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Mange mites - what to expect

A

Alice S

New Born Pup
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Hi, I've had a read through the illness and parasite info but I still have questions prior to going to the vet tomorrow. I recently lost one of my girls and took my other pig (Audrey) to a rescue to find a new friend. She is now bonded but since returning home I think she has developed mange mites as she has most of the symptoms and no evidence of external parasites. I will be taking her to the vets tomorrow to get it confirmed but I was hoping someone could let me know what to expect if it is confirmed. What sort of cost would it be to diagnose and treat, I'm in the UK? My new pig, Rita, does not seem to have any symptoms, but should I get her treated anyway? Is there a chance if I don't get Rita treated they could just pass the mites back and forth until they both get them at the same time? What do I need to do with their cage? I use fleece liners, plastic hay box and wooden tunels and hammocks. Does it all need throwing out or just washing as normal /wiping down the plastic and wood? Sorry to be asking in advance of diagnosis but I prefer to be ready and know what to expect and then I can know what to speak to the vet about. Thanks in advance for any help 🙂
 
I’m sorry to hear this.

Mites are treated with vet strength ivermectin. It is done as part of a course of treatment dosed for weight. It usually three separate treatments with two weeks between each treatment, but it is product specific and severe cases may need more than three treatments.
xeno450 (the treatment usually prescribed for adult piggies) has been having supply issues but I’m not sure whether things are returning to normal yet

We recommend you disinfect anything you can with F10 (plastic trays etc). It is a vet grade disinfectant and you can get it from Amazon (you are looking for F10SC. F10SCxd is also fine but it contains a cleaner as well as disinfectant). I buy the concentrate (rather than the ready made) and it lasts for absolutely ages.
You can soak wooden items in a bucket with made up F10 solution and let them dry.
Throw away the hay.
Wash bedding as normal

Take them both to the vet together. Your vet will probably suggest they are both treated. Mange mites are usually kept in check by the immune system but any time of stress can allow them to take hold - bonding being a stressful time.

Cost wise - it’s difficult to say as vets all have different charging structures.

I’ve added our guide below

New Guinea Pig Problems: Sexing & Pregnancy; URI, Ringworm & Parasites; Vet Checks & Customer Rights
 
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