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Ivermectin

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boarding service

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I used xeno 450 on my elderly piggies mica (7 years) and seth (10 years) problem is it causes mica to fit and seth to take strokes, I talked to the vet and he basically laughed at me saying that there is no other treatment and to deal with the consequences, I said to the vet that seth was under 800 grams, he said to put the spot on on anyway, would this be the cause of the stroke, I clean out my piggies every day now, and boil their bedding, is there any other treatment I can use I was thinking about the lice'n'easy shampoo, has anyone used this before and is it any good, and I have heard that using advantage spot on is effective is this ok to use in piggies.

Please help thank you
 
just been to see how seth is he is completely paralysed, he can move his head but his body feels stiff, he can move his back legs slightly, oh the vets I took him to was vets4pets in livingston.
 
Ivermectin won't kill lice as they don't bite the skin like mites do and best option is to bathe them. Lice n easy shampoo is great for lice as kills them in a two week period first wash the adults and second the babies that have hatched. Another option is lice and mite spray. I'm concerned about Seth though doesn't sound good at all and I think you need to change vets as poor advice and caused you heartache. If he has had a stroke then you need to keep him warm and make sure he is hydrated, you really need to see a vet with him as soon as possible. Have you tried the vet locator on here?
 
I am moving all my piggies to Apex Vets in Denny as I know the vets there. I am also complaining about vets4pets as they actually told me they put guinea pigs to sleep because they do not know how to treat them.
 
Oh god yes definitely change your vet. Hope Seth is ok, I have known of a few other pigs have a reaction to spot on though am unsure if that has caused the stroke this time. Ivermectin can be given orally the by the vet or by injection too using a product called Panomec which is the injectible form. My vets know I won't let spot on anywhere near my pigs and give me the injections when needed. Like Rodentopia says though, if it is lice then bathing is needed instead.

Really hope Seth is ok, is the other boy ok too?
 
I'm not sure about the question, sorry. But, you have a 10 year old piggie? That's absolutely amazing :)
 
Apex vets great- see Glenn - you will be in the best and most experienced piggie hands. Fitting/strokes could be down to sarcoptic mange mites which he may have in addition to the lice. Or it could be to an overdose of the ivermectin...i.e. too much for the weight...or allergy to ivermectin

First thing is to get a full diagnosis from Glenn on the current and most serious condition - which will prob be the paralysis etc and not the parasites.

(Doramectin injections may be the way forwards if there are still parasites to deal with) - however first priority is you need to stabilise both Seth and Mica first from the fits/strokes/paralysis.

0steocare may help - please discuss with Glenn as he is very knowledgable about piggies.

x
 
If he is under 800gms then xeno 450 is too strong as it is for 800gms upwards and he should have been given xeno 50. Sorry you've had bad advice hope he recovers soon!
 
Just thought I'd put this up for general information and to clear up a bit of confusion for anyone in the future who comes across this thread:

GUINEA PIG ECTOPARASITES
  • The most common louse affecting guinea pigs is the slender louse Gliricola porcelli. Less common is the oval guinea pig louse Gyropus ovalis. Neither of them are a blood-sucking (Anopluran) louse, they are both a biting (Mallophagic) louse - i.e. feeding off secretions obtained by abrading the skin.
  • These lice are visible to the naked eye and not to be confused with the two types of Fur mites Chirodiscoides caviae (also known as "Static Lice" and considered harmless) and Cheyletiella parasitivorax (a biting mite also known as "Walking Dandruff") which are difficult to see. Finally there is also the invisible burrowing, selnic mite Trixacarus caviae which causes sarcoptic mange, resulting in fitting and can kill if not treated.

IVERMECTIN
  • Ivermectin if applied topically (ie spot-on, xeno etc ) WILL kill lice as well as mites- in fact it has now been licensed for treatment of human head lice by the US FDA. There is however the risk of an allergic reaction or harm from overdosing. (Xeno 450 is for pigs 800g upwards and should be applied every 7-10 days so if your piggies were under 800g and you still applied a full pipette then it could well be a reaction to too much ivermectin - the good news is that it is thought there is no long term effect from a mild overdose)
  • Ivermectin given orally or by injection enters the bloodstream and is therefore not an effective way of treating biting lice or fur mites. It is however a more effective way of dealing with an active infection of blood-sucking parasites or e.g. sarcoptic mange mites than using a topical preparation. You still however have the same issues of allergy or overdosing.
  • Some insects are developing resistance to ivermectin - my vet often uses doramectin injections for confirmed mange mite cases.


This is why it is important to get a vet to diagnose exactly what type of parasite(s) your piggie has - by using a piece of sticky tape and examining under a microscope - (or skin scraping if sarcoptic mange mite is suspected) because this will determine the best route of administration and dose of ivermectin. A piggie may have visible lice - but it could also have fur mites and/or mange mites as well.

