Naomi
Senior Piggy
Posts: 223 
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Post by Naomi on Oct 19, 2014 14:44:44 GMT
I've just been combing my girls and clipping nails etc and noticed something on their fur, it looked like dandruff but a bit grey/brown in colour and I've no idea what it is. I treat them with a spot on parasite treatment every four weeks which has ivermectin in it, I treated them last friday but was a week late with the treatment. I had a good look at their skin and can't see any redness, flakiness or anything. Poppett seemed a bit agitated when I was moving the fur around her rump but the skin looked fine, fudge wasn't bothered at all. Any ideas?  |
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Post by Kayleigh on Oct 19, 2014 19:29:15 GMT
It could be static, it seems to be a big issue for many at the moment. Static is harmless, but can be unsightly depending on the coat colour of the pig.
Bathing in an anti mite shampoo will get rid as will ivermectin.
I must however mention it ts not advised to treat so often with ivermectin (spot on) as the animal will build up a defence as such to the medication making it less and less effective. I would treat no more than every 3 months and only that often if theres an issue. I treat my caviary every 6 months and feel this is more than enough.
Kayleigh
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Naomi
Senior Piggy
Posts: 223
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Post by Naomi on Oct 19, 2014 20:24:19 GMT
As long as it's nothing that'll do them harm, you don't think it sounds like anything fungal then?
I use the beaphar spot on and it does say to use every four weeks, is that maybe just a marketing ploy?
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Post by Orlaith on Oct 20, 2014 8:52:41 GMT
I think it's a marketing ploy. I only ivermec my pigs if they have issues or sometimes I'll ivermec my new pigs just as a precaution. There's definitely no need to do it every month. There are people who never have cause to ivermec their pigs.
Also, the Beaphar stuff is fairly expensive. When I need to do mine (because if one needs it done I do them all), I ask my vet for a few mls and it works out significantly cheaper than buying those little pipettes. You just need a 1ml syringe and pop 0.1ml (or whatever the dose is, depending on the concentration of ivermectin) on the back of the neck and rub in and then repeat in a week. The last time I bought it off the vet I got enough to dose each pig four times (and I had about 15 pigs at the time) and it cost me €14! Imagine buying pipettes for all those pigs!
A few of my pigs have had static lice - most noticeable on my himis - and it doesn't do them any harm at all. It doesn't itch them or cause any discomfort. Poppett's agitation may have just been because you were touching her butt rather than any irritation from the lice as a lot of pigs have issues with being touched where they can't see you.
I don't think it's anything fungal if their skin is nice and clear. If the lice don't bother you and don't bother the girls I'd be inclined to just leave them for now and give them a rest from the ivermectin for now.
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Naomi
Senior Piggy
Posts: 223
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Post by Naomi on Oct 20, 2014 10:22:06 GMT
Great advice, thank you, you're right the beaphar is quite pricey so will stop doing it routinely.
I'll leave the static for now as they're going to a friends for a week this evening as I'm on holiday, I'll get some gorgeous guineas lice and easy and use it when I get them back next week.
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