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Parasite treatment advice welcome! X

Josie_lg

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hello all,
Just wanted to pop on and ask for some advice about the spot on parasite treatment I’ve got to use on my piggies. It contains ivermectin and is called “beaphar anti-parasite treatment” it’s for rabbits, Guinea pigs, ferrets and rats. I need some advice because I need to treat my four young girls but they are quite fidgety and don’t always sit still for long. How am I going to stop them from cleaning themselves whilst I’m waiting for the treatment to dry as the box says they each need to be separated and the medication needs to dry on their fur before they can go back. Any tips welcome?😭😂xx
 
Do you suspect they have mites? Was this prescribed by a vet? I’m assuming not given beaphar is available from pet shops. Unfortunately such products are not good enough to use - they aren’t strong enough to cure a mite problem. You need to see your vet to get the correct diagnosis and correct vet grade strength treatment to be able to solve mites. Unfortunately using such pet shop products can make the issue worse as they don’t deal with the problem properly and therefore prolong the issue and delay getting the correct treatment
 
:agr:

Please see you vet before using any non prescription products, which won't treat the problem, just mask the symptoms.
You vet will be able to show you how to apply it correctly and also prescribe a product that will treat the problem.
 
Hi!

Please see a vet for a proper diagnosis and do not home treat on spec with low dosed ivermectin products that are often not strong enough to cut through an acute case. it is very easy to misdiagnose; we see it often enough on here. Treating on spec with low dosed products is generally false economy and a waste of money that only benefits the pet shop but prolongs the suffering for your pets.

If you have already treated with ivermectin, you have to unfortunately wait until the current dose has worn off and book an appointment once it is safe to apply the first dosage of a vet grade three rounds product according to your vet's findings. A one-off application is not enough.

Please be aware that ivermectin is ingested both through the skin and through the mouth during the grooming process. This takes about two days until it is fully effective. The ivermectin in the body needs to have completely worn off before you can apply it again as it is dangerous to overdose. Any full anti-parasitic course requires three applications at the product specific interval.

Here is more information on skin parasites and your customer rights if you have issues with newly bought piggies.
New guinea pigs: Sexing, vet checks&customer rights, URI, ringworm and parasites
 
:agr: Always best to get a diagnosis and not treat on spec for things :)
 
Do you suspect they have mites? Was this prescribed by a vet? I’m assuming not given beaphar is available from pet shops. Unfortunately such products are not good enough to use - they aren’t strong enough to cure a mite problem. You need to see your vet to get the correct diagnosis and correct vet grade strength treatment to be able to solve mites. Unfortunately using such pet shop products can make the issue worse as they don’t deal with the problem properly and therefore prolong the issue and delay getting the correct treatment
Hiya thank you. I don’t suspect anything atm I just want to prevent it from happening but I’m worried they’re going to ingest the product when cleaning x
 
Hi!

Please see a vet for a proper diagnosis and do not home treat on spec with low dosed ivermectin products that are often not strong enough to cut through an acute case. it is very easy to misdiagnose; we see it often enough on here. Treating on spec with low dosed products is generally false economy and a waste of money that only benefits the pet shop but prolongs the suffering for your pets.

If you have already treated with ivermectin, you have to unfortunately wait until the current dose has worn off and book an appointment once it is safe to apply the first dosage of a vet grade three rounds product according to your vet's findings. A one-off application is not enough.

Please be aware that ivermectin is ingested both through the skin and through the mouth during the grooming process. This takes about two days until it is fully effective. The ivermectin in the body needs to have completely worn off before you can apply it again as it is dangerous to overdose. Any full anti-parasitic course requires three applications at the product specific interval.

