Piggy constantly scratching/biting himself

[ScoutFinch]

Hi all, sorry if there is a thread on this already but I'm just new!

One of my boys seems to be constantly having a scratch at himself and turning to have a nibble at the fur on his back/sides. I checked both my piggies thoroughly after getting them home from the pet shop and both had healthy coats and no signs of illness. I gave both of them a bath with insecticidal shampoo the other week and again,their coats are healthy and I can't see any signs of lice, any scabs or soreness etc. Can anyone suggest why the little one is doing this?

I had them bedded on woodshavings first of all but recently changed to Megazorb; the little one sneezes occasionally - is there any way he could be allergic and this is also causing itchy skin? I don't know how this could be as he was also scratching himself on the woodshavings, which is why I bathed them both in the first place (as a safeguard in case they did have lice or any other nasties). He's acting totally normal besides the scratching and occasional sneezing - eating away and always talking to himself!

Many thanks

 

[Abi_nurse]

Hello and welcome to the forum,

it is likely that your little boy has mites of some sort, even if you cannot see them some are not visable to the naked eye. He needs to ideally be treated with ivermectin treatment. Three times (once every 10 days). This should clear the iching up. Make sure you also treat both piggies. If this does not resolve the ichyness then i would suggest seeing a vet.

As for the sneezing, piggies do sneeze occationally, like all animals. But if it is excessive then he may well have an allergy to the bedding. Some piggies do have allergies to woodshavings, but not sure about the megazorb. I doubt that the megazorb would cause excessive iching too. try changing the bedding if you are worried about the sneezing.

Hope this helps.

x