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Hay mites or dandruff?

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4littlepiggies

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Hi,
After grooming George (my white piggie) recently, i noticed some greyish brown specks on his rump. I though it was dandruff, as his skin is black. Now after looking through threads on this forum, i think it must be mites (hay mites, i think).
I put some of the specks on sellotape as recommended in one of the threads and held it up to the light. I couldn't see any movement, but they looked a bit like the eggs of head lice, so i think it probably is mites.
He's not scratching and seems happy and well. I've checked his 3 pals, and I can't find anything on them.
Should i take him to the vet for a diagnosis, or should i treat him myself? I'm a bit confused as to which treatment to use (Ivermectin or a medicated shampoo)?
Thanks,
Helen.
 
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Hi,
Thanks, yes the specks are in the fur, quite a lot of them on his rump and a few further up his back. His skin looks healthy.
Can you buy the shampoos from the pet shop or vets? Also, should i treat the others too?
Helen.
 
Cupcake has kindly moddelled for you her hitchhikers.
They are hay mites or static mites. They move very slowly towards the skin when you start rumaging around for them. They cling to the hair and don't cause any discomfort to the piggy but when it looks like someones spilt a pepper pot over the back end, I prefer to get rid of the mites just in case.This was a few months ago and I used vetsect shampoo and later johnsons insecticadal spray for small animals.
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George's specks look just like that, so i think he has hitchhikers too!
Can anyone tell me where I can get the spray/shampoo from please?
Thank you,
Helen
 
Lovely, thanks. I got some at the pet shop yesterday. I'm just about to put the heating on before i bath him, it's freezing today!
Helen.
 
Thanks for those pictures! I know its a late reply for al old thread but this has helped me with my girlies :) They are totally black so its hard to see these critters and only noticed with them scratting and after brushing that these small black specs fall off! Have used the spray mentioned above and gorgeous guineas lice n easy :)
 
Thanks to this thread I have found that Dougal has hay mites. I haven't checked the girls yet, but am going to get some of the Johnson's insecticidal spray to try. I only found them whilst cleaning his grease gland and he isn't bothered by them, but I don't want him to have those kinds of friends! :)
 
Please be aware that some members have raised concerns over Johnson's insectical spray.
 
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