I found small black insects (assuming mites) all over my hay ,I have completely stripped all bedding out and washed it on 60 ,washed cage and given the pigs a treatment to be on the safe side ,is there anything else I should do ? I am so stressed right now !
Hi!
You have done the right thing.
What you are dealing with in an infestation of not guinea pig specific bugs, so they should hopefully disappear quickly again as they cannot survive on guinea pigs. Do you have other pets or animals in contact with your guinea pisg that can be infested with species specific parasites or would consider egg cases that could have been left by a previous owner if you have moved within the last two years and that have been woken up by radiator heating?
The three species of mites that can affect guinea pigs are invisible to the naked eye. Mange mites (trixacarus caviae) burrow their eggs painfully into the skin and hay mites (chirodiscoides caviae) fix their tiny dark egg cases to the hairs, especially at the bum end, but you will not see any movement (they usually look like somebody has used a peppermill over a guinea pig). These are the two species specific guinea pig mites.
Cheyletiella parasitivorax is a fur mite that can affect several species, including dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs, and that can also cause dermatitis in humans. It is thankfully pretty rare in guinea pigs.
Guinea pig lice are pale and visible to the naked eye.
If in any doubt, please see your vet for a proper diagnosis and the appropriate good quality treatment and small animal safe spray to disinfect their room (please remove your guinea pigs and only bring them back once you have aired the room properly). Be aware some large pet sprays can be lethal for guinea pigs, so always make double sure that you are using a safe product; you vet should be able to give you a recommendation.
