Mites!

[Cowlesyx]

I know this will make this sound like my guinea pigs are suffering but they are not.. I treat them as soon as possible when symptoms are spotted! But a general question..

What are the real reason for mites! mine seam to keep getting them and it getting a bit on the annoying side!

I am currently changing their food over to burgess to see if better nutrition is going to help.. I am also changing their hay to see if that is causing it.

Anyone else get any other theorys on what causes it and what i can do to prevent and names of any great treatments?

Would be much appretiated, Thanks in advance for any replies!

 

[Izze.BinkyingBunnies4ever]

well I was going to say hay but you mentioned that make sure you do switch the hay over though because you probably already know this but hay can carry mites which can be transferred over to your guinea pigs! I use the beaphar anti parasite spot on stuff if any of my animals get fleas/mites, this includes a rabbit and of course my 2 guinea pigs! Anyway you can buy it at most pet shops but heres a link [ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beaphar-Anti-parasite-Spot-Small-Animals/dp/B001UALNX2"]Beaphar Anti-parasite Spot On for Small Animals: Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies[/ame] ! You've probably heard of it before but I would really recommend it to any piggie owner!

 

[Silly]

I know this will make this sound like my guinea pigs are suffering but they are not.. I treat them as soon as possible when symptoms are spotted! But a general question..

What are the real reason for mites! mine seam to keep getting them and it getting a bit on the annoying side!

I am currently changing their food over to burgess to see if better nutrition is going to help.. I am also changing their hay to see if that is causing it.

Anyone else get any other theorys on what causes it and what i can do to prevent and names of any great treatments?

Would be much appretiated, Thanks in advance for any replies!

Hi Cowlesyx,

I have wondered and asked the same question so I know where you are coming from asking it? I changed hay from pets at home vacuum packed as I thought it was dusty and then changed to a really sweet fresh smelling hay from local pet store. They were treat 3 x ivomectin at vets over 6 weeks 2 weeks apart and they are itching again. I keep wondering is it the hay as they are on fleece which is changed every day. They need the hay but it is mad when this is probably the culprit for the mites - mad isn't it?

To prevent it I change the whole hay area every day and spray where the hay is kept and change fleeces they lie on but still they itch and the fleece is hairy again. Are yours girls I don't know sometimes if it is hormones. Are yours on fleece or shavings?

Let me know of any things you change it mite give me some ideas too.

Silly

 

[susiewoosie]

I think one of my guinea pigs has recurrent mites. She mostly scratches and is annoyed generally. I bath them in gorgeous guineas every 6 weeks which helps and just gave her more beaphar anti-parasite last week. She is slightly better. At the beginning of the year, she got injections from the Vet. At that time, the vet said that all guinea pigs had mites on their skin and these were triggered when the guinea pig was stressed. So is it hormonal triggering mites or just mites from hay. I don't know, just wish she was happy more. I'm going to take her back to vets next week. she's always upset by something.. its a shame..

s

 

[Silly]

I think one of my guinea pigs has recurrent mites. She mostly scratches and is annoyed generally. I bath them in gorgeous guineas every 6 weeks which helps and just gave her more beaphar anti-parasite last week. She is slightly better. At the beginning of the year, she got injections from the Vet. At that time, the vet said that all guinea pigs had mites on their skin and these were triggered when the guinea pig was stressed. So is it hormonal triggering mites or just mites from hay. I don't know, just wish she was happy more. I'm going to take her back to vets next week. she's always upset by something.. its a shame..

s

Hi susiewoosie,

Is your guinea with another guinea? Before I joined the forum and was very ignorant on guineas even though I had owned them before, I had boys on their own or a abby girl on her own last year. I must say she only had mites a couple of times in her 5 year life. Whereas Ruby and Titch seem to have the exact thing you are describing as recurring. Ruby does a lot of rumblestrutting and chasing and teeth chattering and I wonder if this stresses them both out more than my abby on her own. I tried the Beapher drops but they didn't work the ivomectin drops did as the vet was reluctant to inject at their young age.

Do you think when they are indoors we just notice them more. My mum says anything with fur itches, but I don't know about that.

I suppose you just have to keep an eye on them. I bought different hay again today to try a different type, there isn't much more we can do really.

Silly

 

[Cowlesyx]

Thankyou for your replies, i find that using 'Selsun' shampoo which is for humans hair on them.
When i see them showing signs i have used that as it clears their skin really well, the shampoo isnt exactly cheap but it is well worth it! it helps the skin not be as irritant.

I am trying my best to keep on top of it, but its so hard!

Used that spoton with ivermectine so i will see if it works : )


Thanks again! : )