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What Are These White Specks?

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LeahsPiggies

LeahsPiggies

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Porche has had these white specks on her fur for as long as I can remember. They don't bother her as such but recently I've noticed she is squeaking when I brush her fur back? I've heard that's normal for some pigs, though.

I've never thought anything of these white specks as I thought it may just be dandruff. I will take her to a vet if nessacery, I would rather a home remedy though!
 
They look rather like dandruff although the photo is not sharp enough. It could indicate dry skin or the beginning of mites.
 
Yeah I was thinking dandruff. She has had it for a good while so I don't think mites.. are their any shampoos or creams I can use for her? Here is a larger photo.. her coat is still shiny and in good condition other than lots of these specks.

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I agree with Wiebke it could be the start of mange mites, especially as she is sensitive. They are not visible to the naked eye and the specks would be skin debris. Treatment would be with Ivermectin preferably as a course of 3 injections at the vets.

Just to rule out fungal though, does she seem greasy at all? If you brush her hair the wrong way does it fall back into place or stay standing slightly upright? This can be a sign of mild fungal and the weather at the moment rigt for fungal conditions to thrive.
 
helen105281 said:
I agree with Wiebke it could be the start of mange mites, especially as she is sensitive. They are not visible to the naked eye and the specks would be skin debris. Treatment would be with Ivermectin preferably as a course of 3 injections at the vets.

Just to rule out fungal though, does she seem greasy at all? If you brush her hair the wrong way does it fall back into place or stay standing slightly upright? This can be a sign of mild fungal and the weather at the moment rigt for fungal conditions to thrive.
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As I said she has had these specks for a long while. I thought mange mites made their fur fall out and scaly? As far as I know it falls back into place fine although I will examine more tomorrow
Hopefully it's just dandruff - if so, what could I do about it?
 
If it is just dandruff I would bath with something like Alphosyl shampoo (patch test behind the ear for 48 hours). Do a round of at least 3 baths a week apart.

Mange mites can do that but it can also just make them sensitive depending what stage it is at.

If she is sensitive though, she will need pain relief before bathing.
 
helen105281 said:
If it is just dandruff I would bath with something like Alphosyl shampoo (patch test behind the ear for 48 hours). Do a round of at least 3 baths a week apart.

Mange mites can do that but it can also just make them sensitive depending what stage it is at.

If she is sensitive though, she will need pain relief before bathing.
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Alright, thank you. I also noticed these specks on one of my other girls too! They are really noticeable on black fur. She isn't sensitive so I'm wondering if Porche just squeaks when having her fur brushed in the opposite direction anyway?

Is it possible for both of them to have dandruff, or is fungal / mange mites more realistic? Either way I will probably have to get them into the vet! X

Edit; - we do have this shampoo in the house at the moment, it's especially made for sensitive skin and has a gentle PH balance. I was wondering if that would be ok to use, or must it be something like Alphosyl as you say? We have metacam in the house so can give before bathing. http://www.drugstore.com/head-and-s...-1-dandruff-shampoo-and-conditioner/qxp485122
 
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I am not sure about Head and Shoulders, I only use what has been recommended to me and is known to be safe for pigs.

It is possible but there are so many skin problems about at the moment which are down to the weather you can never be too careful.
 
Maybe I could test it behind the ear for 48 hours. If no change then I will definitely be booking them in to see what's going on!
 
Hi, it looks to me that your piggy has static lice which is very common in Cavies as it is usually in the hay. It is very easy to get rid of either with Ivomec spot on drops or a light spray of Johnsons mite spray for birds from the pet shop, which also kills running lice (don't use flea spray). You can lightly spray some on a brush and put it through the coat that way especially over the lower back area. make sure it is dry before the piggy grooms itself. Cavies usually squeak when the fur is brushed the wrong way because it pulls and is uncomfortable. Static lice are relatively harmless. They can make piggies a bit itchy so keep claws trimmed to avoid skin damage. Repeat the spray after 7 days to catch any new arrivals. I used to breed, show & rescue cavies and this mite spray was always in the grooming box. It should solve the problem. If not, talk to your vet :)
 
Maple had something very similar to that, she and the others were all treated for mites and now Rambo no longer scratches likes a maniac and Maple finally has a perfect coat!
 
Thank you all! :) I didn't know it was uncomfortable for them to have their fur brushed in the opposite direction, I feel awful now as I just did it again to see if the reaction was still the same and she didn't make a sound which Is good - so maybe she isnt uncomfortable with being stroked after all and was just talking to me!

I will have to get some if the mite spray or ivomec drops and see if they help them. I've had brilliant results from the beaphar anti parasite spot-on in the past. I am still wondering if it's just dandruff.. I was just looking at her fur and there are so many if the white specks which I hadn't noticed before.

Thank you for all of the advice :)
 
I would wonder about mites... I would probably get that checked. If it does turn out to be something fungal, my vet has told me it is safe to bathe them in Nizoral anti-dandruff shampoo (it's cheaper than the comparable veterinary shampoo according to him.) We've bathed Sundae with Nizoral for a fungal skin infection, though she had both flaky skin and a LOT of hair loss so the condition didn't look at all the same.
 
The vet cost for a lice/mite test is around £15-£25 plus the vets consultation fee this can be done while you wait and only takes a few minutes.
 
Thank you again :) I don't think it's a fungal problem as her fur isn't greasy or coming out in clumps, and she isn't particularly itchy either. In my opinion £25 for a mite test including the £30 consultation fee which my vet charges is expensive for what it is - when I could just treat her for mites as a preventative anyway, and the other girls.

I shall purchase the spray that Juls reccomended and see how that works. If not I will investigate further!
 
I have not heard of a bird spray being used for pigs.

For static lice or hay mites I would use Lyclear creme rinse (patch test for 48 hours first) and/or clip off the infected hair.
 
helen105281 said:
I have not heard of a bird spray being used for pigs.

For static lice or hay mites I would use Lyclear creme rinse (patch test for 48 hours first) and/or clip off the infected hair.
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I personally would not use a bird spray either for pigs - Xeno 450 or as Helen suggests Lyclear or see your Vet. - I have 2 pigs who get dandruffy in the winter because they are indoor pigs & kept in a centrally heated lounge,so their skin does get dry.
 
I've heard of bird spray being used for pigs, but I would personally get the Johnsons insecticidal spray (the one made for piggies)

I patch tested the head and shoulders yesterday behind the ear and so far it looks ok.. no redness or change in skin so I'm hoping I can give that a go if the spray doesn't work - I did think it went a bit flaky at first but I think it's where the shampoo dried on the fur. It has been 24 hours so I will wait until 48hrs.

I will also look into lyclear if this fails to work!
 
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