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Opinions On Treating Both?

Jojessgaz

Jojessgaz

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi just a very quick question. 2 weeks ago took guineas to vets to get treatment for mites or lice... wasn't sure which. The vet prescribed xeno and said may not need a 2nd dose if they not scratching. 2 weeks on... one still has about 3 or 4 little flecks on her lower back so I think a 2nd dose best. She isn't scratching... the other has never shown any signs but treated her anyway as you do... should I treat her again too? Feel bad giving her medi when she seems fine. But then I don't want to be going round in circles I suppose .... have I just answered my own question :mal:
 
Definitely 2 doses, l believe the life cycle of the mites is 4 weeks or there abouts
 
Brilliant... thanks guys..as you say I don't want to be doing this for ever. I am convinced they are from the hay... but very spooky it was exactly the same time take 1 week that they had it last year? The vet said it could have even been from the grass? I wish I could find a good hay supplier that would stop all this. But using 3 different ones at the time it's hard to narrow down. So threw the newest one away and am freezing in batches the other two . But after they are done I'm not sure where to go
 
gizzy said:
Ever thought of using alfalfa king thimathy hay? Mine have been on it for a long time and never had any problems! It's probably the best hay for both digestion and for wearing down the molars ,

Alfalfa King Timothy Hay for Small Animals | eBay
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Only thing there is I'm trying to ween them off their pellets that contain alfalfa as their veg tend to be quite high calcium so to add hay too would be going the wrong way. What pellets do you use then?
 
There should be 3 treatments of mite spot on. The first one, then 2 weeks later another and then 2 weeks after that a final dose. This ensures that all mites and their eggs have been caught at every point of the reproduction cycle.
 
Jojessgaz said:
Only thing there is I'm trying to ween them off their pellets that contain alfalfa as their veg tend to be quite high calcium so to add hay too would be going the wrong way. What pellets do you use then?
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Alfalfa King is only the brand name, its still Timothy hay :)

gizzy said:
Ever thought of using alfalfa king thimathy hay? Mine have been on it for a long time and never had any problems! It's probably the best hay for both digestion and for wearing down the molars ,

Alfalfa King Timothy Hay for Small Animals | eBay
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My piggies and house bunny LOVE this stuff!
 
Flutterby said:
There should be 3 treatments of mite spot on. The first one, then 2 weeks later another and then 2 weeks after that a final dose. This ensures that all mites and their eggs have been caught at every point of the reproduction cycle.
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I went back and got the 2nd dose although I'm not over keen on the new vet or the reception staff.... although they are all lovely people I feel this thread has given me more info than them, the receptionist asked the vet for me as I advised tilly still had specks on her and it was me asking for the dose for both piggies or they were only going to repeat for the one piggie
also I advised the vet on the first visit that the tubes of xeno don't have more than about 14 drops in each, due to last years experience and in him trying to get 17 drops out of the tube for tilly , he seemed to agree with me but I'm not sure that we are under dosing ? flossy only needed 15 drops as shes smaller and isn't showing signs of anything in her fur, but never has. its been another 2 weeks now and tilly still has flecks on her hair and skin, no broken skin but she is still itching.
do I just ask for a third dose .... and hope or could it be that she isn't getting enough in the 1 tube ... only short by about 3 drops , the vet is suppose to be exotic but the one who left seemed to know her stuff a lot more
 
Jojessgaz said:
Only thing there is I'm trying to ween them off their pellets that contain alfalfa as their veg tend to be quite high calcium so to add hay too would be going the wrong way. What pellets do you use then?
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I also made your same mistake thinking that the hay suggested by Gizzy contained alfa-alfa, but NO, it is only the name of the brand (wrong name I guess...). That hay is only timothy hay and although I have never used it, I know it is very good.
Anyway I use different brands of hay and had never had mites even with another piggie long ago...
 
