mite treatment

**dianet** · #1 03-26-06, 07:04 pm

Hi all,
Don't post too often but read the forum everyday. My last posts were about a friend's pig who had a little bald spot. I have a question about another friend's pig. I know that sound suspicious but it's true!
The little girl is losing her hair and no mites were found at the vet. Is a mite treatment called for even though the vet couldn't see any under the microscope? I think it probably is and told her so. My other friend's pig didn't show any mites under the microscope either but was treated and the hair grew back.
Thanks!
Donna
triclar@patmedia.net

**amber-waves** · #2 03-26-06, 07:08 pm

I actually just went to the vet and am now treating for mites. My understanding is that mites burrow so far under the skin, that without a deep skin scrape that would be very painful, it is possible to test negitive for mites if a scrape of a few surface cells is done, so bottom line, treat when is doubt, especially with proof that the other pig showed no mites yet responded to treatment.

**fourbwabbys** · #3 03-26-06, 07:09 pm

Skin scrapings aren't very accurate with diagnosing mites. I would treat her with ivermectin anyway, it's most likely mites.

**jdomans** · #4 03-26-06, 08:50 pm

Definitely treat for mites. My vet actually had me treat Polly for mites and fungus/ringworm. She gave her the invermectin shot once a week for two weeks and for about 3 weeks I rubbed Monistat cream on her bald spots. It was mites after all because the hair quit falling out after the first injection but I kept up with the monistat anyway. I think she liked the way it soothed her skin.

**C&K** · #5 03-26-06, 09:53 pm

I'll agree to that. Don't bother with scrapings in the future, just treat, because it can't hurt them anyway, at least not with a standard treatment like Ivermectin. She needs to treat them 3-4 times, 7-10 days apart. She can order the stuff online, and do it herself at home. GL has the very best information on this stuff!

**Sunshyne** · #6 03-26-06, 11:50 pm

Skin scraping are not accurate and in my opinion pigs should be treated as a precautionary measure. It is alot cheaper doing it yourself. I spent $24 all together and have enough Ivermectin to probaly treat every pig in my county. If you are uncertain on how to do it yourself GL has some great rescue members that are pros at treating for mites. If you need a link I will give you one for the rub on (it seems to be the easiest). Just PM me and let me know.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password