Mites & Fleece Bedding

[doodlecountry]

I have just treated all 5 of my guinea pigs with Revolution as the vet has given us for mites. It wasn't a serious case, but I had noticed more itching than usual. Otherwise, no other serious symptoms.
However, I put them back in the cage with their original fleece before they were treated because I haven't gotten around to it yet. Is this okay? Will their case of mites still resolve even though I haven't changed their fleece yet? I heard that the mites won't really live on the fleece, but of course there is fur on the fleece so I'm not sure if they will continue to have this problem.

 

[Elthysia]

The treatment will be live for a few days and should kill any live mites (whether on the pig right this moment or not anyway) and you should do a second course of treatment in 2 or 3 weeks which is when any current mites eggs will have hatched - thereby killing the second wave. Without the second course, any eggs laid already will hatch and continue the problem. Not immediately changing fleece is not advisable but realistically should be ok if you clean it in short order eg in the next day or so.

Mites on house pigs I believe usually come from hay (so I’ve heard, I could be wrong!)

 

[Betsy]

You need to give a third and final treatment to get any remaining stragglers.

 

[doodlecountry]

I gave two treatments of diluted ivermectin over the course of two weeks (once a week) and then went to the vet for one of the younger pigs who can't have ivermectin yet. He gave us one dose of revolution for each pig. How long does it take to kick in and see results? Thanks.