Mites?, Any Suggestions?

[KismetCavies]

So, I think that one of my precious Guineas might have mites. In her fur she has these little brown flecks. There are also a few places where it looks larger as if the mites laid eggs there. Not sure if they are mange mites. She doesn't seem to be loosing her hair at all.

She's pregnant so I'm worried about what type of medicine I should use. Any suggestions? I'd like to get them under control before she births, which should be in a week or two, maybe 3.

Any suggestions on how to treat her?

[Guinea pig guy]

I'd definitely get her to a vet as soon as you can and have them check her out!

[KismetCavies]

I can't afford another vet visit at this time. I did some research and found that Selsum shampoo is an option so I bathed her with that and will have to see how it does in a day or two. Then, I'll bathe her again the day I clean the cages to make sure no mites in the bedding get back on her.

[taz's guineas]

suanna,
go to the library and check out the book on diseases of domestic guinea pigs. it tells you holstic teatments for all kinds of things as well as what you may be able to do. although it does not have pictures for you to reference to but it might help you. the author is v.c.g. richardson. it is avalible at del tech owens, but you can have it sent to any kc libarary you need. that should help some
Elisabeth

[americansatincavylover]

If you suspect it's mange mites... use Ivermectin (oral or topical) or Revolution (treats both mites and lice... can get from www.petshed.com)... Advantage is great for lice.... though it doesn't treat mites.

It could possible be a fungal infection. If there is a lot of dander (as the brown flakes sound like dander to me)... again, GuineaLynx has info on all those... and more.

www.guinealynx.info has doseage instruction and more on that matter. It's an excellent website for the medical care of cavies.

BTW just so you know... you wouldn't see mites... she'd probably have hair loss and scabs from biting at the spots where it itches if she had mites... but you wouldn't see them... you can see the lice...

Most likely it could be a fungal infection. You can get the stuff for that at the local drug store... http://www.guinealynx.info/fungus.html -there's the link for fungal infections...

This post has been edited by americansatincavylover on Feb 11 2008, 04:15 PM

[americansatincavylover]

Just read your other post... if it's mites, Selsum shampoo wouldn't work.... that could possibly help the itch for a fungal infection or help relieve the pain of the mites but couldn't treat mites or lice.

Also treat ALL of your other cavies with Ivermectin/Advantage dose or Revolution dose! As they could just as easily get mites or lice, too!

This post has been edited by americansatincavylover on Feb 11 2008, 04:28 PM

[KismetCavies]

I've washed her twice with the shampoo and from what I can see, no more anything! She isn't scratching and she has no patches of hair loss or anything. The only hair loss she has is from me completely cutting off all her long locks, partly to help treat her and partly because I don't want to clean that messy fur when she births. Her cage has been cleaned as she was so that nothing carries over. She seems to be doing great!

I've been keeping my eye on all the others and no one else shows the signs of having anything so I'm thankful. Thankfully, Meredith has been living by herself for quite a while and so it doesn't look like anything spread. Thanks for the ideas though. I'll definately keep that in mind for next time.

Also, if I were to order some of that medicine, which ones would I buy? There are too many to choose from and it's confusing.

Oh, and I did respond to your other post about the show but it got covered up!

This post has been edited by KismetCavies on Feb 11 2008, 10:49 PM

[Guinea pig guy]

Awesome pigture of Sawyer, Susanna!