So i have very recently adopted 2 guinea pigs from pets@home and started to notice that my piggies seem to be scartching and found some tiny insects crawling on their cardboard tube. I've checked both the piggie's fur and nothing was found. I havent had the chance to clean the cage out compeltely as ive only had them for 3 days, but i spot clean every morning. Any ideas on what they could be and if i should be worried?
The insects you have spotted are not sounding like any of the skin parasites that guinea pigs can get, so I would concentrate on cleaning the cage. Have you got other pets? Are your piggies indoors or outdoors?
Personally, I would recommend to invest in some F10 disinfectant, either the spray or the concentrate for a monthly deep clean, as it is the only one that is proven to kill ringworm (highly infective fungus) spores. It is widely available online.
If the scratching is more than a few times a day, and indeed frequent and very intense, then I would have your guinea pigs vet checked for invisible mange mites or fungal, especially if the itching gets worse and you notice bald patches either on the back or around the face. Please don't be tempted to treat on spec with low dosed wide spectrum shop products; you can do more harm than good!
You should be able to re-claim any vet cost from the pet shop that arise from issues they have picked up at the shop within the first 2-3 weeks. Many vets won't charge for a first health check when you register with them, but it is worth asking before. We have got a recommended UK vet locator on the top bar.
As we have members from all over the world, we find it very helpful in being able to tailor any advice and recommendations to what is available and doable where you are if you please added your county to your details. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. thank you!
