Resistant Mites?

[Honey&maple]

The pigs started scratching again so what I’m doing is just suppressing the mites .


They have been to a different vet today and he is going to do the injections and if they don’t work they will need a skin scrape as it could be a skin condition issue or something .

I'm not sure if maple has had the injections before as the rescue isn’t clear about what she’s had . So hopefully she hasn’t and this works fingers crossed

 

[Piggies&buns]

The pigs started scratching again so what I’m doing is just suppressing the mites .


They have been to a different vet today and he is going to do the injections and if they don’t work they will need a skin scrape as it could be a skin condition issue or something .

I'm not sure if maple has had the injections before as the rescue isn’t clear about what she’s had . So hopefully she hasn’t and this works fingers crossed

Fingers crossed

 

[Honey&maple]

The vet reccomended another injection after 3 weeks . Is this the usual timing ?

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m not sure with the injections I’m afraid - never had to do it
@Wiebke - do you know about the injections?

 

[Wiebke]

I’m not sure with the injections I’m afraid - never had to do it
@Wiebke - do you know about the injections?

Ivermectin and selamectin can be given any way, as a spot on, by mouth or by injection. By injection is actually the most effective way. The interval between the injections is determined by the concentration/strength of the product used. Your vet hs obviously opted for the strongest possible dosage.

All the best.

 

[doosnska]

I picked up a Guinea pig from a rescue to bond with my lonely pig. However , when I got home I noticed she had hair loss on her back so I messaged the rescue . They said she has had severe mites but has got the all clear 2 weeks ago at the vets and her fur is growing back. She is still scratching and I’m unsure if it’s healing or if she’s still got them and passing them onto my pig .

How do I know if the fur is just growing or if she’s still got them? I’m quite worried in what to do .

Vet, they need to do a skin scrap. Good luck

 

[Honey&maple]

Ivermectin and selamectin can be given any way, as a spot on, by mouth or by injection. By injection is actually the most effective way. The interval between the injections is determined by the concentration/strength of the product used. Your vet hs obviously opted for the strongest possible dosage.

All the best.

Oh thank you! That’s helpful , I was wondering why vets did different.

I’m assuming as well in my case that the mites that are left must be deep into the skin which the spot on and dips aren’t touching .

 

[Wiebke]

Oh thank you! That’s helpful , I was wondering why vets did different.

I’m assuming as well in my case that the mites that are left must be deep into the skin which the spot on and dips aren’t touching .

Do you kow whether it was ivermectin or selamectin because when Nye had his selamectin treatment (Stronghold) for recurring hay mites that he had arrived with - none of my other piggies every had them -, he got the stronghold by injection although it was with a two weeks interval. But as said that depends on the product and the strength. The stronger the concentration, the longer the interval in between applications.

 

[Honey&maple]

Do you kow whether it was ivermectin or selamectin because when Nye had his selamectin treatment for persistent hay mites (he spent his first year with me having either mange or hay mites due to a lowered immune system), he got the stronghold by injection although it was with a two weeks interval.

They are having the ivermectin injections . The vet is thinking it’s mange mites . However maple did have hay mites before as I saw the black bits around her back end but not there anymore and he couldn’t see any lice himself .

did you try the spot on with nye or straight to injections ?

The vet I saw today said he doesn’t use the xeno450 anymore as he seems to find it isn’t effective most of the Time.

 

[Wiebke]

They are having the ivermectin injections . The vet is thinking it’s mange mites . However maple did have hay mites before as I saw the black bits around her back end but not there anymore and he couldn’t see any lice himself .

did you try the spot on with nye or straight to injections ?

The vet I saw today said he doesn’t use the xeno450 anymore as he seems to find it isn’t effective most of the Time.

The first course was spot on. Nye spent his first year with me with having hay mites twice and mange mites at least three times; he had an outbreak of one sort or other about every two months due to a weaker immune system. After that he stabilised somewhat and had mange about once or twice a year but they would respond nicely to spot-on treatment; they happened whenever his immune system took a little dive for some reason or other.
The hay mites never came back after I cut off all egg cases the second time round during the Stronghold treatment, which did the trick. He also suffered from 'teddy skin' (breed specific) genetic hair loss off and on.

None of the other piggies ever caught anything off him, including his boarmate and, later on after Nosgan's passing, his two wives. The vet I saw was a guinea pig specialist.

Nye was a spontaneous last minute breeder addition to two rescue surrenders from the free-ads when they were picked up by rescue volunteers. He was supposedly two years old when his testicles were just about starting to descend. Yeah...

Anyway, Nye lived to 6 years old and passed away on the evening of the Queen's funeral after a happy piggy life.

 

[Wiebke]

They are having the ivermectin injections . The vet is thinking it’s mange mites . However maple did have hay mites before as I saw the black bits around her back end but not there anymore and he couldn’t see any lice himself .

did you try the spot on with nye or straight to injections ?

