New buddy for Munchie~

[Kirino]

So today we bought a companion for Munchie. His name is Nibbler. He's black, and really cute. He's about a month or two old. We're doing the quarantine, obviously.

We're taking Nibbler to the vet's office though. I noticed after we got him that he had white things stuck to the fur on top of his head, and thought it was odd. Then we brought him back, I gave him his first bath, and then after I got him dry, I found them. He has either mites or lice. Little white bugs, absolutely horrible. After we get back from the vet's with him, we're going to call the place we got him and tell them that their guinea pigs may have them as well.

^^ I'll take and post pictures after we get back from the vet's~ We'll definitely get this little guy healthy again! :3

[Hhbean]

Sorry to hear about your bug problem. Can't wait to see your pics!

[Kirino]

@Hhbean:

Thank you for the concern. ^^ Little Nibbler will be okay with his treatments. He has a small case of lice. The vet told us to buy a certain powder pesticide to treat them. They already seem to be going away. :3

I'll post pics asap~ He's wet right now, I gave him a bath.

[pinky]

You don't want to use the powder on guinea pigs. Advantage is more effective and safe. Here's a link for more information:
http://www.guinealynx.info/lice.html
You can transfer lice or eggs on your hands or clothing. You need to treat your other one if they've been near or in contact with him or if you handled the other one after handling Nibbler.

[bpatters]

You also need to thoroughly clean his cage and everything in it every time you treat him for the lice, and certainly no less often than once a week while he's being treated.

Ditto Pinky about the powder. I'm not a fan of powders on small animals -- there's too much chance of them inhaling it, or ingesting it when they're grooming themselves. I'd ask the vet for Advantage, and while at it, try to find out how much exotics experience this vet has.

[Kirino]

@pinky:

I'm just doing what the vet said to do. I don't have gobs of money to buy expensive treatments like that which are made for fleas. I appreciate the concern and tip, but I'm going to listen to a licensed veterinarian over a random person on the internet, no offence. ^^; And Munchie and Nibbler have NOT been in contact, as I said in my first post, Nibbler is in "quarantine" which you should know what that is. Munchie does not have lice, I've checked him multiple times since I brought Nibbler into the house, they havn't come in contact with each other, anything the other has touched, or anything. I'm not going to subject Munchie to treatment when the vet said not to when he doesn't have lice.

@bpatters:

I cleaned his cage this morning, and I set it up yesterday before I got him. I know I have to keep it clean, I know the lice could get into the fleece. I have it covered, so no worries.

And I know those risks, but I'm still going to listen to the Vet. I didn't want to use it either, but it's actually working very well. I don't see any live lice on Nibbler since treatment started, I've been combing him gently with the comb she gave me, I bathed him thoroughly yesterday and today. (Which are both of the day's that I've had him so far.) I can't afford expensive treatments like Advantage or Advantix or whatever, and I certainly can't afford to go back to the vet's at this time. Spent over 100 dollars and it cleaned me out. You'd be lucky to get a moth out of my wallet.

---

I'm sorry to both of you, but I do believe that I should listen to a licensed vet over people online. ^^ This thread wasn't asking for advice, honestly. I posted because I wanted to introduce my new Guinea Pig, and state how he has an issue that's currently being cared for. I selected "fur" as the prefix because that fit the thread and it wouldn't let me /not/ chose a prefix. ^^; I havn't even had time to take pictures I've been so busy caring for my pets.

I really mean no insult to either of you. Or to anyone else. I don't want this thread, meant to tell about my new guinea pig, to turn into a big debate, argument, or anything else. Perhaps this thread should be left alone now.. I really don't want any conflict, and I do have to admit I have a conflicting nature. Which is why I'm trying to de-fuse anything before it happens. ^^

[SurfingPigs]

Even though you stated quarantine, I think others were just mentioning important things to help you out, out of an abundance of caution. This website is a helpful tool for cavy owners to learn more about their pigs, and sometimes another owner can throw in an important fact that was overlooked. Usually advice can be taken or left with a simple "thank you". Some new cavy owners overlook the fact that they must completely wash their hands/arms and change clothes between handling pigs, especially pigs with lice or mites. I am sure you know this though.

