Black dots on both Guinea pigs

[CLK]

Hello!

I have two Guinea pigs and they have these little black dots on them. I don’t know what it is, but after reading a bunch of forums I’m going to assume they’re mites potentially. However I don’t see them moving around on them. So I’m not quite sure.

Does anyone know where I could get Johnson’s Insecticidal Guinea Pig Shampoo for Mites Lice And Fleas or something similar in the US? I’m having trouble finding anything.

Also if they’re not mites would using any of these shampoos to treat mites harm them?

Thank you!

 

[Wiebke]

Hello!

I have two Guinea pigs and they have these little black dots on them. I don’t know what it is, but after reading a bunch of forums I’m going to assume they’re mites potentially. However I don’t see them moving around on them. So I’m not quite sure.

Does anyone know where I could get Johnson’s Insecticidal Guinea Pig Shampoo for Mites Lice And Fleas or something similar in the US? I’m having trouble finding anything.

Also if they’re not mites would using any of these shampoos to treat mites harm them?

Thank you!

Hi and welcome

How long have you had your guinea pigs?

Are the black dots that are not moving around actually fixed to hairs like tiny beads on a string when you feel them?
In this case, what you are seeing are egg cases of hay mites. Both hay mites and the more aggressive skin burrowing mange mites are invisible to the naked eye.
Please do NOT treat on spec with low dosed pet shop products that are frankly useless in an acute infestation; including the shampoo you have mentioned - it works for about 2 days and then you are back to the old problem. Total waste of money.

The only way to get on top of it is by seeing a vet for vet strength medication NOT from a pet shop.
Please accept that we cannot diagnose sight unseen (nor are we qualified to); we can only show you up potential avenues to pursue.

Here is more detailed practical information on common skin parasites in guinea pigs, their treatment and your customer rights re. reclaiming any vet cost in newly bought guinea pigs: New Guinea Pig Problems: Sexing & Pregnancy; URI, Ringworm & Parasites; Vet Checks & Customer Rights

Here is our new owners helpful how-to information collection, of which is guide is a small part of: Getting Started - Essential Information for New Owners

 

[CLK]

I’ve had them for about 3 years now. They don’t really feel like anything to me. But I itchy after holding them. This was right now, I had just given them a bath earlier today. They typically brush out but then I notice them again. I use to think it was just the hay debris.

Not sure if you can see what I mean in these pictures?

 

[CLK]

I’ve had them for about 3 years now. They don’t really feel like anything to me. But I get itchy after holding them. This was right now, I had just given them a bath earlier today. They typically brush out but then I notice them again. I use to think it was just the hay debris.

Not sure if you can see what I mean in these pictures?
View attachment 201873View attachment 201874View attachment 201875View attachment 201876

 

[Piggies&buns]

Please do see a vet for a hands on check and don’t use any pet shop treatments on spec. As Wiebke has said, such shampoos etc arent going to work - seeing a vet for diagnosis and the correct prescription strength treatment is the only way to deal with any issue effectively

 

[Wiebke]

Hi

They look like potential hay mite eggs to me but they require proper strength treatment. Your home treatment on spec
will never get rid of them.

PLEASE read the link in my first post. There is some really good practical advice in there re. skin parasite treatment, including hay mites but it all hinges on proper medication on top of cutting short the affected hairs to remove all the egg cases - it's radical but it means you will have to get on top of less hay mites, which will still need full-on vet strength medication and not the low dosed stuff pet shops are selling.

 

[CLK]

I’ve had them for about 3 years now. They don’t really feel like anything to me. But I itchy after holding them. This was right now, I had just given them a bath earlier today. They typically brush out but then I notice them again. I use to think it was just the hay debris.

Not sure if you can see what I mean in these pictures?
View attachment 201873View attachment 201874View attachment 201875View attachment 201876

Hi

They look like potential hay mite eggs to me but they require proper strength treatment. Your home treatment on spec
will never get rid of them.

PLEASE read the link in my first post. There is some really good practical advice in there re. skin parasite treatment, including hay mites but it all hinges on proper medication on top of cutting short the affected hairs to remove all the egg cases - it's radical but it means you will have to get on top of less hay mites, which will still need full-on vet strength medication and not the low dosed stuff pet shops are selling.

