Can’t get rid of static mites

[aoifeo30]

Hi, I’m new to the forum and wanted to create a post to seek help regarding my piggie, Ralph. He has had these tiny dots in his fur for almost a year now. I believe they are static mites, as they do not appear to move and are not causing hair loss/skin problems. However, Ralph is constantly grooming and itching himself. I am really disheartened right now as I have tried so many different treatments. I had both my guinea pigs (they live in separate cages) weighed at the vet last week and they gave me Xeno spot on treatment. Ralph is still itching. I have used so many products including Johnson’s mite spray, Gorgeous Guinea’s Lice n’ Easy and so many other spot ons and treatments over the last year. He lost his brother last summer and ever since, things have just been a nightmare with him. I got him a new friend as he was lonely and they ended up in separate cages as the new pig preferred his own company. They are now side by side in separate cages but I beat myself up thinking that Ralph is unhappy, and the mites are really getting me down. Does anyone know how to get rid of the nasty things completely? Thanks so much

 

[aoifeo30]

I also want to add that I feel there is such a lack of knowledge in the vets near me regarding guinea pigs and their needs. When Ralph’s brother was sick last year, I feel that his death would have been preventable had the vets provided me with adequate treatment: I paid such a large bill for them to do virtually nothing to help. I still believe he was misdiagnosed as having conjunctivitis when in reality he needed antibiotics for a URI. I feel quite alone when there’s anything wrong with the poor things. Thanks so much in advance for any help

 

[Siikibam]

How many treatments of xeno have they said he should have? I’m not too sure about mites so I’ll tag @VickiA @Piggies&buns @PigglePuggle Also have a loo

When you say the other piggy preferred his own company what do you mean? How were they together when it comes to behaviour etc?

Vet Locator

 

[aoifeo30]

How many treatments of xeno have they said he should have? I’m not too sure about mites so I’ll tag @VickiA @Piggies&buns @PigglePuggle Also have a loo

When you say the other piggy preferred his own company what do you mean? How were they together when it comes to behaviour etc?

Vet Locator

Hi! Thanks so much for your reply. They just gave one pippette of Xeno for each pig. I asked about re-treating him 7-10 days later and they said to go back for more if they remain. It’s just been a constant struggle to find somebody who can treat them effectively. I introduced the two piggies on neutral grounds while the new pig (Eeyore) was just 12 weeks old. Ralph was quite unbothered by him but the baby was constantly at Ralph, chasing him, rumbling, teeth chattering, biting his fur. I thought this was fine for an introduction, but after a few floor sessions, I didn’t trust them together. Eeyore was very territorial, he basically didn’t want Ralph near him after a while or there would be a scrap. After a few times out together, they ended up in a bit of a mess. I had to separate them from fighting and Ralph ended up with a bite and hair missing from his back. After losing his brother, the last thing I wanted was for him to get hurt. So they now live next to each other where they chat and see each other through the bars. Even still Eeyore will rumble at him and bite the bars when Ralph says hello.
I can sit them next to each other on my lap for a while before Eeyore eventually gets fed up.

 

[PigglePuggle]

Hi, the first thing you need to do is get the vet to take some fur and skin samples to actually confirm a fiagnosis- whether this is mites, a fungal infection, a bacterial skin infection, or just dry irritated skin.
Unfortunately if you have been home treating on spec with over the counter products, it is possible that you have inadvertently set up the exact set of conditions where mites become resistant to the treatments
The correct treatment for mites in an adult piggy weighing over 1kg is 3 doses of Xeno 450 given 2 weeks apart- so a 6 week course of treatment. Younger/smaller piggies may need Xeno 50 but probably more than 1 pipette full each time- the dosage is by piggy weight. After each dose, deep clean the cage, throw away any cardboard furniture, hot wash any fleeces, clean the cage and any wooden furniture with F10 disinfectant.
But really it is so easy for a vet to check for mites under the microscope that you should really insist on getting a confirmed diagnosis!

 

[Siikibam]

As an aside, don’t have them on lap time together. Once you’ve decided to separate then you need to keep them separate permanently. That means no supervised lap or floor time. Complete separation at all times.