Mites?!

[LB14]

Was giving Duke a brush and comb there and noticed he was getting right irritated when I hit a certain spot on his backside. So started parting the fur to see if he had a wee sore bit or anything and came across this in his fur.

I'm confused... he's had spot on recently and none of my other piggies have any signs of this. Reminds me of nits on a childs hair.
Does this look like mites?! I thought spot on was a preventative? How on earth could he have gotten them?

 

[Wiebke]

Autumn is generally the time for static lice/fur mites (different names for the same thing). They sit on the hair towards the bum end and look as if somebody has used a peppermill. Treatment is generally the same as for lice with a good lice shampoo or insecticidal bath, like lice'n'easy from gorgeous guineas. As the don't bother the skin, they are the least harmful of the skin parasites. it very much looks like that is what you are dealing with.
http://gorgeousguineas.com/shampoos.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/furmites.html

Mange mites are not visible to eye; they lay their eggs in the skin, which becomes painfully inflamed when the eggs erupt. That is why being ticklish or not liking to be touched can be a sign of mange mites before bald spots and hair loss appear. they are the most harmfull of skin parasites. Mange mites need treating with a well dosed ivermectin product, at least three rounds at the recommended interval. Most shop products are too low dosed, as they are geared towards the prevention, but not treatment of mange mites.
http://www.guinealynx.info/mites.html

if in any doubt what you are dealing with, please see a vet.

 

[LB14]

Thanks Wiebke. He does look like he is sprinkled with pepper. I'll buy that shampoo. Thanks again x