Here is more information on skin parasites and your customer rights if you have issues with newly bought piggies.
New guinea pigs: Sexing, vet checks&customer rights, URI, ringworm and parasites
Thank you so much for the advice. I’m wanting to use it to prevent anything so I don’t suspect they have anything atm? I can still use this right?
My worry is that when I’m waiting for it to dry if they start having a clean I don’t want them to ingest it xx
 
:agr:

Please see you vet before using any non prescription products, which won't treat the problem, just mask the symptoms.
You vet will be able to show you how to apply it correctly and also prescribe a product that will treat the problem.
Thank you x
 
Hiya thank you. I don’t suspect anything atm I just want to prevent it from happening but I’m worried they’re going to ingest the product when cleaning x

There is no benefit in using any product as a preventative and as such we don’t recommend it. It could mean resistance can form so when there is a problem the treatment won’t work. If there isn’t a problem, then there isn’t anything to treat!
 
Do you suspect they have mites? Was this prescribed by a vet? I’m assuming not given beaphar is available from pet shops. Unfortunately such products are not good enough to use - they aren’t strong enough to cure a mite problem. You need to see your vet to get the correct diagnosis and correct vet grade strength treatment to be able to solve mites. Unfortunately using such pet shop products can make the issue worse as they don’t deal with the problem properly and therefore prolong the issue and delay getting the correct treatment
Hiya thank you for the reply. I don’t suspect mites atm which is why I’m eager to treat it. I got it from a pet store yes. I’m just worried they’re going to ingest it if they have a clean whilst I’m waiting for it to dry xx
 
There is no benefit in using any product as a preventative and as such we don’t recommend it. It could mean resistance can form so when there is a problem the treatment won’t work. If there isn’t a problem, then there isn’t anything to treat!
Oh wow ok! Thanks. So why do they make these treatments and sell them in pet stores? It’s baffling. So you don’t use anything at all? Sorry I’ve only recently got my piggies. And the last time we had any young piggies in the house was about 8 years ago! X
 
Oh wow ok! Thanks. So why do they make these treatments and sell them in pet stores? It’s baffling. So you don’t use anything at all? Sorry I’ve only recently got my piggies. And the last time we had any young piggies in the house was about 8 years ago! X

They sell them because they are a business and want to make money - simple as that really! (There are a lot of things in pet shops which are either unsuitable, unsafe or unhealthy)

No you don’t need to use anything. You only treat mites when they have mites and even then they need a vet diagnosis and prescribed treatment, not anything you can buy from a pet shop.
 
I got a spot on treatment for my girls, as a treatment. I did phone the vets they recommended I got it from pets at home, as they didn't sell it if not prescribed by a vet. Girls are fine, lice gone.
To be clear I don't know whether they were causing my bites in the first place, because the cats had skipped their spot on for a month, so it could've been them.
I did find something dead on Meg after I used the treatment and no bites since.
Could've been cats, could've been pigs. Who knows?
 
They sell them because they are a business and want to make money - simple as that really! (There are a lot of things in pet shops which are either unsuitable, unsafe or unhealthy)

No you don’t need to use anything. You only treat mites when they have mites and even then they need a vet diagnosis and prescribed treatment, not anything you can buy from a pet shop.
Okay thank you so much. Even if they starting itching more do not give any of the spot on? Your right in saying there’s lots of things pets shops sell that we shouldn’t use. Xx
 
I got a spot on treatment for my girls, as a treatment. I did phone the vets they recommended I got it from pets at home, as they didn't sell it if not prescribed by a vet. Girls are fine, lice gone.
To be clear I don't know whether they were causing my bites in the first place, because the cats had skipped their spot on for a month, so it could've been them.
I did find something dead on Meg after I used the treatment and no bites since.
Could've been cats, could've been pigs. Who knows?
I guess you will never know haha. I’m torn what to do tbh they’re scratching a little more than normal but no visible signs on them of mites xx
 
I guess you will never know haha. I’m torn what to do tbh they’re scratching a little more than normal but no visible signs on them of mites xx

Mites are not visible so you won’t see anything. It’s normal for piggies to scratch. If you see baldness, flaky skin and the scratching is excessive, then see a vet
 
I guess you will never know haha. I’m torn what to do tbh they’re scratching a little more than normal but no visible signs on them of mites xx
Yeah, Mites cause baldness and you piggie will become vicious. Daisy did. I thought it might be old age, but I did my research then took her to the vet.
 
