Itchy patch of skin

[Perkypanda]

Hi. My Hetty has always got a patch on her back which she scratches or bites so results in a patch of stubble hair. She has been to the vets and they couldn’t see anything wrong, said she was very healthy and suggested it could be a habit. A few days ago I noticed she has cut herself there so I got some Leucillin just to keep the wound clean and help it to heal. She is fine with me touching the area, there are no flakes or sign of mites. But unfortunately, now the smell seems to have attracted Millie who has been licking or nibbling her back. I put some on my finger to check it was the antiseptic and the wound wasn’t caused by her, although they are well bonded, and she came straight over and started to lick me too.
I’m not sure what to do next. Hetty is fine in herself. She is eating, eyes are bright, there is no sign of mites etc but clearly she has been scratching again. The vet did mention getting Xeno 50 which I haven’t yet - has anyone used that?

 

[Piggies&buns]

I would actually look to consider whether this may be mange mites. I can see what appears to be the classic v shape indicative of mange mites.

Xeno 50 is too weak dosed for adult pigs - you need xeno 450 and then adjust it for weight.

 

[Perkypanda]

Thanks. She specifically told me Xeno 50 and showed me on the website as she said it was cheaper for me to get it. They don’t have the 450 in stock.
She looked for mange mites etc and couldn’t find anything but I agree she does have the V shape. She has always had it (I got her in Feb).

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thanks. She specifically told me Xeno 50 and showed me on the website as she said it was cheaper for me to get it. They don’t have the 450 in stock.
She looked for mange mites etc and couldn’t find anything but I agree she does have the V shape. She has always had it (I got her in Feb).

So she’s looked under a microscope - If it definitely isn’t mange mites then it is rather a tricky situation to know what to do.

How old is she and what is her weight?
50 is right for youngsters but not for adults. 450 is used and then weight adjusted ie a pig under the weight will not need a full pipette, but as it is stronger it does the job better than 50 will.
You may also need multiple pipettes of the 50 for one dose (and three separate doses with two weeks between each dose is needed for a full course) so it can cost more in the long run.

The choice is of course yours and you need to do what you are happy with.

 

[Perkypanda]

She is 11 months. She weighs roughly 1000g. Normally between 990 and 1050 depending on time of the day etc. Think she is naturally petite as her face, ears etc are all just smaller than my chunky Millie.
I might take her back to the vet but the course of Xeno they said they would do was double the price and the same as the one she showed me (50). If it were mange would my other piggy be showing signs too as Millie doesn’t have anything like that.

 

[Perkypanda]

Just looked up Xeno 450 and there’s a uk shortage which means no stock until April 2025.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Ah, 50 it is then!
50 And 450 aren’t the same - the concentration is different.

Check the weights on it - 50 always used to be up to something like 800g meaning you need multiple pipettes per dose (so basically doubled the amount of pipettes needed for the full three treatments) if the piggy was over that weight.
450 started at something like 1200g meaning it was always better for the concentration to use part of 450 than multiple 50 per dose for a piggy between the two weight cut offs (800 and 1200g - whatever the packaging said).

No the other wouldn’t necessarily be showing it.
They can have reservoirs of mange mites for a very long time but all kept in check by the immune system. Something can then happen to allow the mites to take hold and an infestation can occur at any time: this means that the other piggy is not necessarily going to get it is her immune system is fending them off.

 

[Perkypanda]

Thanks for the advice and explaining it all.

 

[weepweeps]

Hi. My Hetty has always got a patch on her back which she scratches or bites so results in a patch of stubble hair. She has been to the vets and they couldn’t see anything wrong, said she was very healthy and suggested it could be a habit. A few days ago I noticed she has cut herself there so I got some Leucillin just to keep the wound clean and help it to heal. She is fine with me touching the area, there are no flakes or sign of mites. But unfortunately, now the smell seems to have attracted Millie who has been licking or nibbling her back. I put some on my finger to check it was the antiseptic and the wound wasn’t caused by her, although they are well bonded, and she came straight over and started to lick me too.
I’m not sure what to do next. Hetty is fine in herself. She is eating, eyes are bright, there is no sign of mites etc but clearly she has been scratching again. The vet did mention getting Xeno 50 which I haven’t yet - has anyone used that?

What an innocent face.

I hope she is soon on the mend

 

[Perkypanda]

So I looked again online. I can get Xeno 50. Or I can get the two in the picture. Xeno 450 is out of stock until April due to a shortage.
Which would people recommend?

 

[Piggies&buns]

I would personally stick with xeno.
We as a forum Know of it and most of us will have used it at some point.
The brand in the picture only comes up in one other thread when searched.
If you were to want to use the one in the picture, you would probably be wise to look into concentrations and check it with your vet prior to use - it’s not one which I have any personal experience of and given there aren’t threads on it, I’m not sure many other members do either - to be sure what you are giving is comparable and not a low dosed pet shop type product

 

[Perkypanda]

Thanks. It does say it’s vets strength but I can’t seem to find the strength of Xeno 50. Wondered if it was just a different brand as the active ingredient is the same. Like Panadol is basically just paracetamol but like 10x the price.
Thanks anyway though.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thanks. It does say it’s vets strength but I can’t seem to find the strength of Xeno 50. Wondered if it was just a different brand as the active ingredient is the same. Like Panadol is basically just paracetamol but like 10x the price.
Thanks anyway though.

They will all contain ivermectin but it’s the concentration which is the important factor ie pet shop parasite products still contain ivermectin but they are low dosed that they aren’t fully effective, users can find the parasites either aren’t treated or are suppressed and then come back in the weeks after treatment stops. That then leads to resistance and means treating mites is becoming harder