Parasites? Or Am I Being Paranoid?

[Chloe B]

Hi, I have two 5 month old Guineas who are kept indoors. Recently set up a floor time area for them and ever since, I've noticed the odd tiny creepy crawly in the area. One looked like a flea but it didn't jump like they do. I've also seen a tiny tiny thing on my top after holding one of my boys. It looked like one or those "red ants" you find on walls in summer but it was pale brown. My boys do scratch a bit and shake like a wet dog, but they look healthy and seem happy and well. Wondering if these sound like parasites or whether they are coming from the hay and harmless?

Been told to only take them to a vet if totally necessary, and also read on here not to home treat with shop bought products. I'm worried about a trip to the vets in case it stresses them and causes other ill health! Would they resent me or be afraid of me if I took them to a vet? I've made slow but good progress with them and I don't want to start from scratch.

I try my best to check their skin (I haven't seen anything abnormal) though I find handling them extremely difficult, they wriggle and won't sit still, just jump out of hands as soon as they can. The thought of trying to bathe them, treat or anything else just worries me cause I'm terrible at keeping them under control.

Advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[helen105281]

I would get them checked by a vet, that way if anything is found, the vet can treat it with the appropriate strength product. Also give their cage and floor time area a very thorough clean and throw out any hay that you suspect is infected.

 

[Chloe B]

I would get them checked by a vet, that way if anything is found, the vet can treat it with the appropriate strength product. Also give their cage and floor time area a very thorough clean and throw out any hay that you suspect is infected.

Thanks. Is it ok to take them to my local vet do you think? ... people talk about finding specialist exotic vets but I don't see why I can't take them to any vet?

I go through hay very very fast, i currently have a massive bale of it from a farm shop as the largest bag at Pets at home was twice the price and only lasted a week! Could this kind of hay be a problem? I've read that hay that hasn't been in contacted with animals shouldn't have hay lice etc.

 

[Poppy'sMum]

All farm hay will have hay mites or other bugs in, they are usually stored in barns so are accessible to mice etc I grew up on a farm as a kid so I know This is one reason I buy sterile hay from the US like Oxbow or Alfalfa King Timothy hay since using those I have not had one pig with hay mites.

 

[Chloe B]

All farm hay will have hay mites or other bugs in, they are usually stored in barns so are accessible to mice etc I grew up on a farm as a kid so I know This is one reason I buy sterile hay from the US like Oxbow or Alfalfa King Timothy hay since using those I have not had one pig with hay mites.

That's interesting to hear. Thank you for that advice. Is there a particular website you could recommend which sells sterile hay? Or would I be best going back to buying pets at home hay? This hay I'm using isn't as soft and more straw like and has big hard brown bits/soil in it, I've always been a bit concerned.

 

[Poppy'sMum]

Well PAH sell the Alfalfa KIng Timothy hay & if I can't get it online I get it there It's still expensive but I think it lasts a long time, about 2 weeks for my 2 I think if you order online on the PAH website you get a little bit cheaper

 

[helen105281]

I buy mine from www.thehayexperts.co.uk

Mine have Oxbow orchard grass and Alfalfa King Timothy hay.

Yes your local vets should be fine. Not everyone has access to an exotic vet, and some general vets can have a lot of knowledge about pigs, though this is not always the case. For parasites though you should be ok with your local vet.

 

[Poppy'sMum]

I do "Decant" it into a big black bin bag, a small amount at a time & give it a good shake. That way any dusty bits fall to the bottom I then take the hay off the top & store in a plastic storage box without a lid

 

[Chloe B]

I buy mine from www.thehayexperts.co.uk

Mine have Oxbow orchard grass and Alfalfa King Timothy hay.

Yes your local vets should be fine. Not everyone has access to an exotic vet, and some general vets can have a lot of knowledge about pigs, though this is not always the case. For parasites though you should be ok with your local vet.

Brilliant, I'll get them registered and have a word about taking them down. If they do have parasites, obviously I know to fully clean the cage and change hay, but I have two arches made up of branches from PAH, would I need to get rid and replace? I'm unsure whether wooden/twig items harbour parasites? Could they be an issue in themselves?

 

[Chloe B]

I do "Decant" it into a big black bin bag, a small amount at a time & give it a good shake. That way any dusty bits fall to the bottom I then take the hay off the top & store in a plastic storage box without a lid

Thanks that's a great idea I might just try that

 

[Poppy'sMum]

Brilliant, I'll get them registered and have a word about taking them down. If they do have parasites, obviously I know to fully clean the cage and change hay, but I have two arches made up of branches from PAH, would I need to get rid and replace? I'm unsure whether wooden/twig items harbour parasites? Could they be an issue in themselves?

You need to hot wash any plastic hidies & personally I'd bin any wood/wooden hoses& cardboard chubes etc as they will harbour any mites

 

[helen105281]

I agree with binning the wooden hides sadly.

 

[Chloe B]

I agree with binning the wooden hides sadly.

Thank you! If my boys do have parasites and they are treated, could I buy new wooden arches? Their hideys are plastic so that's fine, but they spend more time in their archer and they absolutely love them

 

[helen105281]

Yes once the parasites have gone.