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Scratching...when should it be a concern?

  • Thread starter Thread starter RayniasPiggies
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RayniasPiggies

My two boys scratch themselves quite a bit throughout the day. I'm not sure what's considered a normal amount of scratching, and when it becomes excessive enough to be a health concern. They don't appear to have any patches of fur missing, no redness or bleeding, and they don't make any sounds of pain while scratching. I'd say I hear them scratch every couple minutes. Is this a normal part of their grooming? Or should I have a vet check for fleas or lice?
 
It could be the start of mites. I wouldn't say that piggies scratch a lot throughout the day - once or twice maybe. You will be able to see lice. They are little things that crawl through the fur. You wont be able to see mites. Mites needs to be treated by a vet using something called ivermectin. Hope this helps :)
 
That could very well be a possibility. If they continue to scratch, I'll make an appointment for them to see the vet this coming week.
 
I'd ditto what rw said above. If not mites it could be lice, if you part the pigs fur and see any white/grey/brown wriggly things this is lice. It can be treated with Gorgeous Guineas lice and easy shampoo (just google Gorgeous Guineas)
Guineas don't get fleas.
 
Yes I agree, check for lice first. If not, are they scratching in one particular area? usually with mites, it is the area at the bottom of the rump, or either side of the spine. They often turn suddenly and bite the area too. Have you noticed the fur becoming a little thinner in this area? if so, it is a vets visit for ivermectin. Injections are not needed, xeno topical is the preferred method as the injections are very painful.

Hope you get it sorted :)
 
Mite and Lice Treatment

We just used to use a small amount of a special shampoo every month but both Nibbles and Bubbles used to scratch and would loose a little fur when stroked.

When we took on Jacob from the Blue Cross, after Bubbles passed away, they had been using Xenex Ultra Spot On every month. I bought some from our Vet and treated both Nibbles and Jacob, neither piggy looses any fur when stroking and Nibbles scratches a lot less than she did.

If you use a new treatment like Xenex that you haven't used on a piggy before monitor the piggy very carefully after treatment for side-effects, they are always listed with the medicine.

Also, you need accurate scales to weigh the piggy to calculate the correct dose, Jacob is 990g so had 12 drops, Nibbles is 1110g so had 14, it is important to get Spot-On treatments onto the skin not the fur, it takes some practice and I don't think either of our piggies actually got a full dose the first time I used it!
 
Hi, I've had exactly the same problem with my 3 scratching. Not all the time, but alot! No sign of hair loss or thinning and can't feel any scabs. But they are jumping and biting either side of their spine.

i took them to the vets who said they were ok & they would be far worse with scabs & hair loss if they had them, i wasnt 100% convinced with her diagnosis ,but i didnt want to take the chance of it getting that bad or even worse!

So i asked on the forum & with the info i received from here i'm almost sure they have mites! So i ordered the ivermectin from an online site which was also recommended from lavenderjade. my babies only weigh light (under 800g) so i ordered the xeno 50 mini. However if your boys are heavier then you'll need the xeno 450. Instructions are in the box. I only ordered it at 11.30 am yesterday & i received it this morn! piggies aren't too happy with me though! although they are happily munching on spinach, pepper & rosemary as we speak! ......my way of saying sorry!

http://www.vetuk.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_418&products_id=1501


http://www.vetuk.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_418&products_id=1500

I've checked for lice, no sign, but i've also ordered the lice and easy shampoo from gorgeous guinea just in case!


hope this helps
 
I didn't see any lice when I parted the fur. No scabs or bumps either. They do scratch and bite the sides of their rump area, so maybe it is mites. I noticed sometimes Reno scratches his ears too. I haven't noticed any fur missing or falling out, other than a few occasional strands that fall when I brush Axel's fur.
 
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no mine had no other signs either, but i've treated them now......so just gonna wait and see if it cures them of their itch!
 
Upon closer inspection of Axel's fur...I noticed the back of his left ear is a bit bare. I'm definitely going to make an appointment for them, because they sure are scratching and biting a lot. Also, after they are treated for mites, what is the best way to sterilize their cage and belongings? I usually use a mixture of vinegar and water when I clean their cage. Is that sufficient, or do I need to use bleach and water?
 
The bare patches behind the ears is normal, all piggies have that.

Vinegar is good for cleaning the wee stains. I wouldnt use bleach as could be dangerous. I use virkon but there are several types that are good, conficlean is another. An anti fungal and antibacterial is best.

http://www.sphsupplies.co.uk/index.php?cPath=15
 
I know, but the left side has a much larger bald spot. Maybe it's still normal though, I'm not sure. They could still be at the early stages of mites.

What about dawn antibacterial dish soap? Would that be pretty safe to use?
 
I wouldn't recommend it because it could be too strong for your piggie to cope with. He really needs to go to a vet if it's mites as ivermection/xeno spot on will be the only thing to treat mites.
 
I'm sorry, I think you misunderstood. I meant using dawn to clean and sterilize the inside of the cage, not the piggies. I'm going to call the vet this week.
 
If you have mites you shouldn't need to sterilize any of your hutch or cage. I have only given a clean bed after each dose/treatment of Xeno/Ivermectin because I felt like it but as far as I know it doesn't affect whether the treatment works or not.

The mites cannot live away from a pigs body, they can't, because they are under the skin.
 
starla said:
If you have mites you shouldn't need to sterilize any of your hutch or cage. I have only given a clean bed after each dose/treatment of Xeno/Ivermectin because I felt like it but as far as I know it doesn't affect whether the treatment works or not.

The mites cannot live away from a pigs body, they can't, because they are under the skin.
Click to expand...

Thanks this was really helpful think my piggy has mites & fungus in one go he is going to vets tomorrow and was considering sterilising the cage after, maybe still need to because of the fungus though.... will have to ask the vet!:)
 
Thanks, that's good to know. Of course if it's something like lice, then I assume that's a different story. Looks like I may need to wait until the end of the week to take them to the vet now. We're expecting snow here tomorrow.
 
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