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Mange mites?

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Smoo

Smoo

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I need some experienced advice. My boy Frank has been scratching recently and I've tried to see if he's got lice as he's had them once before but now I'm thinking it may be mange? I can't see anything on the skin apart from where he's gone slightly balder around the ears (he's an Aby) but on his neck he's got a patch where the hair has broken off halfway down the shaft. Also he's a bit "scabby" on parts of his skin at the base of the hair shaft.

I'm looking to order ivermectin online today (xeno 450 spot on) would this be the best bet? His cage mate seems fine, a little scratchy as well but his fur looks in really good condition. Should I treat him as we'll just to be on the safe side?
I've taken a couple of pictures, sorry about the quality but the lighter patch on his neck is where the hair has broken off...





 
I am really not great with skin, but will point Helen to this thread. She is knowledgable in skin conditions. Hope you can get Frank sorted soon x
 
There are many types of mites and they are all treated differently so it is best to have ever determine which ones they are.
 
Thanks Sport Billy.

I would say that the patch on his neck does look like mange mites but I think you should go to the vets for a proper diagnosis, treatment would be with Ivermectin but ask for it as an injection rather than Spot on as this is not as effective and I have seen cases where pigs have had a reaction to spot on. Ivermectin can also be given orally by the vet. The vet may go to use spot on but should agree to injections if you ask, my local vet did. It is also best to get both pigs treated at the same time as they live together.

As for his ears I would say it looks more like fungal but it is difficult to tell from a photo. My late Nigel used to get fungal on his ears and it looked like a tidemark, we treated this with a diluted solution of Imaverol daily. It is possible for pigs to get both mites and fungal at the same time as their immune systems are compromised. I could be wrong on the fungal though, and by fungal I don't mean ringworm, pigs can also get fungal from an overload of candida in their gut too.
 
Thanks everyone. I actually ordered some Xeno 450 yesterday so hopefully it should be here tomorrow so I can treat them both. Ill be keeping a close eye on them and cleaning and disinfecting their hutch so if it doesn't get any better ill nip him to the vets. Ill keep you posted... It's been a tough year so far what with moving suddenly and going from being pampered indoor pigs to having to make do with being outside for the time being :(
 
Did the vet suggest that? If it is hay mites or running lice that will not get rid of it.
 
No I just ordered it so it would be here quickly so I can get him treated quicker, as I say he's had hay mites before and I could see them on his fur which I can't see this time, but I still have some lice and easy shampoo from gorgeous guineas so if its not mange then I can treat him for that too (obviously a little while after treating with ivermectin) I was under the impression that the spot on kills all mites and lice though?
 
If it's running lice or mites you would need to shampoo aswell as the Ivermectin, I use Lyclear Creme rinse and bath at least 48 hours after giving Ivermectin which mine have either orally or at the vets by injection. In fact I would recommend shampooing whichever type of mites it is.
 
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