Mites?

[zidfrekle]

My two pigs have started to develop many small, lumpy, dandruff like scabs that come off with pieces of hair attached. They don't have any visible bugs on them, and they are scratching but there are no open sores or wounds. Is this from mites? I've read that ivermectin is best for mites?
Thanks!

 

[MerryPip]

Please get a vet opinion. It may well be mites (mange mites are not visible to the naked eye) but could also be fungal infection and the treatments are both different.

A good vet will be able to advise and then treatment can be given. Ivermection for mites may be effective in liquid or injection form depending on the type/severity and topical treatment/shampoos etc for fungal.

 

[Wiebke]

Please get them checked by a piggy savvy vet. Your description rather points to a fungal problem than mange mites, which are not visible to the naked eye, either. Please do not hometreat on spec, as you can easily make the problem much worse. Ivermectin won't treat fungal - but you need a proper diagnosis first! if the fungal is in several places, your vet may consider using a systemic fungal or an antifungal dip.

http://www.guinealynx.info/fungus.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/mites.html
http://gorgeousguineas.com/indentification.html (differences between fungal and mites)
http://gorgeousguineas.com/photogallery.html