Static Mite Treatment

[RT03]

Hello. I’ve found both my piggies have what I think is static mites. They both have black specs in their fur mostly at the back. I previously used spot on treatment with previous piggies years ago but from research that doesn’t work on static mites. Someone has suggested a insecticidal shampoo but I can’t find one in the uk that isn’t going to cost a fortune. Can anyone suggest a shampoo or is there a treatment that has worked for you. Feel bad I didn’t notice it on my boys but they don’t seem bothered by them. Obviously would rather they didn’t have them tho. Don’t really want to be paying for a vet appointment either when I know what it is, could maybe ring the vet for advice tho. Thanks in advance

 

[Piggies&buns]

Static lice/mites is an outdated way of referring to what is now called hay mites.

The correct treatment is with xeno 450 (ivermectin) dosed properly for their weight and we advise that you see the vet. We will not recommend any low dosed products or home treatments.
A course of three separate treatments with two weeks between each treatment is needed, along with discarding hay and disinfecting the cage. This treatment does work but hay mites are more of an annoyance. under dosing or using low dosed pet shop products will be ineffective and result in resistance.

 

[RT03]

Would the vet give it without an appointment? They’ll charge £50-60 on top of the price for the treatment. Someone else on another group referred to it as static mites so I was just going with what they said as I’ve not come across them before. Would an insecticide shampoo work or another shampoo or is the xeno 450 the only thing that will work? The spot on treatment we used before for the other mites was ivermectin so would that definetly not work the same on hay mites?

 

[Julie M]

I've heard of people using farriers shampoo. To get rid of hay mites. But it's a long process requiring many treatments. You'd be best getting the correct treatment via the vet

 

[Piggies&buns]

Would the vet give it without an appointment? They’ll charge £50-60 on top of the price for the treatment. Someone else on another group referred to it as static mites so I was just going with what they said as I’ve not come across them before. Would an insecticide shampoo work or another shampoo or is the xeno 450 the only thing that will work? The spot on treatment we used before for the other mites was ivermectin so would that definetly not work the same on hay mites?

We would not recommend you on spec treat with anything. You can make things worse by not getting a proper treatment from the beginning; or at least make it harder and longer to treat and thus cost more.
Repeated shampooing would be a risk of damage to their skin.
I know vets are expensive but they are the only ones which can tell you how to treat an issue, and what you need.

Xeno is ivermectin.
Ivermectin is the correct and most effective treatment for mange mites, hay mites and lice.
As hay mites are only fixed to the hair shaft, it makes treatment a bit less effective than against mange mites (which burrow into the skin. mange being a serious issue which can kill, hay mites are an annoyance) but it is still the most effective and it is still the right thing to use

Thread 'New Guinea Pig Problems: Sexing & Pregnancy; URI, Ringworm & Parasites; Vet Checks & Customer Rights'

Jun 24, 2018

1 Double-checking the gender upon arrival
- Sexing
- Pregnancies and surprise babies
2 When to quarantine new companions?
3 Vet visits
- Health check/registration upon arrival
- Reclaiming vet cost for newly bought ill guinea pigs
4 Common illnesses in new guinea pigs
- Ringworm
- Respiratory infection (URI)
5 List of guinea pig...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 1
• Forum: New and Wannabe Owners Corner

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