Piggies scratching

[JackyB]

Hi,

I would just like to know what you experts think of this,

Both my piggies seem to be scratching alot- they have both had Beaphar spot on treatment, i have checked their fur really well and there is no dandruff and nothing moving- no hair falling out and no bald patches but they seem to be having a scratch and a nibble at something.

They don't do it all the time- like if they are sitting on me they will just lie there for an hour and won't scratch or nibble at all in that time and love being brushed and stroked so they don't seem like they are suffering from anything so i'm not sure what to make of it?

Any advice is much appreciated!

 

[Sarah from Chucklebunnies]

I'm not an expert, but here's what I have observed...

Occasional scratching and grooming is perfectly normal. There's scratching at the side with the back foot, scratching then licking the toes, twisting around and running some fur on the back or sides through the mouth so it ends up wet, curling up and licking/pulling at fur on insides of legs, using back feet to scratch behind ears (this one amazes me). My older girl Carmina now uses me as a stable surface to curl around and clean her tummy fur. She braces her back against me during cuddles and trusts me to keep her upright when she reaches down....bless!

All of this is fine. Some piggies simply clean more than others. I watch out for excessive, repeated scratching in any area. Sometimes there is little to be seen but if they are repeatedly having a go at the lower back for instance then they may need a little help from their slave!

Warm weather can lead to extra grooming, by the way. Not that that really counts at the moment....

 

[Laura-CCC4]

I agree that it sounds like it's probably normal.

I would recommend bathing your pigs though, as they were treated for mites; not cleansing the skin and hair of dead parasites or the effects of being afflicted by parasites can lead to further irritation.

 

[JackyB]

Thanks everyone- i feel a little more at ease though i'm going to keep an eye on them.

By the way they haven't actually had mites, i gave them the spot on treatment as a preventative measure as it's meant to last for up to 4 weeks to keep them at bay.