Mites or Static Lice ?

[Rae1508]

Hi
Is there any way i can tell the difference between skin damage from mites and from static lice?

I have noticed tonight a couple of bad patches on Donut's back - but there is NO sign of anything moving.

I will obviously be at the vets first thing tomorrow, but (like most of us on here!) i would rather know what it is and what i need for it before i go!

If you need more details please ask - i won't write too much as i don't know what is relevant information!

Thanks for any advice
Rach

 

[Niki]

Found this on Gorgeous Guineas site http://www.gorgeousguineas.com/parasitic.html

 

[Rae1508]

Thank you very much - i have been looking at that webiste, and others ... and the more i read the more i think it is mites! I am mortified. I don't know how they gets mites but have never had any piggies with it before. I feel so guilty. Have i done something wrong?

She has 3 little blood spots - which i thought were from scratching/biting - but now i see they could be where the mites have burrowed.

The only thing is, i haven't really seen her scratching - however they are outside piggies now so behaviour isn't as easy to spot as when they are inside. She bit me today for the first time ever (i have had her 4 years, since she was born) so i know something is wrong.

Thanks for replying

 

[happycath]

Oh no I hope the vet helps you out and your piggy feels better soon.
Were you stroking her when she bit you? Perhaps her skin is sore.
Mites live on piggies naturally (in much the same way that we have microscopic bugs living on us) and in times of stress they can breed excessively and cause discomfort/itching. Although if you haven't seen her scratching... I'm unsure.
Hopefully the vet will be able to tell you for certain and prescribe some meds.
My boys had mites & were given a 'Spot On 'treatment called Xeno 50 and they needed a couple of repeat treatments. The vet also gave me 'Fuciderm' cream at the time to keep their scabs soft.
But they healed surprisingly fast and their fur all grew back.
Let us know what the vet says x

 

[Laura-CCC4]

Please don't fret over it, mites are common and you can't really do anything other than treat them as you spot the symptoms! It sounds like you have caught it early.

Treatment is Ivermectin, which can be given topically, orally, or injected subcutaneously. Injections tend to be two or three doses 7-10 days apart. Topically is usually the same. Orally is usually just two doses 7-10 days apart. If you go to the vets you'll most likely be advised to go with the injections, although many vets do turn to a topical treatment called Xeno 450 (or Xeno 50 for pigs under 700g).

If there are particularly irritated spots, an application of aloe vera gel or ointment (a gel is available from Gorgeous Guineas) can help significantly. It works very well to soothe sore patches caused by skin conditions.

 

[Rae1508]

Hi

Just back from the vets and he said it could be mites, but if it is we have caught it very early (thank goodness for that - makes me feel a bit less guilty) as the skin damage is very minimal and there isn't much white flaking. The other thing he wondered was whether one of the other piggies may have done it, but he/i would be very surprised if this was the case.

Anyhow - he has treated it like mites, just in case, with Ivermectin - and i have bought some Xeno to use on the others as a precaution.

Feel much better now ! I don't know why we have pets - we just spend our lives worrying or feeling guilty ! That said, the day i stop worrying about them is the day i stop keeping them.

Thanks for your replies and support
Rach

p.s. Thank you 'happycath'. I didn't realise they lived on the pigs all the time, i assumed i had done something to 'get' them.

 

[Rae1508]

Thank you CCC4 - that is pretty much what happened.

The vet gave Donut an injection, but said as it was so mild she probably would not need a second injection (... I have read you have to kill any eggs after they hatch, so not sure he's right about this). However he did say that if it didn't clear up completely, or i was at all worried, to go back after 10 days.

He said as the others were showing no signs, they were probably ok - but as i said i am using Xeno(450) as a precaution and keeping a close eye on them ! Thanks for mentioning the weights - i will weigh Tulip before i use it as she is still a little diddler!

... and thanks for reassuring me that i haven't necessarily done anything wrong. That means a lot.

 

[jml]

Treatment is Ivermectin, which can be given topically, orally, or injected subcutaneously. ... If you go to the vets you'll most likely be advised to go with the injections, although many vets do turn to a topical treatment called Xeno 450 (or Xeno 50 for pigs under 700g).

My vet appears to be well in the know with these things and said injections aren't necessary any more and that topical treatments work just as well/better and cause less distress to the piggies!

I hope your pig recovers well, it does seem to be a very common thing (though I didn't know that either until ours got it!) so don't worry!

 

[Laura-CCC4]

I do see your/your vets point. Injections can still be useful if the case is severe, whereby the skin is raw from scratching. Topical treatments are good for most cases, but it would sting nastily if the pig had an advanced case of mites. In such instances, a short, sharp injection could be preferable to a more persistant feeling.

 

[Cavy2009]

I suppose it depends on your vet -all my piggies were treated. My piggies were given three courses of solution. One strong to kill the mites, the second and third to kill any eggs.

I am currently using Beaphar spot on. Vet recommended xeno 450 longterm. If they get worse obviously bring them back.

I was also told that changing their hay can trigger of an infestation. So I stick to their favourite now.