  • Running lice (but not mites) in guinea pigs can also be treated with Advantage (imidacloprid) although this is not licensed for guinea pigs so consult a vet before using it. I would not recommend any type of insect spray as it can be harmful to a piggy's little lungs and may contain other toxic insecticides.
  • Shampoo with Vetsect or Lice n Easy at least 48 hours either before or after any spot-on treatment to help get rid of the insect debris as this can irritate the skin. If your pig is allergic to ivermectin then bathing (with or without Advantage) are the alternative options.
  • An ectoparaste infection indicates the guinea pig's immune system is low and extra Vit C can also help.
  • Good husbandry and through cleaning/disinfection of everything that has come into contact with the affected guinea pigs is essential

Keeping paws crossed that both Seth and Mica make a full recovery.
x
 
Pebble said:
Just thought I'd put this up for general information and to clear up a bit of confusion for anyone in the future who comes across this thread:

GUINEA PIG ECTOPARASITES
  • The most common louse affecting guinea pigs is the slender louse Gliricola porcelli. Less common is the oval guinea pig louse Gyropus ovalis. Neither of them are a blood-sucking (Anopluran) louse, they are both a biting (Mallophagic) louse - i.e. feeding off secretions obtained by abrading the skin.
  • These lice are visible to the naked eye and not to be confused with the two types of Fur mites Chirodiscoides caviae (also known as "Static Lice" and considered harmless) and Cheyletiella parasitivorax (a biting mite also known as "Walking Dandruff") which are difficult to see. Finally there is also the invisible burrowing, selnic mite Trixacarus caviae which causes sarcoptic mange, resulting in fitting and can kill if not treated.
IVERMECTIN
  • Ivermectin if applied topically (ie spot-on, xeno etc ) WILL kill lice as well as mites- in fact it has now been licensed for treatment of human head lice by the US FDA. There is however the risk of an allergic reaction or harm from overdosing. (Xeno 450 is for pigs 800g upwards and should be applied every 7-10 days so if your piggies were under 800g and you still applied a full pipette then it could well be a reaction to too much ivermectin - the good news is that it is thought there is no long term effect from a mild overdose)
  • Ivermectin given orally or by injection enters the bloodstream and is therefore not an effective way of treating biting lice or fur mites. It is however a more effective way of dealing with an active infection of blood-sucking parasites or e.g. sarcoptic mange mites than using a topical preparation. You still however have the same issues of allergy or overdosing.
  • Some insects are developing resistance to ivermectin - my vet often uses doramectin injections for confirmed mange mite cases.

This is why it is important to get a vet to diagnose exactly what type of parasite(s) your piggie has - by using a piece of sticky tape and examining under a microscope - (or skin scraping if sarcoptic mange mite is suspected) because this will determine the best route of administration and dose of ivermectin. A piggie may have visible lice - but it could also have fur mites and/or mange mites as well.

  • Running lice (but not mites) in guinea pigs can also be treated with Advantage (imidacloprid) although this is not licensed for guinea pigs so consult a vet before using it. I would not recommend any type of insect spray as it can be harmful to a piggy's little lungs and may contain other toxic insecticides.
  • Shampoo with Vetsect or Lice n Easy at least 48 hours either before or after any spot-on treatment to help get rid of the insect debris as this can irritate the skin. If your pig is allergic to ivermectin then bathing (with or without Advantage) are the alternative options.
  • An ectoparaste infection indicates the guinea pig's immune system is low and extra Vit C can also help.
  • Good husbandry and through cleaning/disinfection of everything that has come into contact with the affected guinea pigs is essential

Keeping paws crossed that both Seth and Mica make a full recovery.
x
Click to expand...
with the parasites that invade furries could skinnies get exactly all those?
 
hi everyone thanx for the information, mica is fine, the spot on did not work and the lice are still there, but i have a lice spay, seth is still eating, he is moving his legs slightly more than before, I have been doing hydrotherapy with him, he still seems happy, had to remove him from mica as he was so protective of seth he kept sitting on his face, i was scared he would sufficate him, i am making seth an appointment to see glenn, I have seen glenn in the past. thank you for all the healing vibes. x
 
Pebble said:
Just thought I'd put this up for general information and to clear up a bit of confusion for anyone in the future who comes across this thread:

GUINEA PIG ECTOPARASITES
  • The most common louse affecting guinea pigs is the slender louse Gliricola porcelli. Less common is the oval guinea pig louse Gyropus ovalis. Neither of them are a blood-sucking (Anopluran) louse, they are both a biting (Mallophagic) louse - i.e. feeding off secretions obtained by abrading the skin.
  • These lice are visible to the naked eye and not to be confused with the two types of Fur mites Chirodiscoides caviae (also known as "Static Lice" and considered harmless) and Cheyletiella parasitivorax (a biting mite also known as "Walking Dandruff") which are difficult to see. Finally there is also the invisible burrowing, selnic mite Trixacarus caviae which causes sarcoptic mange, resulting in fitting and can kill if not treated.
IVERMECTIN
  • Ivermectin if applied topically (ie spot-on, xeno etc ) WILL kill lice as well as mites- in fact it has now been licensed for treatment of human head lice by the US FDA. There is however the risk of an allergic reaction or harm from overdosing. (Xeno 450 is for pigs 800g upwards and should be applied every 7-10 days so if your piggies were under 800g and you still applied a full pipette then it could well be a reaction to too much ivermectin - the good news is that it is thought there is no long term effect from a mild overdose)
  • Ivermectin given orally or by injection enters the bloodstream and is therefore not an effective way of treating biting lice or fur mites. It is however a more effective way of dealing with an active infection of blood-sucking parasites or e.g. sarcoptic mange mites than using a topical preparation. You still however have the same issues of allergy or overdosing.
  • Some insects are developing resistance to ivermectin - my vet often uses doramectin injections for confirmed mange mite cases.

