Mites?

[Mags&Abby'sMom]

I am probably being extremely paranoid, but oh well. I noticed that one of my pigs was shedding a lot when I picked her up this morning. Also, I think that it looks like there is a small (probably 1/16th of an inch) spot where her hair is thinning. The other two look fine. I am assuming that she has mites, just to be on the safe and overly cautious side. I will treat all three, even though only one appears to be showing signs of mites.
I have several questions.
How do they catch mites? I keep their cage very clean. I have had them for over a year and they have never had mites before. There have been no changes in their environment. I am just curious as to how they catch them.
Second, I know that you can treat mites with both Ivermectin and Revolution. Which one is better? What kind of experiences have others had with them? Where can I pick them up?
Lastly, should I take the girls to the vet first, or should I just treat them with one of those medicines?

[clotho]

Hi there. It does sound as if your piggie has an issue like mites, lice or fungus going on. It is always best (and NOT paranoid) to treat ALL your piggies regardless if they are showing symptoms or not, since mites are highly contagious. If you treat one and not the others, chances are the others will just reinfect the first one.

Mites lie dormant on your piggies and come out in times of stress. It's nothing you did wrong - it's not that your cage isn't clean or anything. It's just something that happens.

Check through your piggies' fur and see if you see anything crawling on them. If you do, then it's probably lice rather than mites. Mites cannot be seen with the naked eye. I'd use ivermectin for mites, but if it's lice I'd recommend Advantage. Here in Canada I had to get Advantage from a vet.

You can buy ivermectin at feed stores or online and treat your piggies yourself if you wish. If you are uncertain at all about what your piggie has, or aren't confident in the dosage, definately take her to the vet. Just make sure it's a cavy savy vet. Also, if you do go to the vet, make sure you don't let the vet do a skin scraping to test for mites. Most times you will get a false negative result because the vet has to scrape in the exact spot where there are mites to get a positive result. It's painful for your piggie too.

Please note ivermectin needs to be given at least 3 or 4 times about a week apart to be fully effective. Advantage is one treatment that lasts for 30 days.

Here are some good links for you to check out:

Guinea Lynx :: Mange Mites
Guinea Lynx :: Lice
Guinea Lynx :: Ivermectin Topical Treatment
Guinea Lynx :: Topic - I cannot believe I missed this
Guinea Lynx :: Topic - Advantage (imidacloprid) for Lice

[Ly&Pigs]

It really doesn't sound like mites to me. Some degree of shedding is normal in pigs and a 1/16 area of thinning hair doesn't indicate mites. You can treat them and it won't hurt them if they don't have them.

[Mags&Abby'sMom]

I made a vet appointment for the girls on Saturday. I figured that will be enough time for me to watch them and see if the symptoms get any worse. I know I will only feel better if I take them to the vet and make sure they are okay.