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Post by staceydoo13 on Sept 30, 2014 3:25:06 GMT
I noticed what looked like dandruff on one of my pigs and eventually saw things moving in the fur. So I took both of my girls, Svenny & Silver, to the vet. At first I was happy to get them properly diagnosed (they have lice) and the vet seemed very caring and was confident in prescribing an injection of Ivermectin then another injection two weeks later. Well when I called to get the girls in for the second injection I was unable to get in to see the same vet but was offered an appointment with a different doctor in the same office. This second visit was not very comforting. This vet asked me where I thought they picked up lice from because according to him it's not something normally seen. He didn't even look them over to inspect the lice still on them after the first injection two weeks prior. When I voiced my concern about them still having quite a bit of bugs and scratching he asked if I was using any type of treatment at home. I was not so he told me to get a flea spray safe to use on puppies or kittens that can be used daily. Oh and at the end of the he told me to come back in another two weeks for more Ivermectin.
Svenny and Silver are my first guinea pigs ever. I'm wondering if there is any advice on what to do. I plan to take them in for the third set of shots but if it still doesn't work to treat the lice I need advice on what really works that I can do myself since the vet seems to be failing. Please help. I hate seeing my girls like this.
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Post by Orlaith on Sept 30, 2014 8:23:20 GMT
Hi there. Ivermectin by injection is not effective for lice in guinea pigs. Injections are also painful, so ideally your vet should minimise the number your guinea pig needs. Ivermectin can be applied to the back of the neck with a dropper and works very successfully that way. You just place a drop (the amount depends on the concentration of the ivermectin you have) onto the skin at the back of the neck, rub it in (wearing gloves) and then repeat in a week. Much less stressful and far more effective. Lice aren't as affected by ivermectin as mites are, so you'll often need to give them a good shampooing. I like the Lice n Easy shampoo from Gorgeous Guineas, which is 100% piggy-safe. Some medicated shampoos are too strong for guinea pigs. You'll need to leave a few days between shampooing and applying ivermectin. After shampooing, if your pigs will sit for it, try to brush them through with a fine-toothed comb to remove any lice or eggs. I would be a little reluctant to use a flea spray that I don't know for sure is piggy-safe as guinea pigs are sensitive little guys. |
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Post by staceydoo13 on Oct 1, 2014 23:24:18 GMT
Thank you for the info. I have opted to not put them through the stress of another injection. I am going to apply ivermectin topically.
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Post by Kayleigh on Oct 10, 2014 20:48:47 GMT
It sounds like running lice, Gorgeous guineas do a "lice and easy" shampoo for these critters and it works wonderfully. I wouldnt bother with the vets and injections, it doesnt sound like they know what they are talking about. Running lice arent as uncommon as you would think.
How are the pigs doing today?
Kayleigh
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Post by thefuzzies on Oct 12, 2014 8:51:52 GMT
My boar recently had lice and the vet gave him some neck gel and me a shampoo called Malaseb which is for dogs and cats but is ok on small animals. I had to use that 2 times a week for 3 weeks and it worked (: all of his fur has come back now.
Hope this helps
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Post by staceydoo13 on Oct 12, 2014 15:46:32 GMT
I did not take them back to the vet. I got some ivermectin and applied topically. They are doing much better. I've done two applications a week apart. They are not scratching anymore. Thank you for the support and concern.
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