the piggies off of is coming to take them to the vet first thing and is going to pay for their treatment. I will keep posted but I think you are right, I was over at gorgeousguineas and noticed they sound like running lice. Is it ok to still hold them if they have lice?

It's fine to hold them as running lice can only live on piggies, and not on us. But be mindful that they can pass between piggies via our clothes. If you hold a piggy with lice, and then one that doesn't straight after, then there there is chance that they will spread.

 

[Rodentopia]

Yes sounds like lice, I agree as they are so young your best asking Chrissie at GG or seeing a vet to be sure. Can't recommend GG enough my vets happy for me to use GG stuff too Yes its fine to hold them, just be careful about touching other piggies after so not to spread them. Hopefully they will be lice free very soon

 

[cookieandsprinkles]

I am guessing since they both live together that they will both have them by now anyway? I am going to the vet with them tomorrow just because they are so young, I'd like to have them checked over.

 

[Jerrybelly]

I am guessing since they both live together that they will both have them by now anyway? I am going to the vet with them tomorrow just because they are so young, I'd like to have them checked over.

You're absolutely right to take them both to the vet to be checked Hopefully it'll be easily sorted and they'll be lice-free in no time!

 

[Wiebke]

You always need to treat all piggies living together when you get skin parasites or fungal problems to prevent them from spreading and re-infecting.