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Mites?

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Boofimus

Boofimus

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I've only had my piggies for a week, so there's a chance that I'm being paranoid and overcautious but essentially:

- Yesterday I noticed that Barley was looking distinctly thin on hair behind the ears. Like I say, I've only had them a week, so she's only just letting me look at her that closely and I didn't know if this had always been the case. Anyway I had a search online and it seemed that most piggies have some sort of bald spot to a greater or lesser degree.

- Today they have both been sneezing and rubbing their noses and scratching like mad, especially just behind the ears. Nothing's new. Nothing's different. All food they've had before, all bedding they've had before. I cleaned out the cage on Saturday so it shouldn't be detergent or anything.

- I had a look at Barley's ears and the pale one (she's a blonde Dutch rex ) looks sort of... well mouldy is the best way to describe it.

They only kept it up for about 10 minutes and now aren't doing it half as much but I'm really worried. I've tried to get a closer look at Wheat but she still hates being picked up. Kicked up a huge fuss until I let her make a tunnel in towels and picked them up, and then when I waited for her to maker her own way out on my lap she popped her head out after 15 minutes and promptly peed all over me.

Anyway short version:
- Does this sound like mites?
- Does anyone know of a good vet in Bristol? (Needs to be Bristol rather than Bristol-area as I don't have a car)
- Please tell me that it's normal after a week for the piggies to just hate you 8...
 
I too have only had my 2 pigs Caramel and Nougat a week now and on Monday I noticed Nougat's ear was scabby and slightly white coloured inside. I bathed this with lukewarm water and cotton wool but was worse the next day. He doesn't seem to have noticed as happy and eating lots and not scratching his ear. I was still worried though and took him to vets tonight. He then did a swab test of stuff from his ear under the microscope and said no mites, or fungal but was going to put Xeno on his ear to make sure as parasites etc are common in pigs and we are going to do another treatment at home in 10 days.

It was £30.00 to see the Vets with the ointment but happier knowing his ear will be better now. If I was you I would take them to the vets just to get checked or you could order Xeno online and try it yourself. ( I just wanted a expert to reassure me :) )

My pigs seem to like us but we have handled them every day for 20 mins since day 3 of getting them and let them out in the run every day for a few hours. They are also getting used to us now and are settling. Every pig is different and I am sure once they get used to you and your voice, smell etc then all will be good.
 
Boofimus said:
I've only had my piggies for a week, so there's a chance that I'm being paranoid and overcautious but essentially:

- Yesterday I noticed that Barley was looking distinctly thin on hair behind the ears. Like I say, I've only had them a week, so she's only just letting me look at her that closely and I didn't know if this had always been the case. Anyway I had a search online and it seemed that most piggies have some sort of bald spot to a greater or lesser degree.

- Today they have both been sneezing and rubbing their noses and scratching like mad, especially just behind the ears. Nothing's new. Nothing's different. All food they've had before, all bedding they've had before. I cleaned out the cage on Saturday so it shouldn't be detergent or anything.

- I had a look at Barley's ears and the pale one (she's a blonde Dutch rex ) looks sort of... well mouldy is the best way to describe it.

They only kept it up for about 10 minutes and now aren't doing it half as much but I'm really worried. I've tried to get a closer look at Wheat but she still hates being picked up. Kicked up a huge fuss until I let her make a tunnel in towels and picked them up, and then when I waited for her to maker her own way out on my lap she popped her head out after 15 minutes and promptly peed all over me.

Anyway short version:
- Does this sound like mites?
- Does anyone know of a good vet in Bristol? (Needs to be Bristol rather than Bristol-area as I don't have a car)
- Please tell me that it's normal after a week for the piggies to just hate you 8...
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Mites can only be diagnosed by a vet, sorry I cant recommend any in bristol.

Mine have a scratch for a while from time to time but all are in full coat and fine but if you are worried then I would suggest a trip to the vets to put your mind at rest.

Yes all piggies have bald patches behind their ears, they do vary in size slightly from pig to pig.

My rex girly had some dead skin inside her left ear at one point which I managed to carefully remove for her, I check all 4 of my guys ears and they are all clean and healthy now, I dont know why or how she got this white flaky stuff inside the one ear and that it cleared up the following day once I had helped her out - maybe I got rid of the bits that she couldnt and the rest she managed to groom herself.

Its early days with your pigs, just talk to them every day and handle them as much as possible - about 10 mins a day to begin with is what I did and mine were (still are sort of) a nightmare to catch, but they are much happier with being held and cuddled, I have had them for 2 months now. They are prey animals so can be skittish, just take time with them and they will soon be happy to make you their slave :))
 
mites are microscopic, so a vet needs to diagnose them. the moldy looking ear sounds similar to what my gp piglet had when we first got him, and when we took him to the vet we found it was ringworm (contagious, but treatable). your best bet is to take them to the vet if you're concerned, especially if it's rw because thats contagious to both animals and humans. hth :)
 
smr1001 said:
For future reference I would recommend these vets in Bristol

http://www.highcroftvet.co.uk/exotic_pets_-_expert_veterinary_care
Click to expand...

Thanks. That's who we're going to see tomorrow!

Piggies seemed much happier this evening, until I left their lap towel in their cage (still trying to convince Wheat that cuddles are okay by making her associate the towel with food). After about half an hour they both started scratching like mad again and even went as far as rolling on their backs to get the itches. Once I made the connection I took the towel out and they seem far happier. I'm wondering if maybe it's not mites but a skin reaction to something on the towel {:|:{
 
Well 4.5 hours, six buses and £60 later...

Both piggies are "crawling" with mites. Vet says they must have had them before I got them to be this covered so shall be emailing their mum's owner to tell her to check her girls too!

Fingers crossed they'll be a lot happier now...
 
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