The vet I saw today said he doesn’t use the xeno450 anymore as he seems to find it isn’t effective most of the Time.

I am not a great fan of xeno, either. Unfortunately, most vets don't stock panomec for injections anymore. Hopefully, the injections should do the trick.

 

[Honey&maple]

The first course was spot on. Nye spent his first year with me with having hay mites twice and mange mites at least three times times; he had an outbreak of one sort or other about every two months due to a weaker immune system. After that he stabilised somewhat and had mange about once or twice a year but they would respond nicely to spot-on treatment; they happened whenever his immune system took a little dive for some reason or other.

None of the other piggies ever caught anything off him, including his boarmate and later on after Nosgan's passing, his two wives. The vet I saw was a guinea pig specialist.

Nye was a spontaneous last minute breeder addition to two rescue surrenders from the free-ads when they were picked up by rescue volunteers. He was supposedly two years old when his testicles were just about starting to descend. Yeah...

Anyway, Nye lived to 6 years old and passed away on the evening of the Queen's funeral after a happy piggy life.
View attachment 257823

That’s crazy that they didn’t catch anything off him. I wish honey never caught anything ! I feel so bad but What a beautiful piggy he was RIP !

Yeah mites seem such a pain. I’ve never had to deal with this in the 4 years I’ve had pigs . So I’ve been so stressed about it all.

I feel like exotic vets and Guinea pig specialists are so difficult to find in the area I live which is also a reason I’m having this problem .

I heard about the immune system affecting the mites . Which I feel like made honey worse as she went through a massive abscess in between of this treatment .(which also delayed this as this was a priority at the time)

But thank you so much I really hope it works . But I will keep fighting for my girls

 

[Wiebke]

That’s crazy that they didn’t catch anything off him. I wish honey never caught anything ! I feel so bad but What a beautiful piggy he was RIP !

Yeah mites seem such a pain. I’ve never had to deal with this in the 4 years I’ve had pigs . So I’ve been so stressed about it all.

I feel like exotic vets and Guinea pig specialists are so difficult to find in the area I live which is also a reason I’m having this problem .

I heard about the immune system affecting the mites . Which I feel like made honey worse as she went through a massive abscess in between of this treatment .(which also delayed this as this was a priority at the time)

But thank you so much I really hope it works . But I will keep fighting for my girls

It rather looks like some piggies may already born with a mange mite egg reservoir in their skin. Normally their immune system is strong enough to keep it under control. It is just getting the mites under control again. Then it is much easier to step in asap as soon as the itchies start up again and it never gets as bad. With having quite a number of piggies myself and one or two at any time that have got a mange mites eggs reservoir in their skin, I always have some ivermectin at home so they never get past nuisance level.

A good hay based diet is key for the long term. Never underestimate having the immune system on your side when it comes to fending off all the opportunistic bugs, from parasites, fungal (incl. ringworm), respiratory bacteria etc.

 

[Wiebke]

That’s crazy that they didn’t catch anything off him. I wish honey never caught anything ! I feel so bad but What a beautiful piggy he was RIP !

Yeah mites seem such a pain. I’ve never had to deal with this in the 4 years I’ve had pigs . So I’ve been so stressed about it all.

I feel like exotic vets and Guinea pig specialists are so difficult to find in the area I live which is also a reason I’m having this problem .

I heard about the immune system affecting the mites . Which I feel like made honey worse as she went through a massive abscess in between of this treatment .(which also delayed this as this was a priority at the time)

But thank you so much I really hope it works . But I will keep fighting for my girls

The abscess will have also not helped the immune system. Please do not feel guilty or bad. Stuff happens all the time that is not in your control or at least not fully in your control.

Don't waste your own energy on beating yourself up over what is not your fault. Concentrate on doing what you can and working your way through an issue, learn from any mistakes you have really made and try not to repeat them. You can never be perfect; you can only ever try to muddle through as best as you can.
That way, you come out of it with a positive attitude on which you can build instead of setting yourself up for the inevitable fail if you set your bar right up at the ceiling. Life is about getting up again and about learning, not about never putting a foot wrong. The first makes you stronger and more experienced; the second won't allow you to grow as human being. The scars and regrets that you carry with you are your greatest motivation. You cannot pay back but you can always pay forward and help other people and other piggies... I have learned a lot more from finding out about things the hard way and have gained a much deeper understanding. It has come with a sometimes high price; but on the other hand, lots of piggies on this forum have profited in ways that they would not have, had I not made those mistakes, battled through issues and needed to find a way to live with the fallout constructively.

Please take a deep breath. You seem to have found a competent vet. I'd rather have a general vet who is willing to learn about small furries than an exotics vet who is not interested in guinea pigs.

