Resistant Mites?

[Honey&maple]

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

Thank you! I did mention the selamectin today and he said he hasn’t done any research on that and he doesn’t even know if you can get it in the UK which has made me confused . My gut feeling is that it is mites but are just resistant to ivermectin( fingers crossed this injection does just do the job, saves the stress) .

He said if they find mites on the lab tests etc , they will offer the oral ivermectin solution (which idk how will work differently) but he’s had this happy before and the oral worked which is crazy to me .

Would you try and get selamectin first before the scrapes because the mites are reacting to ivermectin so it must be mites and see if that works ?

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you! I did mention the selamectin today and he said he hasn’t done any research on that and he doesn’t even know if you can get it in the UK which has made me confused . My gut feeling is that it is mites but are just resistant to ivermectin( fingers crossed this injection does just do the job, saves the stress) .

He said if they find mites on the lab tests etc , they will offer the oral ivermectin solution (which idk how will work differently) but he’s had this happy before and the oral worked which is crazy to me .

Would you try and get selamectin first before the scrapes because the mites are reacting to ivermectin so it must be mites and see if that works ?

Selamectin in some form should be available in the UK because it is used for mange in dogs but it is very similar to ivermectin and it may not come in the form your vet would like to give it. However, he should look around. Unfortunately, treatment options against mites are very limited. I am not a vet and don't have your vet's resources for making enquiries so I cannot answer your questions.

 

[Honey&maple]

They are doing good with their 3rd injection(its currently day 7) . I think i might ask for a 4th one if they start again as i feel it’s best to do that then go straight to something else as it could actually do the trick.

 

[Honey&maple]

update- pigs have had 4 injections now as they did start scratching again by day 10 . They are over the 2 weeks mark and are doing better than ever ! Hopefully they are completely clear ! Looking very promising!

My maples fur looking healthy too and I’m so glad I didn’t go for the scraping , I dreaded letting them get bad and losing her fur again!

I knew we would get there eventually ! Thanks everyone for all the help!