A lot of scratching

[Free Ranger]

Xeno at the correct dose is really effective. I've used it quite a bit over the years and the only time it went wrong is when one vet accidently prescribed 2 doses 3 weeks apart instead of 3 doses two weeks apart. Then they came back. Usually my piggies are not scratching or shedding by the time the third dose is due (but I do it anyway!)
If you are happy you got your doses right (weight dependent etc) and the 2 weeks spacing right it should have worked. There are other things that can make piggies scratch. In the first few days after you applied the xeno did the itchy ones stop scratching then? If it was mites or lice they should have stopped. Or didn't it make any difference? They won't like you if you shave them and to be really honest it won't make a blind bit of difference! But the mites or lice WON'T live on you - really they won't. Perhaps you just have a normal level of scratching? There are other things that can leave bits in the fur - I was shocked once to see lots of dark specs on the back of my white one but she'd been in either the hay cube or the carrot cottage which had shed bits all over her back. Any chance that's happened?

Exhibit 1.

 

[Guineapoops2022]

So I’ve got more xeno for 3rd treatment which is Saturday… but I’m wondering does anyone have any specific comb or technique for removing the eggs? I have tried and her hair is so fine I don’t know would the hair need to be wet or coated in something to help but maybe the comb wasn’t fine enough I have a nitty gritty for my kids but I’m not sure that one will work either… I’m worried if I don’t comb them out they will never leave

 

[Free Ranger]

Don't comb them out. It won't work and the piggies will be in a lot of pain. Their skin is much more sensitive than ours, their fur is so fluffy, and they will shriek very pitifully. My son couldn't stand the nitty gritty and his hair was short and straight. You can't depend on this manual method - you will be forever checking, checking, checking that there isn't one more egg (or something that looks like an egg because they do get covered in bits) and unfortunately that just 'feeds the beast' (if you've veered into OCD territory before you'll know what I mean).

Do your third dose and look to see whether the scratching stops over the next couple of days. If there is no effect then either they've got something else or it's just normal levels of scratching and grooming. If it stops but then gradually increases over the next couple of weeks I'd suspect I hadn't quite got it right.

So, if you think you still have mites or lice the best way forward has to be to go back to a vet and give them the full story. If you got your piggies from a rescue (or if there is one nearby) you can call them for advice. If money is an issue have a look to see whether you are eligible for PDSA vet treatment. You have to be on certain benefits and I'm not sure what the deal is in Scotland but it's worth looking into. If your pigs have had no side effects from the xeno-450 that's a plus because even if they need more treatments they'll be fine. I must say though, I've never heard of the xeno failing. Have you got any pig-owning friends nearby that you can have round for coffee and a chat to see what they think?

I've handled and checked over my pigs before when I knew they were carrying passengers and apart from a sense of psychological itchiness there was no effect on me (and I'm delicious to insects). The critters that live on pigs don't affect people. If you had something like ringworm you'd see signs on them (scabbing and hair loss around the face, eyes etc) and on yourself (a red ring of itchy skin - very distinct). But some pigs actually just get dry skin... bathing doesn't help but it's not necessarily that. Some are just more prone genetically.

Calm thoughts! It's all doable it's just a faff. Don't let it dominate the rest of you life x

 

[YvonneBlue]

Two of my piggies had mites last year, unfortunately they are becoming resistant to some treatments. My vet used Flurolaner (EXOLT) given orally this certainly did the trick, the mites were gone within days of the treatment. It may be worth discussing this option with your vet if the Xeno isn't working. It was quite a big dose and a bit of a nightmare to administer but it was worth it to get rid of the mites.

This is the thread if you are interested.
Flurolaner for Mites - Is this Medication OK?

 

[Guineapoops2022]

Thank you for your help I do agree with what your saying it has made me think already I would need to keep combing and it’s not fair on them I think i will do what you say give this third dose and hope for the best and if it doesn’t work then vets again. Can I ask does the Zeno kill eggs or just the hatched ones? I’m just wondering if I have missed them hatching because I did hear the treatment only works for a couple of days I’m thinking this is obviously a bad infestation they have x

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thank you for your help I do agree with what your saying it has made me think already I would need to keep combing and it’s not fair on them I think i will do what you say give this third dose and hope for the best and if it doesn’t work then vets again. Can I ask does the Zeno kill eggs or just the hatched ones? I’m just wondering if I have missed them hatching because I did hear the treatment only works for a couple of days I’m thinking this is obviously a bad infestation they have x

I only kills hatched mites (eggs are not affected by the treatment). This is why it needs several treatments to catch all the mites as they hatch.

 

[Free Ranger]

It only kills hatched ones but they have to hatch and then survive for the next three weeks to reach breeding maturity. So by repeat treating after two weeks you know they won't be generating any more eggs. It works for longer than a couple of days but it's just that the effectiveness decreases over time so it's most powerful when it's first applied.

