Is this true?

[artcasper]

Earlier this year, all 3 piggies had mites, obvious signs so they went off to the vets and were treated etc..

The vet told me that if a pig reacts badly when you touch their back, it is a sign they have them.....

Yesterday, at weigh in/Health check Winny went absolutely MAD when I touched down her spine... I mean proper crying loud and she isn't a diva ... i touched her all over, then went back to the same place and she did the same reaction - felt bad but wanted to know if she was being a diva!

her fur is so thick its so hard to see anything, I am contemplating a lockdown haircut and a vet visit!

 

[Mother Hubbard]

In my experience piggies do show an aversion to being touched or groomed if there is a skin issue. You can naturally understand it if it’s a new piggy and doesn’t like human interaction of stroking but on an already settled pig I would be concerned over the sensitivity.

 

[Wiebke]

Earlier this year, all 3 piggies had mites, obvious signs so they went off to the vets and were treated etc..

The vet told me that if a pig reacts badly when you touch their back, it is a sign they have them.....

Yesterday, at weigh in/Health check Winny went absolutely MAD when I touched down her spine... I mean proper crying loud and she isn't a diva ... i touched her all over, then went back to the same place and she did the same reaction - felt bad but wanted to know if she was being a diva!

her fur is so thick its so hard to see anything, I am contemplating a lockdown haircut and a vet visit!

Hi!

Keep her under observation and see a vet promptly if you spot signs of mange mites. Right now it is still too early for a vet to see any signs and to diagnose anything. As an observant owner you often spot things very early on; but a vet has to make their observations from what they can see and feel. If it is indeed mange mites, you should see increased vigorous scratching (compared to the normal odd scratch) and signs of a bald patch appear over the next days. That is the time when your vet can diagnose and step in with vet grade ivermectin.

Many guinea pigs have a reservoir of eggs sitting in the skin that are normally kept under control by a fully working immune system; they can make an appearance whenever the immune system is not at full speed for some reason.