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@Wiebke posting as you advised on my original post now. Spoke to my vet today as I had left a msge asking for a 3rd dose and he called to say 2 doses should have cleared it up ... maybe we were looking at something else. He has booked me in for an appt Fri saying he will do a skin scrape and send to an exotic vets to check.... this all worries me now. Tilly is still scratching as I posted earlier on someone else's post and you explained the difference in the 2 conditions... and with no broken skin or sores and little dark specs on the lower back where her hair parts. .. it sounds more like hay issues. I was happy to get a 3rd dose... I am starting to think that maybe the 16 days between the 1st n 2nd dose and now 19days after the 2nd dose I have left it too much in between. . Hard when your away on holidays. So I was going to just ask for a 3rd dose now I'm here to sort properly. .. can I do a 4th? If still there Or would that be too much. My vets changed and the guy now is lovely but doesn't have the guinea knowledge. ..saying that he will have a read as to what we can do next as 2 doses of xeno should have cleared it up... I feel I could be so close to sorting them but if I leave it much longer the 1st 2 doses would be a total waste of time... or were they anyway?
 
rome_italy said:
I also made your same mistake thinking that the hay suggested by Gizzy contained alfa-alfa, but NO, it is only the name of the brand (wrong name I guess...). That hay is only timothy hay and although I have never used it, I know it is very good.
Anyway I use different brands of hay and had never had mites even with another piggie long ago...
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I will look for that hay thanks... what makes do you use then... I get mine from pets at home and b&m and although only had mites now and this time last year.... strange exactly 1 year ago to the week! Poss not bad but I would like none at all
 
Jojessgaz said:
I will look for that hay thanks... what makes do you use then... I get mine from pets at home and b&m and although only had mites now and this time last year.... strange exactly 1 year ago to the week! Poss not bad but I would like none at all
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The hay I have bought online is Gimbi and Vitakraft (some bags are awful! at least in my opinion... I have found also a piece of branch!) and now I have Bunny Heu which my piggies love and has a wonderful smell.
There is someone here who put the hay into the microwave for a certain time... I don't know if it is true that mites and eggs are killed this way. Theorically the hay should not be ruined with some minutes into the microwave and if there is some invisible insect it should die...
Anyway, here rabbits are quite popular but are kept all indoor, at least in Rome where people live into the flats. I have never heard of any hay mites here therefore I am thinking that the lawn time might be the cause of the problem, but I am not sure of course...
 
rome_italy said:
The hay I have bought online is Gimbi and Vitakraft (some bags are awful! at least in my opinion... I have found also a piece of branch!) and now I have Bunny Heu which my piggies love and has a wonderful smell.
There is someone here who put the hay into the microwave for a certain time... I don't know if it is true that mites and eggs are killed this way. Theorically the hay should not be ruined with some minutes into the microwave and if there is some invisible insect it should die...
Anyway, here rabbits are quite popular but are kept all indoor, at least in Rome where people live into the flats. I have never heard of any hay mites here therefore I am thinking that the lawn time might be the cause of the problem, but I am not sure of course...
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I can't keep them off the grass so hopefully getting another hay will help. I too get some hays that are really spikey with twigs n all sorts in... also had an eye injury due to the hay. Not doing very well am I haha. It's hard work finding hay that is consistent and avail that doesn't cost a fortune
 
I buy the xeno spray online as it's easier to dose and lasts longer. I also take everything wooden out of their cage for 4 weeks, change to plastic houses and disposable bedding. Also F10 insecticide spray for the cage. I found treatment every 10 days better that 14 so it doesn't get such a grip when the eggs hatch.
 
JenniferG said:
I buy the xeno spray online as it's easier to dose and lasts longer. I also take everything wooden out of their cage for 4 weeks, change to plastic houses and disposable bedding. Also F10 insecticide spray for the cage. I found treatment every 10 days better that 14 so it doesn't get such a grip when the eggs hatch.
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I do think that's where I've gone wrong.. those few extra days seem to make all the difference... I'm just not sure if it would be OK to give them a 3rd and evenue 4th dose like you say maybe little closer together to try and kill completely. May call the vet again tomorrow although I done get the impress he knows too much either
 
When Eddi had mites we treated with Xeno every 10 days for 3 full treatment.
We treated all the otehr pigs at the same time and in the same way.
Multiple skin scrapings and hair samples were analysed, and nothing ever showed up under a microscope, but he definitely had mites as all of the itching and other symptoms cleared up after the second treatment (but we still did the third to clear up any stragglers).
 
