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Parasites - Does This Sound Ok?

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Swissgreys

Swissgreys

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I have thought for a while that our guinea pigs seem to scratch a lot, but maybe we just spend too much time looking at them!

Anyway lately I have also noticed several small (2 - 3 mm diameter) sores on Eddi's back and shoulder area.
No one is biting him (the girls love him and often groom him), and it isn't a place he could bite himself.
The sores are there, and then a small scab with a tuft of hair falls out, but there are always new sores appearing. He usually has 2 - 3 at a time.
So we went to the vet.

She agreed he seemed to be quite itchy and the sores are painful, but said his coat is actually in lovely condition, and a quick exam didn't show any parasites (this is not the first time we have checked for this).

She called an exotics specialist who recommenced a full course of Xeno450 for all of the guinea pigs. Apparently despite no obviously visible parasites, the specialists says this is the easiest and best way to rule them out before we do any further testing.

So they have had the first dose, and will have 2 more doses, each one spread 2 weeks apart.

I think Eddi seems to be itching less already, but I just wanted to check if this sounds like the correct treatment?
And is it common that despite no parasites being found, that a guinea pig could still have them?
I am actually now hoping it is parasites, as this sounds the easiest thing to treat, and Eddi isn't loving going to the vet, so the thought of taking him there for multiple visits is a bit daunting.
Has anyone else ever had a similar problem?
 
The only parasites that wouldn't be visibly are selnic mites from what I know. When mine had them they were caused by stress as they lay dormant under the skin so are invisible. Hair loss is one sympom, together with the little piece of skin attached to the hair that comes away when pulled. Is he sensitive on his back? Is there a pattern of hair loss at all?
 
I have looked it up, and that sounds exactly like what he has @Poppy'sMum
He is super itchy on his back, along the spine and towards the shoulder area.
His hair loss is exactly like what you describe, although it is very, very minor - not actually visible unless you are really looking for it.
There isn't really a pattern, as so far it is only 2 - 3 small spots which quickly heal over once the scab has come off.
Poor boy - I hope the Xeno does the trick for him, but am wondering if I should retreat in 10 days and not wait 14?
 
It can also look like the hair is broken half way down the shaft, I have a couple with it at the moment so can try for a photo if needed. They also have the scurfy skin.
 
See that's the funny thing - his skin looks ok (except for the very tiny sores) and his hair seems perfect - it was repeatedly checked under the microscope.
So apparently he doesn't present as a classic case.
In fact I think that is why our regular vet called the specialist.
But I do think he seems less itchy since his first dose of Xeno.
How are you treating yours @helen105281 ?
Looking at the life cycle of the selnic mite I can't help but think that re treating in 10 days would be better?
 
I think mine had Stronghold the first time, they only needed one dose, then when it happened again about 2 years later (Same pigs as it lays dormant) it was very mild, but the vet injected them with Ivermectin, just one injection & they all cleared up. Does that sound right Helemn? I then bathed them a week later to get rid of the scurfy stuff as well. Always leave 48 hours after treatment for bathing, but I think you already know that lol :) I think being in boarding triggered mine both times, they don't like being away from Mummy :)
 
I always repeat ivermectin at 7 to 10 days, that way you get the newly hatched mites. They live in the skin so you need skin scrapings to diagnose them. The injections are a better bet than the spot on treatment for this type of parasite. Hope Eddi is better soon! X
 
Thanks everyone for the replies - they are really helpful.

The spot on treatment seems to have helped a lot, but now I am wondering if it would be better to go back and ask for injections instead?
And does only Eddi need the injections, as he is the only one who was showing any symptoms?
Could I just continue with the spot on for the girls?

Or should I complete the course of spot on and then if he still isn't better ask for the injections then?
I am so confused, and just hate the idea that poor Eddi is suffering with itchy sore skin which he can't escape from.
 
Yes, the spot on should be ok for the girls but maybe ask for a course of injections for Eddi.Usually they improve rapidly and start to heal after just one injection, but its important to complete the course. Metacam helps if they are painful sores.
 
Does that mean all new fleeces? I used to put all the wooden things away for 4 weeks to ensure any mites had dies.
 
Swissgreys said:
Thanks so much @pig in the city
Shall get onto the vet first thing tomorrow and suggest switching treatments.
And I shall stock up on overpriced, out of season, blueberries for my little warrior :love:
Click to expand...
Still wait 7 to 10 days from spot on treatment to avoid overdosage.

Maybe he self inflicted them just to get blueberries!
 
Hope Eddi is soon back to his usual self with no sore bits. Just to agree with @pig in the city my vet only opts for the injection method these days with ivermectin for mite treatment. Works really well and you can be confident the correct dose has got into his system.
Be ready with a blueberry for just after the injection after the indignant squeal!
 
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