I really mean no insult to either of you. Or to anyone else. I don't want this thread, meant to tell about my new guinea pig, to turn into a big debate, argument, or anything else. Perhaps this thread should be left alone now.. I really don't want any conflict, and I do have to admit I have a conflicting nature. Which is why I'm trying to de-fuse anything before it happens. ^^

Maybe a simple "okay" and not ranting about how you don't want to "listen to people online" would have helped you avoid the explanations.

Some vets that are not cavy savvy have been known to mistakenly prescribe dangerous and deadly meds to guinea pigs based upon what little rodent knowledge they have. The medical forums at Guinealynx are ripe with stories of vets misprescribing medications that could kill guinea pigs. Luckily, their owners were smart enough to not just take the vets word. I hope you have ensured that your vet is cavy savvy.

[lissie]

Welcome to GPC. Everyone here is concerned for your guinea pig. Powders are not recommended because they contain pesticides.

Your vet doesn't sound like a guinea pig vet. "Licensed Vet" doesn't mean they have experience with guinea pigs. They could be dog or cat vet.

[Hhbean]

Sorry your having to deal with piggie problems and are feeling overwhelmed by all the suggestions. Being a new cavy owner can be quiet expensive! Hope everything works out for you and don't worry about posting pics anytime soon(I just love looking at piggies)!

[Kirino]

@lissie:

Thanks, but my first post in the newbie forum was over a week ago~

All products for getting rid of "pests" contain pesticides. Even the flea and tick stuff mentioned above. You can't kill them and get rid of them without it. You can't just use random things and expect it to work. Even human lice shampoos contain pesticide.

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In general: (directed at nobody in particular)

Now. I'm done with this thread since no one can stay on topic. I never once asked for advice, nor for second guesses. I really do wish to defuse this before it becomes a huge argument ending with me being banned. Because those are both bad things. So if we could drop it since it's blown out of proportion and is no longer about what it was intended to be about. If it can't be dropped then I'll just leave the site. I really don't want conflict but it seems like this site is very, very conflicting and controversial. Trying to force something onto someone is wrong and gets you no where.

[SurfingPigs]

"Trying to force something onto someone is wrong and gets you no where."

People are merely offering advice, not trying to "force something" onto you. Just providing suggestions that you could have very easily read over and ignored. If someone posts on this forum, others share their thoughts out of their love and care for guinea pigs. Those who get offended by these kind suggestions are typically the ones missing the point of an internet discussion forum. Nobody is trying to attack you, myself included, but you seem to be very touchy about others offering care tips for your guinea pig. I hope you choose to simply see these suggestions for what they are instead of personalizing them.

[Paula]

Hi there, and welcome to the forum. I'm sorry that you feel you're being given conflicting and controversial suggestions or advice here, but let me assure you that there have been many, many sad stories of folks taking their pigs to vets who are mainly geared toward treating and seeing dogs and cats who have gotten poor advice without knowing it and following it has been to the detriment of their guinea pigs; unfortunately sometimes resulting in death.

You might not realize this but guinea pigs are considered "exotics" and they require specialized care and veterinary treatment that a large majority of "standard" dog and cat vets just aren't equipped to give. Having dealt with both, I can guarantee you that if you'd seen a cavy savvy vet, s/he'd not have recommended a pesticide powder for the treatment of lice or mites, but rather ivermectin (quite cheap and available over the counter) or something like Revolution or Advantage.

Like I said, welcome to the forum - it's obvious you're here to learn and to give your piggy the best care possible. That's what the members who have posted in this thread have tried to provide; I'm sorry it's come across as something otherwise to you.

Another small note - I think it would be wise for you to hold off on getting another guinea pig until you've got a reasonable vet fund built up. Having such can be a life saver in emergencies; and as you've probably already discovered, guinea pigs can be quite expensive not just to care for properly but also, especially, in areas requiring proper veterinary attention.

Now, all that said - to the other posters, the topics have been covered. We don't need to keep rehashing the same information. It's up to the OP to take it or leave it, so let's just let it be at this point.

To the OP - again, welcome, and please stick around. Your pig(s) will definitely benefit from your doing so.