Piggy is a inpatient (mites)

[6yearoldgirl]

Hey i used to have a account i couldnt seem to log back in. I have 1 piggy shes 6 now and decided last year that she hates other pigs and seems more than happy to have the cage and food all to herself. shes had many vets visits and procedures the past 6 years. She had a hysterectomy last november and has been fine since.

Then on tuesday i noticed she was sleeping more than usual but still pestering for food and ok. Then yesterday she was more tired and not asking for fresh food and just eating hey so i panicked and started syringe feeding fluids, all good shes a good girl and takes syringes without being forced. I know i should have gone vets then but i didnt and I'm kicking myself.

Today i had something important to do so i left the house earlyish and was watching her on the camera on her cage. She didnt move from her bed for 3 hours. My mum went to feed her and she wasnt interested so i rang the vets panicking and luckily theyre absolutely amazing and are looking after her for the next 24 hours for me until i get home.

I thought she would be de hydrated and possibly needing fluids and or was seriously ill with bloat but that wasnt the case. They said shes riddled with mites to the point she doesnt even want to eat anymore. I glad shes not seriously ill but I'm gutted ive missed it and let her get to this stage. Theyre obviously treating her and looking after her.

The reason for my post is i dont know where i have gone wrong ? I didnt see her scratching more than usual, i would never have guessed it was mites. Shes a indoor piggy in my living room she doesnt come into contact with other pigs. The cage is very clean and shes spoiled rotten. Where have these mites come from and what can i do going forward to stop this happening again ? Thankyou

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry to hear this.

First, I’m sorry to hear.
Secondly, you haven’t gone wrong.

There are two types of mites - hay mites and mange mites. I rather suspect you are dealing with mange mites.

Hay mites are an annoyance rather than a serious concern. They attach to the hair shaft. They come in with hay. Usually imported hays.

Mange mites are a major concern. They burrow into the skin and feed off of piggy. They are usually kept under control by a working immune system but can take hold if a becomes unwell, or just older and the immune system doesn’t function as well.
This can be just a side effect of aging, not poor care.

The guide below explains more.
It also details the disinfection which will be needed to the cage.

New Guinea Pig Problems: Sexing & Pregnancy; URI, Ringworm & Parasites; Vet Checks & Customer Rights

 

[Wiebke]

Hey i used to have a account i couldnt seem to log back in. I have 1 piggy shes 6 now and decided last year that she hates other pigs and seems more than happy to have the cage and food all to herself. shes had many vets visits and procedures the past 6 years. She had a hysterectomy last november and has been fine since.

Then on tuesday i noticed she was sleeping more than usual but still pestering for food and ok. Then yesterday she was more tired and not asking for fresh food and just eating hey so i panicked and started syringe feeding fluids, all good shes a good girl and takes syringes without being forced. I know i should have gone vets then but i didnt and I'm kicking myself.

Today i had something important to do so i left the house earlyish and was watching her on the camera on her cage. She didnt move from her bed for 3 hours. My mum went to feed her and she wasnt interested so i rang the vets panicking and luckily theyre absolutely amazing and are looking after her for the next 24 hours for me until i get home.

I thought she would be de hydrated and possibly needing fluids and or was seriously ill with bloat but that wasnt the case. They said shes riddled with mites to the point she doesnt even want to eat anymore. I glad shes not seriously ill but I'm gutted ive missed it and let her get to this stage. Theyre obviously treating her and looking after her.

The reason for my post is i dont know where i have gone wrong ? I didnt see her scratching more than usual, i would never have guessed it was mites. Shes a indoor piggy in my living room she doesnt come into contact with other pigs. The cage is very clean and shes spoiled rotten. Where have these mites come from and what can i do going forward to stop this happening again ? Thankyou

Hi and welcome back

HUGS

I am ever sorry. It is nothing you have done wrong or missed.

As I know from my own oldies who are coming to the natural end of their lives, it is always a toss up between an organ or the immune system giving way. If the immune system is breached, whatever is getting through will do so with terrifying speed and ferocity, whether that is an infection, fungal or parasites. This is the tough side of the much fastetr metbolism and the much smaller body that guinea pigs have. But it is not your fault; it is just plain old nature and the usually lottery as to which part of the engine in the body breaks first.

If it is any consolation to you, I had to pts one of my 8 year olds for mange mites as the kindest thing; they kind of exploded out of nowhere. Her life by then was a matter of days anyway. Several others of mine developed various runaway infections once the immune system was no longer able to do its job.

All the best for your own old lady. 6 years is the upper half of the average life span, which speaks of your good care. Sadly, what you can never, ever choose is when and in which way the end comes. All you can do is give your piggies what they want out of their lives: happy todays in good care.
As long as you are doing that (and you have clearly done this), you are not failing yours, however short or long you have them. Guinea pigs don't have a concept for an average life span but they know it when they have a cushy life and when they are loved!

Fingers crossed for your old lady.

PS: If you contact admin via the technical support, they may switch your current username back to your old one. Accounts are going to lapse if they are not activated in quite a long time.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/forums/forum-technical-assistance.7/ @BossHogg

 

[6yearoldgirl]

Thankyou so much. Shes my world i cant bare the thought of her not being my little companion. Its just me and her at home my mums just nips round to feed and cuddle her when I'm out so it will be super hard when i do have to say goodbye. I thank my little pig all the time shes given me so much more than ive given her. Its a pleasure to joey about and clean for her. Cant wait to pick her up and see her face tomorrow afternoon.

 

[Wiebke]

Thankyou so much. Shes my world i cant bare the thought of her not being my little companion. Its just me and her at home my mums just nips round to feed and cuddle her when I'm out so it will be super hard when i do have to say goodbye. I thank my little pig all the time shes given me so much more than ive given her. Its a pleasure to joey about and clean for her. Cant wait to pick her up and see her face tomorrow afternoon.

HUGS
Fingers crossed for her.