@Wiebke @Swissgreys the guineas got their 2nd dose of xeno before I went away... and not expecting to dose a 3rd its been 3 weeks now since last dose so a bit too long to probably make this the last. I've been back and spoke to the vet who's given me a 3rd n said if this doesn't clear them maybe we do a skin scrape n send off... but I'm of the opinion surely that I have left it too long between this last dose and we could be looking at starting a fresh so this being dose 1 again and then poss another... I mentioned the fact that maybe it's due to 2 weeks poss too long and dose again after 10 days but he just quoted that was the stated time n he wouldn't venture away from that... my choice I think there. Also the receptionist stated that I could get xeno online alot cheaper. ..but I thought that this wasn't as strong... as long as it says xeno 450... is it the same thing? I know the pets at home beaphar stuff is a lot weaker and to be avoided
 
Jojessgaz said:
@Wiebke @Swissgreys the guineas got their 2nd dose of xeno before I went away... and not expecting to dose a 3rd its been 3 weeks now since last dose so a bit too long to probably make this the last. I've been back and spoke to the vet who's given me a 3rd n said if this doesn't clear them maybe we do a skin scrape n send off... but I'm of the opinion surely that I have left it too long between this last dose and we could be looking at starting a fresh so this being dose 1 again and then poss another... I mentioned the fact that maybe it's due to 2 weeks poss too long and dose again after 10 days but he just quoted that was the stated time n he wouldn't venture away from that... my choice I think there. Also the receptionist stated that I could get xeno online alot cheaper. ..but I thought that this wasn't as strong... as long as it says xeno 450... is it the same thing? I know the pets at home beaphar stuff is a lot weaker and to be avoided
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I fully agree with your vet's advice. Please continue with the treatment. The guidelines for the intervals are for the ideal timing, but it is not the end of the world if you are running late bit. The third round is the mopping up the stragglers round, so it is not the end of the world. Mange mites should be usually taken care of after the second round; these are the important ones.
What you cannot do is shorten the cycle as that will lead to overdosing.

You can get xeno in the appropriate strength more cheaply online if you want to continue the treatment, as long as you have discussed the correct dosage for each piggy with your vet and are not treating on spec.
 
Wiebke said:
I fully agree with your vet's advice. Please continue with the treatment. The guidelines for the intervals are for the ideal timing, but it is not the end of the world if you are running late bit. The third round is the mopping up the stragglers round, so it is not the end of the world. Mange mites should be usually taken care of after the second round; these are the important ones.
What you cannot do is shorten the cycle as that will lead to overdosing.

You can get xeno in the appropriate strength more cheaply online if you want to continue the treatment, as long as you have discussed the correct dosage for each piggy with your vet and are not treating on spec.
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Yes the other vet said it was a non prescription drug so get more online ... I've paid for this next dose at the vets now as it was quicker to get and dose straight away. Will see what happens with this one thanks
 
If your pigs have hay mites then bathing them would be effective to get rid of them. You would need to bathe the pigs once a week until all the mites and eggs have gone. Gorgeous Guineas do a good shampoo. Hay mites aren't affected by ivermectin as they don't suck the blood.
 
