Mites or lice

[Mariana Dias]

Hello everyone, i have a question about my little piggies, I'm taking them to the vet soon as ive noticed them itching a little more than usual and also little black specks on their fur (they don’t move) this morning when i was spot cleaning them i also saw a little fly like bug on top of one of their hides (they are housed indoors) ive not seen any more so don’t know if it was just a coincidence.
I use aubiose as their bedding and use hay from Timothyhay.com. They get full cleaned once weekly and spot cleaning daily.

My question is, do guinea pig mites or lice or any other bug they may have, can they ruin my apartment (infestation) as I’m in a rental that allowed my piggies but I’m scared of infestation and the landlord not being happy

Thank you so much

Mariana

 

[Piggies&buns]

Welcome to the forum

Definitely get them seen by a vet and the correct treatment prescribed. Don’t be tempted to use pet shop products

Piggy parasites (mange mites, hay mites and lice) are species specific. They won’t infest your home.

The fact your piggies have black specks in their hair that don’t move, then you are dealing with hay mites.

A fly like bug is not a piggy parasite.

I’ve added a guide below which explains the treatment and other measures you need to take

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

 

[weepweeps]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

 

[Mariana Dias]

Thank you so much! Yes I will definitely be going to the vets with them either today or tomorrow depending on their availability do you know of any hay suppliers that are safer to purchase so they don't get re infested? As I noticed this started happening when I got hay from there

 

[Piggies&buns]

A lot of people use online suppliers: haybox, natures own, happy hay co etc. I’ll add a link to hay suppliers below.

A Comprehensive Hay Guide for Guinea Pigs (incl. providers in several countries)

I personally get my hay by the bale from a local farm