This is why it is important to get a vet to diagnose exactly what type of parasite(s) your piggie has - by using a piece of sticky tape and examining under a microscope - (or skin scraping if sarcoptic mange mite is suspected) because this will determine the best route of administration and dose of ivermectin. A piggie may have visible lice - but it could also have fur mites and/or mange mites as well.

  • Running lice (but not mites) in guinea pigs can also be treated with Advantage (imidacloprid) although this is not licensed for guinea pigs so consult a vet before using it. I would not recommend any type of insect spray as it can be harmful to a piggy's little lungs and may contain other toxic insecticides.
  • Shampoo with Vetsect or Lice n Easy at least 48 hours either before or after any spot-on treatment to help get rid of the insect debris as this can irritate the skin. If your pig is allergic to ivermectin then bathing (with or without Advantage) are the alternative options.
  • An ectoparaste infection indicates the guinea pig's immune system is low and extra Vit C can also help.
  • Good husbandry and through cleaning/disinfection of everything that has come into contact with the affected guinea pigs is essential

Keeping paws crossed that both Seth and Mica make a full recovery.
x
Click to expand...

My understanding is that static lice are not harmless and need to be treated with a good parasitic shampoo. While I was at the CCT guinea hospital recently, there was a patient who was riddled with them and had a huge lump underneath his neck. Turns out this was an enlarged lymph gland due to an allergic reaction to the lice, which may have killed him. Interestingly, I have found that although ivermectin doesn't kill Chirocdiscoides, a insecticide cage spray will do the trick (treating the cage not the pig!).
 
Wishing you all the best for Seth! He is a grand old age!
 
hi everyone thanx for all the lovely comments, unfortunately my wee old man seth died today, i had an appointment to see another vet glenn but it was too late, he is no longer suffering, thanx again, seth can play with all the other piggies on the rainbow bridge, good night my sweet boy.
 
I boil the fleece bedding I give as bedding to all my sick, old or young piggies, or boarders that are in, an during the winter they all get the bedding.
we make bedding from fleece, pet blankets, old curtains, sheets, pillow cases. we have paper as a base, on top is the material bedding, hay, during the summer piggies get paper and hay as a bed.

I boil them in the washing machine at 90 degrees.
 
I'm really sorry for your loss. It must be so distressing when you've really tried to get him well. R.I.P. Seth. xx
 
Really sorry for the loss of Seth

Sleep well little one x
 
@boarding service please see this link

" flea and tick" wash by the company called " Paragon " if you go to the website www.halononbio.co.uk and then chose " halo approves" you can buy it from there. The old bottles were 1 litre these unfortunately are only 500ml but you only need a tiny amount and it is still the great same product! Gorgeous Guineas blog recommends it here : http://gorgeousguineas.com/blog/halo/




you can buy it here. I called them when I hadn't realised it had changed and they hadn't let customers know the nice guy there emailed me a 30% off coupon as an apology! Great for us allergy sufferers too. It really does work.http://www.halononbio.co.uk/halo-approved/halo-flea-and-mite-lauundry-detergent-500ml
Works on a 30 degree wash to kill any germs and lice etc.

Sleep well little Seth. xx
 
This is all new to me lice/ mites!
How do you know if they have anything? I clean their run and hutchmost days taking out the solid hay/ removing pooh. Then once a week I disinfect their living space with homemade disinfectant . We handle our piggies all the time ( had them three weeks now) I have a few bites on my leg . I'm pronone to being bitten anyway could these be anything to do with our piggies?
Any advise would be great
 
lice are really easy to spot, as they move around, you can see them just part your piggies hair, mites are harder, you cannot see them, are there any bald spots on your piggies, I have been told from a breeder that as the piggies get older they can react badly to certain medications, but I am getting my piggies the injection if needed, but if you are wanting to be sure that your piggies do not have mites, lice you can use xeno 450, please ask your vet, mites, lice can be in bedding, like straw, hay, sawdust, anything really, I clean out my boys and girl everyday, and just like yourself I disinfect all my cages once a week, with the lice, all fleece bedding and cloths used to clean out cages are boiled at 90 degrees in the washing machine. All the lice in my house are all dead now and I have happier pets, I really miss my wee old man seth though, he was the firsst one to shout for his veg. good luck, and please do not think you are doing anything wrong, you are doing great Ruby's Cafe.
 
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