Again with BLOODY MANGE MITES

[Queenjellybeany]

Hi all.

I'm back here with yet another update on my guinea pig and her terrible mite infection.

I visited Northampton yesterday to a vet you all reccomended. They were really kind but the appointment was kinda difficult of course due to covid so I had to drop my pigs off into a waiting room for them to be seen alone.
They basically gave her a mite injection (yesterday 1pm) and gave me some meds to give her for now.

She was doing really well today and yesterday, however yet again this evening I've ended up with another bloody cut on her cheek...
I'm just feeling tired now and like I've ran out of solutions. Has anyone else experienced this and will the mites actually go due to the injection? I'm unsure how long to wait before going back again?

I was also given a liquid medication (Loxicom) which I've had to give her twice a day. She also prescribed a drug called Matbocyl and said to only give it her if she's struggling in about 3 days as she said this drug can harm the stomach lining of some pigs so it's sort of last resort? I'm super worried about that effecting her now too :'(

I know it sounds silly but I'm just so tired now of seeing my poor piggie cutting herself, I feel like I'm doing everything I can and just want her better already! She's such a young pig and it's so unfair. If anyone could give me any advice that would be great, even if someone has just been through something similar it would really ease my mind.

Couldn't really get a good picture of the fresh wound (sorry for gore) but as you can see she's happily eating from her bowl. She's totally fine if she's eating, playing or out of the cage but as soon as it's the evening and I'm leaving them alone that's when it seems to appear.

Thank you.

- Ellie

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all.

I'm back here with yet another update on my guinea pig and her terrible mite infection.

I visited Northampton yesterday to a vet you all reccomended. They were really kind but the appointment was kinda difficult of course due to covid so I had to drop my pigs off into a waiting room for them to be seen alone.
They basically gave her a mite injection (yesterday 1pm) and gave me some meds to give her for now.

She was doing really well today and yesterday, however yet again this evening I've ended up with another bloody cut on her cheek...
I'm just feeling tired now and like I've ran out of solutions. Has anyone else experienced this and will the mites actually go due to the injection? I'm unsure how long to wait before going back again?

I was also given a liquid medication (Loxicom) which I've had to give her twice a day. She also prescribed a drug called Matbocyl and said to only give it her if she's struggling in about 3 days as she said this drug can harm the stomach lining of some pigs so it's sort of last resort? I'm super worried about that effecting her now too :'(

I know it sounds silly but I'm just so tired now of seeing my poor piggie cutting herself, I feel like I'm doing everything I can and just want her better already! She's such a young pig and it's so unfair. If anyone could give me any advice that would be great, even if someone has just been through something similar it would really ease my mind.

Couldn't really get a good picture of the fresh wound (sorry for gore) but as you can see she's happily eating from her bowl. She's totally fine if she's eating, playing or out of the cage but as soon as it's the evening and I'm leaving them alone that's when it seems to appear.

Thank you.

- Ellie

Hi!

I am very sorry that it is such a bad case.

You will need more injections but they are the most effective way to get on top of a severe mites case. Please accept that it takes about two days for the ivermectin injection to get to work fully. Until then it is still the same.
Severe cases as yours are unfortunately not a quick and easy procedure and can take it really out of you.
I would strongly recommend that you contact the clinic tomorrow and ask to speak to the treating vet as to her further treatment.

I would also strongly repeat my recommendation that you speak to Sue Tate from Cavy Corner Guinea Pig Sanctuary and Rescue for practical advice on caring for a guinea pig with a severe mites infestation. She's got plenty of the little practical how to tips that we lack since severe mange mites infestations are rare in well kept pet piggies and much more commonly seen in new rescue intakes.
Cavy Corner

I would also kindly ask you to please keep to a single ongoing support thread and not start a new thread every time. We do this unpaid in our free time so not everybody is around all the time and sees all threads. If an ongoing case is kept together at least we have a chance to catch up. Otherwise you'll just take your potluck of getting confusing or repetitive advice as the people answering are not necessarily aware of all developments. Thank you!

@furryfriends (TEAS)

 

[Queenjellybeany]

Hi!

I am very sorry that it is such a bad case.

You will need more injections but they are the most effective way to get on top of a severe mites case. Please accept that it takes about two days for the ivermectin injection to get to work fully. Until then it is still the same.
Severe cases as yours are unfortunately not a quick and easy procedure and can take it really out of you.
I would strongly recommend that you contact the clinic tomorrow and ask to speak to the treating vet as to her further treatment.

I would also strongly repeat my recommendation that you speak to Sue Tate from Cavy Corner Guinea Pig Sanctuary and Rescue for practical advice on caring for a guinea pig with a severe mites infestation. She's got plenty of the little practical how to tips that we lack since severe mange mites infestations are rare in well kept pet piggies and much more commonly seen in new rescue intakes.
Cavy Corner

I would also kindly ask you to please keep to a single ongoing support thread and not start a new thread every time. We do this unpaid in our free time so not everybody is around all the time and sees all threads. If an ongoing case is kept together at least we have a chance to catch up. Otherwise you'll just take your potluck of getting confusing or repetitive advice as the people answering are not necessarily aware of all developments. Thank you!

