Possible Mites?

[LilyandGeorge]

Hello! I've noticed that Lily is frequently shaking herself in the same way that a dog shakes itself dry. Additionally, there seems to be more loose hairs around, on her and in the cage. I brushed her and brushed off quite a lot of loose hair. There appeared to be some tiny dark dots on the hairs. They were so small that I could not even see any detail with a magnifying glass. They did not move at all. When I rubbed them between my fingers, they felt slightly moist.

I looked at Guinea Lynx for info and it showed white eggs as seen with human head lice, but she definitely does not have these. I have also not observed any of the following: scratching, bald patches or skin lesions, ear problems. All other signs are normal: general behaviour, eating, drinking, pooping, weeing, communicative sounds, weight (stable at 1180g).

I don't know when I can get to the vet as my daughter is unwell and off school. My questions are:
1. Does anyone know if these are signs of mites?
2. When I do get to the vet, what can I expect for treatment. Is there anything people recommend that I can ask for?
3. Anything I can do in the meantime to help?

Very thankful for any advice xx

 

[Poppy'sMum]

It could just be static lice or what is more commonly called hay mites. The vet will tell you for sure. Leave any bathing until 48 hours after treatment, then you can use something like Lice n Easy from Gorgeous guineas or Flea or Die shampoo. Then repeat the shampooing 2 weeks later. Clean the cage thoroughly using small animal appropriate cleaner & hot wash any fleece or bedding & hot soapy was any hidies to kill the eggs. You will need to take her companion with you to the vet so they are treated at the same time.

 

[Wiebke]

Hello! I've noticed that Lily is frequently shaking herself in the same way that a dog shakes itself dry. Additionally, there seems to be more loose hairs around, on her and in the cage. I brushed her and brushed off quite a lot of loose hair. There appeared to be some tiny dark dots on the hairs. They were so small that I could not even see any detail with a magnifying glass. They did not move at all. When I rubbed them between my fingers, they felt slightly moist.

I looked at Guinea Lynx for info and it showed white eggs as seen with human head lice, but she definitely does not have these. I have also not observed any of the following: scratching, bald patches or skin lesions, ear problems. All other signs are normal: general behaviour, eating, drinking, pooping, weeing, communicative sounds, weight (stable at 1180g).

I don't know when I can get to the vet as my daughter is unwell and off school. My questions are:
1. Does anyone know if these are signs of mites?
2. When I do get to the vet, what can I expect for treatment. Is there anything people recommend that I can ask for?
3. Anything I can do in the meantime to help?

Very thankful for any advice xx

Hi!

Have your piggy seen for hay/fur mites (chirodiscoides) if the black bits are sitting especially on the bum end of your piggy. They are the least harmful of the parasites guinea pigs can get. We used to see them only in Autumn on guinea pigs that were fed on cheap farmers/equine hay, which were slightly larger and easy to get rid of.
But in the last couple of years they have started to turn up on guinea pigs that get imported hay from the US. These hay mites have slightly smaller eggs (which is what you see) glued to the hairs, usually looking like somebody has used a pepper mill over the bum end. They feed on detritus on the hairs and skin. It is not quite as easy to get rid of them.

it is spring with warmer weather, so some piggies are currently sheeding lots of hair. As long as you don't get any new bald patches, there is nothing to worry about, but it may have made the hay mites more visible. Have all your piggies seen and treated at your convenience. It is not an emergency, but once they are on treatment, you need to give the cage a deep clean and wash any fabric at 60 C. You have to do the same again at the end of the treatment, which consists of several applications. Please do not treat on spec.

My Nye came with them and my vet treated with Advantage, which worked very well, compared to a combined lice shampoo and ivermectin approach, which you have to time very carefully as you need to wait 48 hours between any topical (i.e. on the spot/skin treatment) for it to work.

 

[LilyandGeorge]

Thanks for your replies. I will let you know how I get on once I get to the vet. Glad it's not considered an emergency. I will ask about Advantage. That sounds the best bet for me as I am unable to source the products suggested by Poppys Mum here in Spain, even online. All I can find is "Men for San".
I'm guessing if it is hay mites, I'll need to bin all the hay. The hot washing's no problem, I always hot wash anyway.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks for your replies. I will let you know how I get on once I get to the vet. Glad it's not considered an emergency. I will ask about Advantage. That sounds the best bet for me as I am unable to source the products suggested by Poppys Mum here in Spain, even online. All I can find is "Men for San".
I'm guessing if it is hay mites, I'll need to bin all the hay. The hot washing's no problem, I always hot wash anyway.

All the best!

 

[Poppy'sMum]

You can get Gorgeous Guineas stuff posted I believe & also Flea or Die is sold on Amazon

 

[LilyandGeorge]

Just got back from vets. They analysed her fur under microscope and found the bits were just dirt! There is nothing wrong with her at all! Think I was just being overanxious, particularly after losing George recently! So relieved! I had bought her some posh new hay anyway, which she is enjoying! Thanks for your advice anyway.