 

[Honey&maple]

The abscess will have also not helped the immune system. Please do not feel guilty or bad. Stuff happens all the time that is not in your control or at least not fully in your control.

Don't waste your own energy on beating yourself up over what is not your fault. Concentrate on doing what you can and working your way through an issue, learn from any mistakes you have really made and try not to repeat them. You can never be perfect; you can only ever try to muddle through as best as you can.
That way, you come out of it with a positive attitude on which you can build instead of setting yourself up for the inevitable fail if you set your bar right up at the ceiling. Life is about getting up again and about learning, not about never putting a foot wrong. The first makes you stronger and more experienced; the second won't allow you to grow as human being. The scars and regrets that you carry with you are your greatest motivation. You cannot pay back but you can always pay forward and help other people and other piggies... I have learned a lot more from finding out about things the hard way and have gained a much deeper understanding. It has come with a sometimes high price; but on the other hand, lots of piggies on this forum have profited in ways that they would not have, had I not made those mistakes, battled through issues and needed to find a way to live with the fallout constructively.

Please take a deep breath. You seem to have found a competent vet. I'd rather have a general vet who is willing to learn about small furries than an exotics vet who is not interested in guinea pigs.

Aw thank you so much that’s really nice to hear , it can get stressful for Guinea pig owners sometimes but we can only try our very best , as long as we care that’s all that matters

I only feel bad because I was the one that chose maple from the vets (she was the one with mites ) . But they do get on really well so at the same time I don’t regret it . It’s a hard situstion .

I saw a Vet today that’s actually on the vet list on here . His name is Robert Hamilton. He's on the list saying he works at Severn edge vets on here but he’s left there now and he works at Telford “south water” vets . (If u wanted to update). It was handy for me cuz he’s 10 minutes Away and I have much more faith in him.

 

[Wiebke]

Aw thank you so much that’s really nice to hear , it can get stressful for Guinea pig owners sometimes but we can only try our very best , as long as we care that’s all that matters

I only feel bad because I was the one that chose maple from the vets (she was the one with mites ) . But they do get on really well so at the same time I don’t regret it . It’s a hard situstion .

I saw a Vet today that’s actually on the vet list on here . His name is Robert Hamilton. He's on the list saying he works at Severn edge vets on here but he’s left there now and he works at Telford “south water” vets . (If u wanted to update). It was handy for me cuz he’s 10 minutes Away and I have much more faith in him.

Could you please post this change on this thread here with the new clinic address and contacts so our recommended vets list can be updated. We rely on member feedback since there are thousands of vet clinics in the UK and vets move around much more than you'd expect. We cannot even start to canvas them all as to their guinea pig expertise, considering that we are all doing this for free in our own free time.
Members' Recommended Vets (It's at the top of this section)

On this forum we are mindful of the owner as well as their piggies since we are all piggy owners and fully understand what you are going through. Being supportive is part of or forum ethos, which is carried by our community as well.

Don't feel bad about chosing Maple but see it as your chance of giving her a good life that she may not have necessarily get in another home. If she had a silent reservoir that got woken up by the stress of the change (stress is a massive immune system dampener), then that is nobody's fault or neglect.

 

[Honey&maple]

Could you please post this change on this thread here with the new clinic address and contacts so our recommended vets list can be updated. We rely on member feedback since there are thousands of vet clinics in the UK and vets move around much more than you'd expect. We cannot even start to canvas them all as to their guinea pig expertise, considering that we are all doing this for free in our own free time.
Members' Recommended Vets (It's at the top of this section)

On this forum we are mindful of the owner as well as their piggies since we are all piggy owners and fully understand what you are going through. Being supportive is part of or forum ethos, which is carried by our community as well.

Don't feel bad about chosing Maple but see it as your chance of giving her a good life that she may not have necessarily get in another home. If she had a silent reservoir that got woken up by the stress of the change (stress is a massive immune system dampener), then that is nobody's fault or neglect.

Hey sorry one last question . I’ve kept their hutch quite plain while these mites are going and I want to put some hides and enrichment in for them . But I heard I had to keep it plain but because the vet thinks it’s mange mites . He thinks they are just living in the pigs skin . Would you wait a bit longer while the injections are kicking in or start putting stuff in again?

 

[Wiebke]

Hey sorry one last question . I’ve kept their hutch quite plain while these mites are going and I want to put some hides and enrichment in for them . But I heard I had to keep it plain but because the vet thinks it’s mange mites . He thinks they are just living in the pigs skin . Would you wait a bit longer while the injections are kicking in or start putting stuff in again?

The injections should have kicked in within 48 hours and killed any mites that have ingested them. Give the cage a good deep clean and then do it up how you want to. Mites do not live/survive in regularly washed bedding and cosies. Most originate from reservoirs in the skin and are transmitted between piggies.

 

[piggieminder]

Maple was so very lucky you chose her. Not many people would fight so hard to get those mites under control, this vet sound like he knows what he is doing. I hope your girls are better soon.