Thank you so much for the advice. I’m wanting to use it to prevent anything so I don’t suspect they have anything atm? I can still use this right?
My worry is that when I’m waiting for it to dry if they start having a clean I don’t want them to ingest it xx

Hi!

To be honest, prevention is a waste of money. The immune system in healthy well kept piggies is perfectly adequate to keep any mange mite eggs under control and lice are usually not a problem with well kept indoors piggies. Again, a healthy immune system is going a long way to keeping them at bay/under control if they make an appearance (I haven't seen any in 16 years).

Instead of helping parasites to build up resistance against the only active ingredient that really works, it is much better to see a vet promptly for some vet grade treatment if there really is a problem and treat properly. Chances are good that you won't ever have an issue; and if there is, it won't ever get past nuisance level if you do it correctly.

Ivermectin can be given via injection, orally via the mouth or topically on the skin; it just needs to get into the body somehow. So please stop fretting over your piggies grooming it off as they are supposed to do! ;)

PS: If you want an area you can build up resistance, then please concentrate on a good general diet without lots of naughty treats, too many pellets and sugary veg etc.
That is where health comes from and that can make the difference whether your piggies live to the bottom or past the top end of an average healthy life span. The more closely your diet resembles the one they have evolved on, the better. In a good diet you don't need lots of artificial supplements and highly processed stuff; the strength comes from giving them the foods they actually thrive on and are laid out for!
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

You can find lots more really helpful long term tested practical tips and detailed information for new owners via this link here, which you may want to bookmark and use as a resource: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides
 
Hi!

To be honest, prevention is a waste of money. The immune system in healthy well kept piggies is perfectly adequate to keep any mange mite eggs under control and lice are usually not a problem with well kept indoors piggies. Again, a healthy immune system is going a long way to keeping them at bay/under control if they make an appearance (I haven't seen any in 16 years).

Instead of helping parasites to build up resistance against the only active ingredient that really works, it is much better to see a vet promptly for some vet grade treatment if there really is a problem and treat properly. Chances are good that you won't ever have an issue; and if there is, it won't ever get past nuisance level if you do it correctly.

Ivermectin can be given via injection, orally via the mouth or topically on the skin; it just needs to get into the body somehow. So please stop fretting over your piggies grooming it off as they are supposed to do! ;)

PS: If you want an area you can build up resistance, then please concentrate on a good general diet without lots of naughty treats, too many pellets and sugary veg etc.
That is where health comes from and that can make the difference whether your piggies live to the bottom or past the top end of an average healthy life span. The more closely your diet resembles the one they have evolved on, the better. In a good diet you don't need lots of artificial supplements and highly processed stuff; the strength comes from giving them the foods they actually thrive on and are laid out for!
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

You can find lots more really helpful long term tested practical tips and detailed information for new owners via this link here, which you may want to bookmark and use as a resource: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides
This was extremely helpful. Thank you. I’m super interested in natural herbs and forage that piggies would eat in the wild. My last piggie lived till she was nearly 8! Thanks again. I’ll use the links they look super helpful! 💕
 
Yeah, Mites cause baldness and you piggie will become vicious. Daisy did. I thought it might be old age, but I did my research then took her to the vet.
Wow! Never knew they could become vicious! Xx
 
This was extremely helpful. Thank you. I’m super interested in natural herbs and forage that piggies would eat in the wild. My last piggie lived till she was nearly 8! Thanks again. I’ll use the links they look super helpful! 💕

We do have a forage guide at the top of the food section, where you can find our guides stickied but unfortunately not in order.
 
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