@furryfriends (TEAS)

Oh I'm so sorry didn't think of this! I've messaged Sue and I'll call back to the vets tomorrow I was just hoping someone may have dealt with something similar, it seems so strange as there cage is always kept so clean and the vet said she's healthy in herself... It's shocking how severe they are!

Yes she has to go in for another injection in two weeks.
Thank you for the tips

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

They display worse symptoms, in the first few days after having the injection for the mites, as the irritation worsens, due to the movement of the mites, as they die. If you have any concerns about anything, please ring the practice, as they are so helpful and will speak to the vet on your behalf.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Just to add, please stick to the treatment regime that the vet has suggested, rather than getting advice and treatment options, from other, not veterinary, people. If someone offers other advice, please run it by the vets first, as it could interfere with the treatment your guinea pig is already receiving. You have gone to the best vets, so please liaise with them, regarding any concerns. It does take time, but you will get there!

 

[Queenjellybeany]

Came down this morning to even worse cuts. It's like a whole chunk of skin has come off and I'm so beyond upset and frustrated. She's going to the vets again to see Simon at 4:40 (only appointment I could get) so will have to wait and see. She's completely unbothered by it, eating and drinking and playing like nothing's wrong.

I'm sticking to the meds she's on and will keep my trust in the vets thank you I'll update what the solution is it's just the most horrible thing ever.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Came down this morning to even worse cuts. It's like a whole chunk of skin has come off and I'm so beyond upset and frustrated. She's going to the vets again to see Simon at 4:40 (only appointment I could get) so will have to wait and see. She's completely unbothered by it, eating and drinking and playing like nothing's wrong.

I'm sticking to the meds she's on and will keep my trust in the vets thank you I'll update what the solution is it's just the most horrible thing ever.

It's good that she isn't bothered and still eating well. I've treated piggies, with severe mites, here at TEAS, over the years, very successfully, with the help of Simon and Kim. However, they do get worse, before they get better, as although the irritation worsens, as the mites die off, it shows that the treatment is working!

It's so difficult, at the moment, not being able to go in at the vets! I really hope that this will change soon!

 

[Rivervixen]

So sorry you’re going through this, lots of love to you and your piggie x x

 

[Queenjellybeany]

It's good that she isn't bothered and still eating well. I've treated piggies, with severe mites, here at TEAS, over the years, very successfully, with the help of Simon and Kim. However, they do get worse, before they get better, as although the irritation worsens, as the mites die off, it shows that the treatment is working!

It's so difficult, at the moment, not being able to go in at the vets! I really hope that this will change soon!

Awe thank you that really eased my mind I'm beside myself with worry atm! I'm sure shell get all the care she needs at her appointment today but I just want my normal piggie back haha!

 

[Claire W]

I’m so sorry that you’re going through this I am sending lots of healing vibes to your piggy x

 

[artcasper]

aww poor little thing and poor you... horrible situation to be in, i really hope this course of treatment works x

 

[Queenjellybeany]

Just wanted to give an update!

Just want to say thank you for all of you being so kind and sending suggestions. Yen went again to the vets with Simon and he was super kind and helpful!

Unfortunately with her wounds there wasn't anything they could do to treat them, he advised against using any creams to help it heal and to just allow it to heal naturally (as if I put cream on her that draws more attention to the wound and really just makes her want to scratch and bite it more). He cut her nails as far down as he could and she is having a second anti mite injection in a few days. (It was going to be in another week but since she's got a bad reaction to mites he moved it forward to help her out!)

As of the past few days she's really turned a corner and I'm SO happy! She is still scratching now and again but not to the point of pain or bleeding and all her wounds are drying up nicely so I'm very happy with her progress!

I thought I should write an update in case anyone has the same issue I did and searches for help on her. He also reccomended to NOT handle her, but instead to keep her occupied with different food through out the day and plenty of floor time so she can take her mind off her itchiness by running and playing....

Thank you again!

 

[Siikibam]

That’s good to hear. Hopefully she will recover well.

 

[Claire W]

I am so pleased for you both. Hopefully she will continue to recover well x

 

[artcasper]

Sounds positive.... let's hope she feels better real soon...

 

[GPTV]

Sorry I completely missed this, but when my Squiggle had mange mites she had the (Ivermectin) xeno450 spot on from the vets, she also as furryfriends said, got worse before she got better due to the mites dying/moving under the skin.

The vet did warn me this would happen though

Squiggle had in total 3 doses of the drops to kill off any eggs or juveniles that hatched between doses. It took 3-4 wks in total, but they're all back to normal now.

Oh & I had all my 4 girls treated at the same time as they would just pass the mites back & forth endlessly otherwise!
So make sure all of your gorgeous girls companions are treated too as it looks like there's more than one Guinea xx

So glad to hear she's improving

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Great news!

 

[VickiA]

Glad to hear things are moving in the right direction.

 

[eileen]

so pleased for you and your piggie.