Lily & Rose said:
If your pigs have hay mites then bathing them would be effective to get rid of them. You would need to bathe the pigs once a week until all the mites and eggs have gone. Gorgeous Guineas do a good shampoo. Hay mites aren't affected by ivermectin as they don't suck the blood.
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Thanks for that... I was thinking bout a shampoo as seem on other posts that people have been advised to leave a few days after administering ivermectin before shampoo to make sure it's soaked in..... it I am confused in that the vet said this would get rid of hay mites. . Anyway is that the best shampoo to get do you think
 
Mother Hubbard said:
Check out gorgeous guineas website their stuff is awesome. No chemicals, all natural and very knowledgeable.
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Does it last a while.... can you use it for anything else or just as a shampoo . Had the guineas just over a year now and never put them near water so shampooing them is going to be a little daunting haha. Just never had the need to shampoo them. I cut their bums regularly and keep their fur trimmed and they live on fleece so no knots
 
Jojessgaz said:
Thanks for that... I was thinking bout a shampoo as seem on other posts that people have been advised to leave a few days after administering ivermectin before shampoo to make sure it's soaked in..... it I am confused in that the vet said this would get rid of hay mites. . Anyway is that the best shampoo to get do you think
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A lot of vets aren't very knowledgeable when it comes to guinea pigs. When my pigs had hay mites a couple of years ago, the vet gave them Ivermectin and also advised me to get the RIP Fleas spray to spray the carpet and around their cage. I later found out that the spray is toxic to guinea pigs! It's the Lice N' Easy shampoo from Gorgeous Guineas which is good. It was out of stock when I needed to buy shampoo and I bought Vet Sect Repel from Amazon which is similar. You only bathe them in shallow water in a tub and you leave the shampoo on for five minutes, then shampoo again.
 
Lily & Rose said:
A lot of vets aren't very knowledgeable when it comes to guinea pigs. When my pigs had hay mites a couple of years ago, the vet gave them Ivermectin and also advised me to get the RIP Fleas spray to spray the carpet and around their cage. I later found out that the spray is toxic to guinea pigs! It's the Lice N' Easy shampoo from Gorgeous Guineas which is good. It was out of stock when I needed to buy shampoo and I bought Vet Sect Repel from Amazon which is similar. You only bathe them in shallow water in a tub and you leave the shampoo on for five minutes, then shampoo again.
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Thanks sound's like my next purchase is lice N easy. So I put them in a small amount of water wet them all over and shampoo? Can't see them standing there for 5 mins:eek:.... then rinse it off?
How often do I do as they had their 3rd xeno on sat pm
I have cleaned all the cage but thought I would do every few days just while they are being treated to try and help
 
Just ordered lice and easy ... does anyone know.... as I have given dose 3 of Ivermectin. .. can I just carry on with this shampoo and hope that the eggs all go... I've cut some hair off and am going to try and send pic in the morning of the little lumps showing on the hair shafts that look like eggs to me. They are dark in colour. I'm just wondering instead on giving a 4th dose of Ivermectin. .. could this shampoo alone do the job ?
 
Jojessgaz said:
Just ordered lice and easy ... does anyone know.... as I have given dose 3 of Ivermectin. .. can I just carry on with this shampoo and hope that the eggs all go... I've cut some hair off and am going to try and send pic in the morning of the little lumps showing on the hair shafts that look like eggs to me. They are dark in colour. I'm just wondering instead on giving a 4th dose of Ivermectin. .. could this shampoo alone do the job ?
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Yes the shampoo alone should get rid of them. I use a washing up bowl on the bathroom floor to bathe my pigs and the water goes up to just below their tummies. I use a jug to pour the water over them. Then dry their hair with a hair dryer on a low setting. When you put them back in their cage make sure it's all clean and get rid of any wooden/cardboard houses as these might have eggs on them. Apparently, most pigs have hay mites, you only need to treat them when you see dozens of brown specks in their hair and if they are scratching a lot. You could also use a plastic flea comb to get rid of any eggs that haven't been removed from the bath. Normally you have to bathe the pigs once a week until the mites have all gone. I think the eggs hatch after a week, that's why the baths have to be done weekly.
 
Going to try and attach a photo.. then if it works will take a pic of the hair I have cut to show what they have2016-06-21 18.27.53.webp
 
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