Worming

[Toni D]

Hi, Can anyone advise regarding a suitable non-prescription wormer for G.Pigs? I worm my dogs regularly and used to worm my cat regularly (RIP Chester) but I can only find a non-prescription wormer for rabbits. I know G.Pig breeders can get hold of Ivormec for internal and external parasites and one suggested sheep wormer (advice not taken). When I had many rescue G.Pigs years ago I could get Ivormec but now only have Ivermectin for hay mites. I will be seeing my vet in a couple of weeks for a regular visit (blood test) with my elderly dog and will discuss with him but I know he will only suggest a consultation and a prescription medicine. I wondered if there was anything available on the market that is recommended for regular worming. N.B. There is no indication that my boys have worms; they seem very healthy and are putting on weight but I have always wormed my pets as a matter of course.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, Can anyone advise regarding a suitable non-prescription wormer for G.Pigs? I worm my dogs regularly and used to worm my cat regularly (RIP Chester) but I can only find a non-prescription wormer for rabbits. I know G.Pig breeders can get hold of Ivormec for internal and external parasites and one suggested sheep wormer (advice not taken). When I had many rescue G.Pigs years ago I could get Ivormec but now only have Ivermectin for hay mites. I will be seeing my vet in a couple of weeks for a regular visit (blood test) with my elderly dog and will discuss with him but I know he will only suggest a consultation and a prescription medicine. I wondered if there was anything available on the market that is recommended for regular worming. N.B. There is no indication that my boys have worms; they seem very healthy and are putting on weight but I have always wormed my pets as a matter of course.

If your guinea pigs are indoors guinea pigs on a good diet (as an increasing number is these days, especially with the treated hay sold in shops these days), then worming is not necessary, only if they are out on the lawn a lot is there a small risk that they may pick up worms. We recommend to please speak with your vet about the necessity and which product to best use. Appropriate worming products are generally POM, prescription-only medication. there is no guinea pig specific worming product.

Please be aware that by using low dosed ivermectin, like ivomec, you are in fact contributing towards making any mange mite eggs sitting in the skin immune to ivermectin. Most guinea pigs have them these days, but they are normally controlled by a working immune system and will never become a problem. We have had reports and warning of growing resistence due to overuse of low dosed products (it works the same as the problems with overuse/undertreating with antibiotics that are causing growing resistence). Before ivermectin came on the scene, mange mites could only be managed but not cured.

Worming as part of treatment may have be taken into consideration by a good vet when your are delaing with a mystery weight loss/food absorption/apparent malnutrition problems, recurring diarrhea/digestive issues and lethargy - but of course, all these symptoms can relate to a number of other problems, so it is just one angle.

Please be also aware that by worming you cannot prevent an infection with parasites.

 

[biscandmatt]

prevention worming is not necessary and as said above, can cause resistance. i'd consult with the vet if you choose to use something, so you know it is safe and given correctly etc

eta: although the majority of piggy-savvy vets will not recommend routine worming

 

[Toni D]

If your guinea pigs are indoors guinea pigs on a good diet (as an increasing number is these days), then worming is not necessary, only if they are out on the lawn a lot is there a small risk that they may pick up worms. We recommend to please speak with your vet about the necessity and which product to best use. Worming products are generally POM, prescription-only medication.

Please be aware that by using low dosed ivermectin, like ivomec, you are in fact contributing towards making any mange mite eggs sitting in the skin immune to ivermecting. We have had reports of resistence. Before ivermectin came on the scene, mange mites could only be managed but not cured.

Please be also aware that by worming you cannot prevent an infection with parasites.

My worry was picking up worm eggs from the hay or vegetables, although I do wash the vegetables and I buy timothy hay. The pigs will go out on the grass in the summer. I appreciate your views over a vets views although I will be discussing with him when I see him.

 

[Wiebke]

My worry was picking up worm eggs from the hay or vegetables, although I do wash the vegetables and I buy timothy hay. The pigs will go out on the grass in the summer. I appreciate your views over a vets views although I will be discussing with him when I see him.

To be honest, over several years on this forum with several hundred threads in our health/illness section in a year, we see less than a handful of cases each year where worming is being used as part of treating persistent digestive issues, which have become a lot less frequent with a good hay/fibre-rich general diet. It really is that rare!

Most shop hay and veg is treated these days; the overwhelming majority of parasitic problems we get are from newly bought shop or breeder babies with exposure at the place of origin and a not yet fully developed immune system to cope with all the upheavals to their short life.

Washing your veg well also helps, of course.

 

[Toni D]

That is all good to hear. My two boars are just 14 weeks old, they came from a breeder and I have had them a month. They are showing no signs of trouble so hopefully all will be ok. Many thanks for your help.

 

[jeffnsweep]

Hi pumpkin and butternut squash are used are used as a preventative wormer in lots of animals, so you could try using that in their fresh veg a couple of times a week, however I'm sure if anybody did have a piggy with confirmed worms its best to seek proper veterinary medication.

 

[Toni D]

Thank you for that tip I like butternut squash (roasted) so they will get some of that (not roasted lol!) as a matter of course.