 

[Honey&maple]

Maple was so very lucky you chose her. Not many people would fight so hard to get those mites under control, this vet sound like he knows what he is doing. I hope your girls are better soon.

Aww thank you so much that’s very nice to hear

 

[Honey&maple]

These injections have worked so well. But I’m worried that they will start scratching again before the 3 weeks is up for the 2nd jabs . If they do start scratching again , would you recommend to call the vets and ask them when the earliest I can get the 2nd jabs or try and wait out the 3 weeks . It just seems a long time to wait .

 

[Wiebke]

These injections have worked so well. But I’m worried that they will start scratching again before the 3 weeks is up for the 2nd jabs . If they do start scratching again , would you recommend to call the vets and ask them when the earliest I can get the 2nd jabs or try and wait out the 3 weeks . It just seems a long time to wait .

Glad that the jabs have worked. 3 weeks is the earliest they can have the next because your vet has seriously maxed the dosage out. Overdosing ivermectin or selamectin can cause long term damage. What you can do is give the clinic a call if the itching starts.

 

[Honey&maple]

It’s been 2 weeks since the injections now and maple hadn’t been messing with her fur until the last couple of days as you can tell on the picture . So I’m assuming another set of mites have hatched. So I’m worried waiting another week will let other eggs be laid etc. so I’m going to have to call the vets today and see what theybsay.

 

[Wiebke]

It’s been 2 weeks since the injections now and maple hadn’t been messing with her fur until the last couple of days as you can tell on the picture . So I’m assuming another set of mites have hatched. So I’m worried waiting another week will let other eggs be laid etc. so I’m going to have to call the vets today and see what theybsay.

All the best.

 

[Honey&maple]

All the best.

The vet can do the 2nd injection esrlier so I’m booked in for Wednesday . But that will be 16 days since the 1st one , will this allow the mites to lay more eggs ? I’m worried about the cycle keep on happening

 

[Wiebke]

The vet can do the 2nd injection esrlier so I’m booked in for Wednesday . But that will be 16 days since the 1st one , will this allow the mites to lay more eggs ? I’m worried about the cycle keep on happening

This is around the optimally efficient cycle to get on top of mange mites. The fact that you haven't had any mites for nearly two weeks without any bad side effects is excellent.

 

[Honey&maple]

2nd injection is going great also and maples V shape has basically disappeared now

 

[Wiebke]

2nd injection is going great also and maples V shape has basically disappeared now

Glad that it looks like it is working this time!

 

[Honey&maple]

The girls have been back to the vets 12 days since the 2nd injection. They had a 3rd injection today because they started scratching again. The vet said it’s very soon that they’ve started scratching which is weird because I thought 10-14 days is normal but he says 3 weeks is when he normally does injections .

He said if this injection doesn’t work he wants me to let them get bad and for them to be put to sleep to have a skin scrape to defiently make sure it is mites and nothing else is going on. Which obviously is quite upsetting as maples fur has taken ages to grow back and I don’t want them to get worse . And being put to sleep makes me nervous also.

What do you guys think of this ? Should I get a second opinion from a different vet? What happens if these injections don’t end up working ?
I’m just so stressed and upset that I’ve been told this

 

[Wiebke]

The girls have been back to the vets 12 days since the 2nd injection. They had a 3rd injection today because they started scratching again. The vet said it’s very soon that they’ve started scratching which is weird because I thought 10-14 days is normal but he says 3 weeks is when he normally does injections .

He said if this injection doesn’t work he wants me to let them get bad and for them to be put to sleep to have a skin scrape to defiently make sure it is mites and nothing else is going on. Which obviously is quite upsetting as maples fur has taken ages to grow back and I don’t want them to get worse . And being put to sleep makes me nervous also.

What do you guys think of this ? Should I get a second opinion from a different vet? What happens if these injections don’t end up working ?
I’m just so stressed and upset that I’ve been told this

Hi

I am very sorry that the itching is coming back again.

Unfortunately, it is now time for lab tests and further investigation to find out what is the problem. Your vet need plenty of evidence and skin scrapes get eggs as well, which is not pleasant and why sedation is needed. It won't be a full-on general anaesthetic like for a proper operation; just to prevent any wiggling and to make any manipulation easier. Your piggies should bounce back from that. They will also likely get an a selamectin injection while they are under so the discomfort is kept as short as possible. But that is something to ask your vet, who has now tried all possible standard treatments so it is now time to bring out the heavy canons in case it is something else.

What you are dealing with is very, very unusual.

PS: The majority of GAs is actually going well. You have to be aware that what you get online is all the horror stories and miracle cures but not the biggest chunk of 'normality' because it is not considered worth posting about. Even on here we have a larger than average representation because people with piggies having a difficult recovery come here for that purpose.

HUGS