Will do! Thank you so much

 

[VickiA]

that they look like the cases of hay mites but that you need a proper diagnosis and proper strength treatment from the vets.

 

[CLK]

Does anyone know any good hay that doesn’t come with mites? While I know that’s almost impossible, just wondering if there’s a better brand available. Also with the hay I currently have, is the best method just to microwave each batch of hay I receive prior to giving it to them?

 

[poggle]

What are you currently on, and where are you? (Roughly)

 

[CLK]

Right now I’ve been purchasing the 8 pounds of the high desert Timothy grass hay. I prefer the bigger bulk boxes so I don’t run out as fast. I am located in Massachusetts.

 

[CLK]

Sadly my vet is closed until Monday so I’m over here trying to magnify their hairs. Its definitely something there’s just to much of it to be nothing.

 

[CLK]

After a quick comb through

 

[Princess Dustmop]

It does sound like your piggy has pests, though I can't tell what exactly. I've only dealt with lice once; I could see them, but they were hard to spot and fast. I took my babies to the vet for it, and I was actually the best at finding the lice, though I think it was more a handling matter, so I was showing the techs, since I could find and show quickly enough to spot the little things as they ran. Mites are like a third of the size, so probably just evidence visible rather than actually finding the pests. Anyways, my girls (cagemates ...) were treated with ivermectin, splitting kitten dosage because they were so tiny (we think they came in on one of the two and spread to both). It's weight based, so you need to have a good measurement, and the vet will know the right dosage ... it was easy to apply and my girls tolerated it well, but, of course, it's not something to do without vet consultation.

Hopefully your vet is able to take a look today and get your piggies started on treatment. It will take multiple doses spaced to cover the life cycle if it is mites or lice.

Shampoos may potentially harm your piggy if they're not specifically for piggies. It could irritate their skin more than whatever's already hitching a ride, make diagnosis more difficult without fully treating the issue, or possibly having something toxic to your piggy.


For hay, I've never had any issues with Sweet Meadow hay ... it's even based out of Massachusetts, so it should be readily available to you. We've had good luck with Oxbow, too.

 

[weepweeps]

Hello. The vets will be able to diagnose very quickly and prescribe the correct medication for you. The good news is they are easily treatable. Good luck.

 

[CLK]

Thank you everyone, you’ve all been very helpful! I had to leave a voicemail for the vet today hopefully they will call me back first thing tomorrow so I can book an appointment for these two!

I will go check out the alternative hays that we’re suggested! I wish company’s baked their hay a bit before packaging them. It would certain save a lot of animals from getting these mites. One can only dream though

 

[Free Ranger]

Sometimes things do seem to come out of the blue. We used to get lovely local farm-fresh organic hay that was so popular my (indoor) pigs threw themselves at it! The problem wasn't mites but some other critter that crawled out and infested our house - we had to have the whole place sprayed twice over while the pigs holidayed at my friend's and we stayed in a hotel over the road. I was crying for weeks at the cost. I went to a well-known pet chain here in the UK and asked if their own-brand hay was sprayed with insecticide. The guy looked embarrassed and said, "probably - it's pretty cheap..." and I said, "Right I'll have that one then!" Touch wood, things have been fine every since

 

[CLK]

Sometimes things do seem to come out of the blue. We used to get lovely local farm-fresh organic hay that was so popular my (indoor) pigs threw themselves at it! The problem wasn't mites but some other critter that crawled out and infested our house - we had to have the whole place sprayed twice over while the pigs holidayed at my friend's and we stayed in a hotel over the road. I was crying for weeks at the cost. I went to a well-known pet chain here in the UK and asked if their own-brand hay was sprayed with insecticide. The guy looked embarrassed and said, "probably - it's pretty cheap..." and I said, "Right I'll have that one then!" Touch wood, things have been fine every since

Oh my. That is horrible! I could only imagine it costed an arm and a leg. You got me wanting to inspect every inch of my hay boxes before I bring them inside the house now! I didn’t know they could spray hay with insecticide I’ll have to start checking for that!