 

[Guineapoops2022]

Hi guys I’ve just been told after paying extra to get the xeno on time it’s not going to get here for tomorrow will it be ok until Monday for it?

 

[Free Ranger]

If Saturday would be the two week point and it was going to be the third dose anyway then yes, Monday should still be OK as it is well within the 3 weeks point.
If after all this you find you still have itchy pigs it won't be because of this 2 day delay - it'll be something to do with either doses/weights, or piggies actually having something else instead (or as well!)
Annoying though isn't it...

 

[Guineapoops2022]

Hello again I’m afraid I’m back hope you are all well & your piggy’s too! Third treatment of xeno was applied on Sunday and from what I can see plenty of scratching still going on and I’m still seeing these tiny black specs (eggs) on my white guinea possibly another on her face! Where she has white fur. I managed to trim my long haired girl hoping I removed quite a few eggs maybe even some crawlers but I’m certain these mites are still here I’m going to call vet just now but was wondering if anyone had any advice or been through this themselves… is it possible the mites are a huge infestation and it’s harder to treat? I’m certain we applied the correct amount of drops every application I’ve done my best to keep things clean and big cage clean 2/3 days after treatments x

 

[Free Ranger]

Ok so either it's not mites/lice or the critters you have are unfortunately resistant. It's not something I've ever come across before but if @YvonneBlue 's vet is correct (see above) you might have to look into alternative treatments. Either way I'm afraid you're going to have to speak to a vet again and get a hands on examination. I can't remember how many piggies you have but I think it's a few isn't it. Ideally they should all go to see the vet, but if you call them and speak to the receptionist they'll tell you what to do.

Tell the vet exactly what process you've followed for the xeno: how you worked out the doses and which parts of the skin you dobbed it onto (whether the bald patches behind the ears, in the rosettes, along the spine by lifting the hair etc etc) and the number of weeks between the doses. Then whether you saw any changes or not. You've been very conscientious and careful but sometimes things are rather beyond our control. But if you can assure the vet that you followed the protocol effectively they won't waste your time by telling you to do it again!

I'm sorry this hasn't worked out. Remember, those critters will only live on the pigs so don't get too preoccupied - they won't spread x

 

[Guineapoops2022]

Ok so I spoke to the vet she was very nice she does wonder if there’s mites and lice but said I would clearly see the lice… she wants to see all 4 pigs next week and come up with a plan she did say she has to look into the flurolane as she hasn’t used it with guinea pigs before and wasn’t sure it was a legal product but said if other people have been using it then surely that’s good we also talked about ivermectin injections so I’m not sure but I told her I would get as much information from here for her about the flurolane thanks so much for your advice guys this is really helping me I don’t know what I would do without this forum x

 

[Guineapoops2022]

Sorry she also asked if this flurolane was legal and uk based? X

 

[Guineapoops2022]

Would you suggest gorgeous guineas shampoo for use at some point ? X

 

[Free Ranger]

Perhaps the vet can be directed to this thread Flurolaner for Mites - Is this Medication OK? where people discuss their experience. It's the only thread we've had so far and it's from this year so it's all quite recent stuff.

@YvonneBlue would it be possible to message OP with a contact number or email for your vet that she might pass on to their vet in case they have any further questions? It sounds like you were not the first pigs your vet has used this stuff for...

 

[Guineapoops2022]

This is a huge help I can’t thank you enough free ranger really appreciate your time and advice I’m seeing the vet next week so trying to find whatever I can for treating this I don’t think Zeno is going to cut it going to try get some of the black specs off the piggy with selotape on the day and she can look them over surely if this was mites and lice or lice I would of seen them by now haven’t seen a single bug just black tiny dots and lots of itching the girls have been biting the coroplast a lot the last few days and eating it? Is this dangerous? They have had nothing in their cage for almost 7 weeks just hay and their beds and hammock no carrot cottage no cardboard items I feel bad no floor time not many cuddles with kids as the vet suggested keeping them apart for now? I’m worried they are eating the coroplast as they are bored? Irritated with scratching x

 

[Princess Dustmop]

Looks like the brand name for this would be Bravecto ... not sure if there are others, but Bravecto does appear to have a UK site ... guinea pigs are probably offlabel for it; I don't know how that impacts legality in the UK.

 

[Free Ranger]

Try putting a fistful of hay in a brown paper bag - lots of fun and disposable! Ditto cardboard boxes - cut into tunnels or hideys. Bin them after the treatment. Or the inside of a kitchen roll stuffed with hay like a Christmas cracker

 

[Princess Dustmop]

I've also done a piece of newsprint folded into an origami box and filled it with hay; that was a hit ... and then it was a boat, and then it was confetti.

 

[Guineapoops2022]