Post by Dawn - Admin on Jun 12, 2008 20:08:38 GMT
© Gorgeous Guineas 2008
Lice Alert!
When Lice 'n' Easy Shampoo starts outselling Manuka & Neem Shampoo (normally our top selling shampoo), you can be sure that warmer weather is here and the lice are back in action!
Piggy lice are host-specific and will not live or breed on humans. However, they are easily transmitted from guinea to guinea by direct contact, or by contact with a human that has recently held a contaminated guinea. This can happen at guinea pig shows or with guineas who live together.
There are two main types of lice that affect guineas:
1) Static Lice
Static Lice are actually tiny Mites that feed off skin debris and adhere to the outer half of the hair shaft. They are usually found on the rump area and often come in with hay - hence they are sometimes known as Hay Mites. Eggs are also laid on the hair shaft and look like small dust particles / tiny black dots on a light-coloured pig.
2) Running Lice
Like Static Lice, Running Lice, feed off skin debris and can be seen moving about in your guinea's hair, usually at the bottom of the hair on the skin surface. They are visible to the naked eye, about 1mm long and look like tiny white / cream worms wriggling around. Their eggs are laid at the base of the hair, near the skin and look like small specks of dust. They are commonly found around the head, ears and rump of the guinea.
Both types of lice feed off skin debris but do not cause the same intense itching as Mange Mites that live under the skin. Nevertheless, action should be taken to remove them sooner rather than later.
Lice 'n' Easy Shampoo has been designed especially for guinea pigs with lice and works a treat when the instructions are followed. It took us 6 months and 3 rounds of testing to get the formulation to work as well as it does now!
When you discover "little wrigglers", Lice ‘n’ Easy shampoo is the quickest way to wash them off. Two rounds of two shampoos one week apart will usually see them off unless the infestation is particularly bad; occasionally a third round of shampoos maybe required. The first two shampoos will wash away the live lice and most of the eggs; the second two shampoos a week later will wash away lice that have hatched from the eggs left behind after the first shampoos.
Please don't be tempted to do just one round of shampoos because it appears all the Lice have disappeared. Several of our customers have done this and regretted it later when the lice came back. They then had to start again and do the two rounds of two shampoos.
Sometimes human shampoos are recommended for use on guineas with lice, especially ones containing Neem. There is no guarantee that these will work as they have been designed for humans. Our own Manuka & Neem Shampoo was recently used on a guinea with lice and wasn't particularly effective. Neem shampoos sold in health food stores may also contain harsh Essential Oils such as Eucalyptus and Rosemary (not to mention Sodium Chloride (salt), SLS, SLES, Parabens). We never use these ingredients use in our products as there are gentler and more effective ones available.
Action time: check your guinea for "little wrigglers" and then go shopping for Lice 'n' Easy Shampoo
with 10% extra free while stocks last.
Information contained in this article is for guidance only and is no substitute for proper Veterinary care.
www.store2go.net/shop/gorgeousguineas/
Lice Alert!
When Lice 'n' Easy Shampoo starts outselling Manuka & Neem Shampoo (normally our top selling shampoo), you can be sure that warmer weather is here and the lice are back in action!
Piggy lice are host-specific and will not live or breed on humans. However, they are easily transmitted from guinea to guinea by direct contact, or by contact with a human that has recently held a contaminated guinea. This can happen at guinea pig shows or with guineas who live together.
There are two main types of lice that affect guineas:
1) Static Lice
Static Lice are actually tiny Mites that feed off skin debris and adhere to the outer half of the hair shaft. They are usually found on the rump area and often come in with hay - hence they are sometimes known as Hay Mites. Eggs are also laid on the hair shaft and look like small dust particles / tiny black dots on a light-coloured pig.
2) Running Lice
Like Static Lice, Running Lice, feed off skin debris and can be seen moving about in your guinea's hair, usually at the bottom of the hair on the skin surface. They are visible to the naked eye, about 1mm long and look like tiny white / cream worms wriggling around. Their eggs are laid at the base of the hair, near the skin and look like small specks of dust. They are commonly found around the head, ears and rump of the guinea.
Both types of lice feed off skin debris but do not cause the same intense itching as Mange Mites that live under the skin. Nevertheless, action should be taken to remove them sooner rather than later.
Lice 'n' Easy Shampoo has been designed especially for guinea pigs with lice and works a treat when the instructions are followed. It took us 6 months and 3 rounds of testing to get the formulation to work as well as it does now!
When you discover "little wrigglers", Lice ‘n’ Easy shampoo is the quickest way to wash them off. Two rounds of two shampoos one week apart will usually see them off unless the infestation is particularly bad; occasionally a third round of shampoos maybe required. The first two shampoos will wash away the live lice and most of the eggs; the second two shampoos a week later will wash away lice that have hatched from the eggs left behind after the first shampoos.
Please don't be tempted to do just one round of shampoos because it appears all the Lice have disappeared. Several of our customers have done this and regretted it later when the lice came back. They then had to start again and do the two rounds of two shampoos.
Sometimes human shampoos are recommended for use on guineas with lice, especially ones containing Neem. There is no guarantee that these will work as they have been designed for humans. Our own Manuka & Neem Shampoo was recently used on a guinea with lice and wasn't particularly effective. Neem shampoos sold in health food stores may also contain harsh Essential Oils such as Eucalyptus and Rosemary (not to mention Sodium Chloride (salt), SLS, SLES, Parabens). We never use these ingredients use in our products as there are gentler and more effective ones available.
Action time: check your guinea for "little wrigglers" and then go shopping for Lice 'n' Easy Shampoo
with 10% extra free while stocks last.
Information contained in this article is for guidance only and is no substitute for proper Veterinary care.
www.store2go.net/shop/gorgeousguineas/