 

[Free Ranger]

Most of the time things have been just fine - remember loads of people have indoor pigs and don't get any bug problems!
I think it's just that the organic hay was local and small scale so it didn't have to be stored a long time and bugs that would normally have just died off found a new home in my old, damp house and started to breed! The bugs themselves - once we'd identified them - were everywhere but actually pretty weedy and died off fast. However, we also found we had moths in the carpet at the same time so that was that - the whole house was done.

 

[CLK]

Ugh so annoyed. So all of a sudden the vet that I brought them to prior has a new policy and they don’t take “exotic animals” anymore Now I have to go call around for a new vet. Todays going swell.

 

[CLK]

Could you use this? In the meantime while I hunt for a new vet that accepts “exotic animals” I was wondering if since it’s for birds it would be a safe since birds are delicate too?

 

[Piggies&buns]

No, please do not use that product. It is not the correct ingredients for guinea pig specific mites and is therefore potentially harmful.

 

[CLK]

Oh! Thank you, I had no idea! Is there anything I can potentially treat them with in the meantime that’ll be somewhat helpful? I don’t want them to have to sit with them if they are mites

 

[Piggies&buns]

Oh! Thank you, I had no idea! Is there anything I can potentially treat them with in the meantime that’ll be somewhat helpful? I don’t want them to have to sit with them if they are mites

The issue is that any guinea pig parasite product you can buy in pet shops etc are nowhere near strong enough to deal with mites at all (only vets can prescribe the correct strength product). They may temporarily suppress but will not cure.

New Guinea Pig Problems: Sexing & Pregnancy; URI, Ringworm & Parasites; Vet Checks & Customer Rights

 

[CLK]

I know I just want something in the meantime while I look for a new vet office for them. I feel horrible for them just being idle, having them sit with it.

 

[weepweeps]

I’d wait for two weeks after the last application and then get the Xeno strength from the vets (or online?). And then apply three separate lots two weeks apart.

 

[Princess Dustmop]

There are a number of clinics in massachusetts that do exotics, but they may or may not be taking new exotic clients or may not have openings quickly for them. There are some larger animal hospitals that do exotics, as well. I'm not sure where in Massachusetts you are, but Tufts in Grafton, Angell or Angell West (in JP and Waltham respectively), and VCA South Shore in Weymouth all have exotics vets. They should have regular appointments in addition to emergency. Emergency appointments are more expensive and will involve a lot of sitting and waiting, but you can go for emergency at any time (though I would call and check to make sure the exotics specialist is in and how busy they are first)

 

[Calbearspiggies]

Sometimes things do seem to come out of the blue. We used to get lovely local farm-fresh organic hay that was so popular my (indoor) pigs threw themselves at it! The problem wasn't mites but some other critter that crawled out and infested our house - we had to have the whole place sprayed twice over while the pigs holidayed at my friend's and we stayed in a hotel over the road. I was crying for weeks at the cost. I went to a well-known pet chain here in the UK and asked if their own-brand hay was sprayed with insecticide. The guy looked embarrassed and said, "probably - it's pretty cheap..." and I said, "Right I'll have that one then!" Touch wood, things have been fine every since

Yikes!may I ask what critter decided to do a home invasion? I’ve been pondering getting posh hay for my boys but I am not interested in also getting a million other little pets in the process! Oh dear - I am so sorry you had to go through all that!

 

[Free Ranger]

It was something called 'bark lice' we think. They can sometimes hibernate in hay stalks but you have to have just the right conditions in your house for them to breed. They looked a bit like the 'Springtails' you commonly see in the garden (if you have your glasses on as they are only a couple of mm long!) but springtails leap away if you poke them and these didn't jump, they just pootled about. We found out later that they only cause a problem in damp houses and we have a very old one! They are veggie and avoid people and animals - they graze on algae that grows on damp dust so I felt really great about my housekeeping skills. They didn't swarm but I kept seeing them here and there... only downstairs as they crawled over the smooth floors. They couldn't cope with carpet. The pest guys didn't know what they were and didn't care! They are actually quite fragile and it turns out I could have just sprayed round the edges of the rooms with 'Insectrol' spray (active ingredient Permethrin - toxic to cats so be careful). Most people don't have a problem with posh hay. Don't worry

 

[Lenny&Link]

I use the High Desert Timothy Grass hay too. Please keep us updated on what the vet says and if you decide to switch hay, I'd be interested in knowing which one you switch to. I really want to avoid getting any pests!