Static Lice Treatment

[GUINEAm&n]

Hi,

One of my guinea pigs has static lice. From reading other threads, it looks like I should:

1. Wash both piggies in lice n' easy shampoo
2. Wash all bedding on 60 degree wash ( will this shrink my fleece bedding?)
3. Throw out their hay and buy new

My questions are:

1. Do I also need to treat wih a spot on tretment in addition to the shampoo, and if so, how many treatments?
2. I have just ordered a new lot of hay from the same supplier, before noticing the lice, should I cancel the order and change supplier or could this happen to any hay?

Thanks in advance for any advice,

Kari

 

[Kerrie74]

Hi,

I've been through this with mine, I did the same your saying but I used a spot on treatment, once a week for three weeks.

Umm yes your fleece can shrink, I've had this happen as well, three of my liners shrunk but around an inch.

I'll find the link to the stuff I buy.

 

[Kerrie74]

If your in the UK - http://www.medicanimal.com/Ivermectin-Drops/p/I0004730?gclid=CI-0oovqosYCFWvKtAodQ8QPKA

 

[zombieprincess]

Hey, ive found the best treatment is what kerrie suggested. Ivermectin drops one a week for 3 weeks. Static lice are and utter pain, amd no where easy to shift as running i've found. It may be worth bathing one week after their final ivermec treatment. Also i would suggest brushing the, through with a flea comb after treatment starts too. Although the lice are small it may catch up some of the bigger dead ones.

Unfortunately this can happen with any hay, irregardless of there is comes from. :/

 

[Kerrie74]

This is what I did myself

1. Take bedding etc. out and wash on 60

2. Wash the cage out

3. Washed Storm and Snow with lice n easy

4. waited about two days and used the drops on them (it's done by weight, instruction come with).

5. Used the drops once a week for three weeks

6. When they had their final dose I waited about a week and washed them again in lice n easy

Snow was checked for rump dust (black dust) and was clear but because Storm and Snow were still scratching they were taken to the vets where the vet said there were no more pesties.

I have since found some bits on Snow's rump again but I'm hoping it's from where he's been in the hay bag! Will be washing him with just plain warm water to check.

I am now itching lol.

PS - I didn't comb them but if your guinea is fine with it I'd see if it helps

 

[artcasper]

This is what I did myself

1. Take bedding etc. out and wash on 60

2. Wash the cage out

3. Washed Storm and Snow with lice n easy

4. waited about two days and used the drops on them (it's done by weight, instruction come with).

5. Used the drops once a week for three weeks

6. When they had their final dose I waited about a week and washed them again in lice n easy

Snow was checked for rump dust (black dust) and was clear but because Storm and Snow were still scratching they were taken to the vets where the vet said there were no more pesties.

I have since found some bits on Snow's rump again but I'm hoping it's from where he's been in the hay bag! Will be washing him with just plain warm water to check.

I am now itching lol.

PS - I didn't comb them but if your guinea is fine with it I'd see if it helps

i am itching just reading this lol.....

 

[Kerrie74]

Haha

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome!

Can you please add your country, state or county to your details, so we can adapt any advice to what is available and possible (especially brand-wise) where you are. We have members from all over the world. Please click on your username, go to personal details and scroll down to location.

We strongly recommend not to home treat on spec with low dosed shop products and if in any doubt, seek competent veterinary care for a proper diagnosis and age/weight appropriate treatment. We have got a piggy savvy UK vet locator on the top bar and can provide a link for recommended vets in other countries.

The appropriate treatment for fur mites/static lice is a good quality ivermectin product like xeno 50/200/450 for the UK depending on the weight. If you use other topical treatments like lice'n'easy shampoo, you will have to wait at least 48 hours between using another product on the skin.

Make sure that you disinfect your cage thoroughly (we recommend to get some F10 antibacterial and antifungal disinfectant for a deep clean); throw away any hay they have likely come in and wash any cosies etc. at least 60 C. There will be some shrinkage, but we strongly recommend to wash your fleece at higher temperatures anyway to prevent a build-up of bacteria anyway.

 

[Elwickcavies]

Please be aware that ivermectin will not kill static lice, but will deal with running lice. For mange mites (that burrow under the skin) you will need invermectin injections from the vet. You are more likely to get lice from poor quality hay, but it can still occur with good quality stuff (I have had this happen myself). Some people recommend washing regularly in an antiparasitic shampoo as a preventative. You definitely need to wash the fleeces on a high temp as Wiebke says, in order to keep them hygienic.

 

[Kerrie74]

I should have said that when I posted about taking them to the vets to have it checked but I didn't think about it. Sorry about that.

When I took mine to the vets I was told to use the spot on stuff and was given Xeno last year for them.. so I was given stuff I didn't need?

Also on this page http://www.guinealynx.info/furmites.html it says to treat with invermectin.

Anyway good luck with clearing the lice, it can be a pain in the bottom but they will clear, it just takes a bit of time and patience. Just follow Wiebke's advice and you'll be ok

 

[GUINEAm&n]

Ok, thank you all very much for the advice.

I think I thought it was a simpler issue than it is, which is why I asked here instead of going straight to the vet, but it makes sense to get a proper diagnosis.

I will defintely wash at 60 from here on out; I think I did at first but then probably started forgetting.

I think our hay is pretty good quality as it is Ings Hay from Hay for Pets and my piggies love it, so good to hear we don't need to change supplier because of one bad lot.

Thank you all very much for the help.

 

[Elwickcavies]

You have to know what lice you are dealing with. Ivermectin is very effective on bloodsucking species, but rubbish on debris-eating species. Guinealynx is a very good site, but if you have static lice and you look for how to treat mites you'll get incorrect advice. Hope it all clears up soon!