if you suspect he has hay mites, then you need to go to a vet for a proper diagnosis and correct course of prescription strength treatment.
New guinea pigs: Sexing, vet checks&customer rights, URI, ringworm and parasites
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Is this blockage behavior?
- Thread starter GuineaInTX
- Start date
if you suspect he has hay mites, then you need to go to a vet for a proper diagnosis and correct course of prescription strength treatment.
New guinea pigs: Sexing, vet checks&customer rights, URI, ringworm and parasites
Free Ranger
Forum Donator 2023/24
We are able to get a spot-on ivermectin treatment here from the vets. That way you don't need to give them baths... their skin is delicate. It just goes onto the skin (like behind the ears) and soaks in - repeated after 2 weeks and then again after another 2 because it kills live mites but not eggs so you have to wait for them to hatch out. If he has a cage mate get them treated together or they just get passed back and forth!
Are his paper-eating problems over?
Are his paper-eating problems over?
GuineaInTX
New Born Pup
Yes, thank you for asking! After two months of probiotics, his stools have firmed up and he no longer eats any type of paper or inedible material! He still has stinky farts despite us cutting out veggies for a bit, so I guess that's something that he'll have to deal with haha
GuineaInTX
New Born Pup
Hello again everyone, I hope you and your pigs are safe and healthy.
Ivermectin from the vet worked temporarily but the hay mites returned. After taking this photo, I applied coconut oil and let his shampoo soak in for a few minutes before I rinsed him off and so many black flakes came off! I am hoping this is the end of his hay mite journey. So far so good... I check his hay constantly now.
Ivermectin from the vet worked temporarily but the hay mites returned. After taking this photo, I applied coconut oil and let his shampoo soak in for a few minutes before I rinsed him off and so many black flakes came off! I am hoping this is the end of his hay mite journey. So far so good... I check his hay constantly now.
Hi!
Coconut oil does NOT kill hay mites (chirodiscoides caviae). You need to apply an ivermectin or selamectin based product.
New piggy problems: URI - ringworm - skin parasites
Guinea Lynx :: Fur Mites
Free Ranger
Forum Donator 2023/24
1. Ivermectin dose needs to be repeated after 2 weeks and ideally again after another 2 weeks. If the dose is not repeated any eggs that hatch with just go on to reinfect piggy again and you are back to the start. Ivermectin does not kill the eggs. If it worked initially it's the right stuff - it's just getting the dosage right! If you do that repeat dose after 3 weeks or more any eggs that hatch after the first dose have had time to mature and lay more eggs themselves (I'm pretty sure the life-cycle of mites is 3 weeks) but by repeating after 2 weeks the eggs will have hatched but not had time to reach maturity.
2. If there are other piggies everyone needs to be treated at the same time or they just re-infect each other. This can be expensive... I've had to treat 4 pigs all together and 3 times each, which is 12 tubes of the ivermectin spot-on. Not cheap - but in the end it's pointless treating one that shows symptoms and ignoring their cage mates or neighbours. That will cost more in the long run.
3. A day or two after the spot-on I blitz the cages and wash everything. Fresh bedding/hay. Throw out any cardboard hideys etc. Do this after each treatment.
I've had piggies for 10 years or so and we typically introduce a new adult/older pig when one of ours passes. The only time we've had mite problems is when a new pig brings them in. We've had lovely fresh organic farm hay before and frankly it's been alive with creepy crawlies but although these have caused a problem in the house(!) they've not lived or bred on the piggies. However, I am in the UK and things might be different over there in the States!
Good Luck at the vets (again) x
2. If there are other piggies everyone needs to be treated at the same time or they just re-infect each other. This can be expensive... I've had to treat 4 pigs all together and 3 times each, which is 12 tubes of the ivermectin spot-on. Not cheap - but in the end it's pointless treating one that shows symptoms and ignoring their cage mates or neighbours. That will cost more in the long run.
3. A day or two after the spot-on I blitz the cages and wash everything. Fresh bedding/hay. Throw out any cardboard hideys etc. Do this after each treatment.
I've had piggies for 10 years or so and we typically introduce a new adult/older pig when one of ours passes. The only time we've had mite problems is when a new pig brings them in. We've had lovely fresh organic farm hay before and frankly it's been alive with creepy crawlies but although these have caused a problem in the house(!) they've not lived or bred on the piggies. However, I am in the UK and things might be different over there in the States!
Good Luck at the vets (again) x
GuineaInTX
New Born Pup
Yes, we switched to Kaytee hay
GuineaInTX
New Born Pup
Hello everyone,
Another issue has arisen. Today my piggy was having trouble walking using his back legs. He can walk but it's like a hobble and he loses his balance around the hips and has to realign himself. It's very odd and concerning. Also, his appetite has diminished significantly and he is taking little sips of water. He rushes up to the gate and squeaks when he hears me coming, so I offer him food but he gives it a sniff and walks away. I checked his teeth and they are fine and his water has vitamin c drops. Interestingly I smelled more urine in his pen. Does anyone have any idea what this is? It happened overnight and I am worried. He is a little over 6 years old now.
Another issue has arisen. Today my piggy was having trouble walking using his back legs. He can walk but it's like a hobble and he loses his balance around the hips and has to realign himself. It's very odd and concerning. Also, his appetite has diminished significantly and he is taking little sips of water. He rushes up to the gate and squeaks when he hears me coming, so I offer him food but he gives it a sniff and walks away. I checked his teeth and they are fine and his water has vitamin c drops. Interestingly I smelled more urine in his pen. Does anyone have any idea what this is? It happened overnight and I am worried. He is a little over 6 years old now.
Please step in and syringe feeding him mushed up pellets or recovery feed.
Only a vet is able to check the teeth as it’s not possible for an owner to see the molars where any dental issues can be
Most importantly, he needs be taken to a vet to have his mobility issues checked.
Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Its not recommended to put vitamin c in their water as it changes the taste of the water and can stop them from drinking (piggies get plenty of vitamin c from a normal hay based diet so routine vit c supplementation is not necessary)
Only a vet is able to check the teeth as it’s not possible for an owner to see the molars where any dental issues can be
Most importantly, he needs be taken to a vet to have his mobility issues checked.
Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Its not recommended to put vitamin c in their water as it changes the taste of the water and can stop them from drinking (piggies get plenty of vitamin c from a normal hay based diet so routine vit c supplementation is not necessary)
Free Ranger
Forum Donator 2023/24
They can get arthritis when they are older - my boy is in the early stages and has daily loxicom as painkiller and anti-inflammatory. But there can also be other reasons so a vet visit is on the cards I'm afraid. Good Luck!
GuineaInTX
New Born Pup
He was diagnosed with an ear infection so he is taking Baytril twice a day and metacam once a day. This is to continue for a week. He started this protocol yesterday. Today both of his back legs gave out and he struggled to stand on all four legs at a time. I mentioned to the veterinarian that he was not pooping. Today he didn't poop or try to eat/drink. I hear gurgling in his stomach when I give him critical care and his probiotic. His eyes are still wide open and he tries to move around but is weak. Any advice?