new guinea pig owner with some questions.

[rangomango]

Hi i have a few questions, i have had my cute piggy for six months, he has always been happy and jumped around. but ever since he was little he did not like to be pet, he would rumble. lately he would squeal if i scratch his lower back. i checked him out to see if he was ok. no bleeding on his skin or lots of hair loss just a little dandruff. he scratches normal and eats and plays just as much. so could he have mites? he has always been a nibbler, nibbles on any and everything he can get his mouth onto is that normal? any help would be great - love kayla and rango

[CavyMama]

Squeeling like in pain when touched could be a sign of mites. They tend to be very painful for pigs. Mites will burrow under the skin and cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Another sign to be on the lookout for is bald patches. That's a textbook sign of mites. The flakes could be another sign of mites.

As for the chewing, yes, guinea pigs chew on everything. It's completely normal.

Mites are easy to treat with some topical meds. Ivermectin or Revolution are common medications.

[schavarry]

Mites are easy to treat with some topical meds. Ivermectin or Revolution are common medications.

Ivermectin won't hurt your piggie even if he doesn't have mites so I suggest treating him anyway.

[bpatters]

See www.guinealynx.info/mites.html and www.guinealynx.info/ivermectin.html for information on how to treat for mites. Treating for them yourself is fine as long as you're careful to measure the ivermectin correctly.

[rangomango]

ok thanks everyone im making him a vet appointment so hopefully he is ok just fussy.

[Matyoka]

ok thanks everyone im making him a vet appointment so hopefully he is ok just fussy.

Hello all,

We are new cavy owners, our 10 year old fell in love with a piggy at the pet store two days ago. We came home and I started searching for information and accessories online and I came across a Craigslist posting about a 7 month old Guinea Pig and accessories for sale. Made contact with the poster and we picked him up the next morning. I noticed that there was a V shape mark on his back and the owner told me that it was due to stress after she got him. Not knowing anything about Guinea Pigs, we took her word and brought him home. Being pet owner for most of my life I do care for my canine family members and I started learning about piggy language, their behaviors and common illnesses. When I came across photos of the usual V pattern formation on their backs due to mites... I knew the deal was too good to be true specially that our piggy scratches himself in the mid back area somewhat more than he should. Sent a text to the previous owner asking if I should take him to the vet for mites, but of course no reply arrived... We are animal lovers and hate seeing them suffer or in pain so I will take him to the vet asap.

Knowing to a good percentage what I might be dealing with(mites), wondered about a couple of things:

1. How do you guys transport your little piggies to the vet? Special bag, cage, box?
2. Anything I could do to ease the scratching/self biting for the weekend?

Any help is welcomed!!!

Lev

[schavarry]

Hello all,

Knowing to a good percentage what I might be dealing with(mites), wondered about a couple of things:

1. How do you guys transport your little piggies to the vet? Special bag, cage, box?
2. Anything I could do to ease the scratching/self biting for the weekend?

Any help is welcomed!!!

Lev

This is what I use to get my GPs to and from the vet: Amazon.com: Super Pet Guinea Pig Take Me Home Medium Travel Carrier, Colors Vary: Pet Supplies

I don't know what you can do to ease the itching/scratching but I suggest trying to pick him up as little as possible to avoid getting bit. Also, wash your hands after handling him!

Are they both in the same cage? Or are you quarantining them?

Have you double checked to be sure they are the same gender?

*Edit* If you only have one pig and I read this wrong, ignore the questions above...

[Matyoka]

Yes, we have one and will look around Mesa and see who carries Ivomac and open on a Sunday. I'd like to start treatment as soon as possible. Thanks Schavarry.

[bpatters]

@Matoyka, read www.guinealynx.info/mites.html for information on treating for mites. The pour-on ivermectin is much easier to use than the others.

[Matyoka]

Bpatters,

Read a bunch of your replies and appreciate the help you offer us newbies. I will make some drastic changes in his environment as PJ came with the starter kit from the pet store and eventually we will get him a partner.

On a second note, my wife is wondering about how often are you experienced owners shower your pets? As I mentioned before we got Piggy-John from Craigslist and I believe the owner wanted to get rid of him in lieu of veterinary bills... We don't know if he had any showers in the past as no responses to our text messages are returned.

[bpatters]

I bathe them when they need it, usually when I let their butt skirts get too long and they get poop in them. They keep everything else really clean, so they only need the butt baths. However, my pigs like baths, so I usually wind up completely bathing them.

There's no problem with it as long as you use a mild shampoo designed for exotic pets and rinse them really well afterwards.

[puddin18]

@Matyoka You mentioned you have dogs. If they are small dogs and you have a crate for them you can use that to transport to the vet. I use a small dog crate to take my pig to the vet. She actually likes it. She doesn't hide during the ride in it like she does if I just take her in a box.

Good luck.

[suzilovespiggie]

I see you are in AZ. You can get Ivemectin (horse wormer paste) at your local feed store. WalMart also carries it in the pet/horse section. It has to be deleted with water and can be given every 7-10 days orally. Bpatters gave the links to guinealynx.com. Instructions are there on how to use. It is very easy to use.

[Matyoka]

Hey Suzi,

Appreciate the update. Will go by walmart after dinner and look for it. The guinealynx website has to be the best informative reading on these small creatures... learned a lot since this morning.

[suzilovespiggie]

I see a spelling error on my part. sorry. The ivemectin has to be "diluted" not delteted.
Again all instructions for use is on guinealynx.com

[Matyoka]

Yup, no biggie . Understood what you meant hehehe

[Matyoka]

Unfortunately Walmart did not have the medication nor did petsmart, so I will end up buying it at a local feed store tomorrow morning. Thanks for all the good advises and help.

[Matyoka]

Just called a local feed store and they have ivomec paste and the injection which I believe is on the list. Now, the website has a warning message on every page:

"Remember that you are advised to SEE A VET to ensure your guinea pig is properly treated for mites."

Do I really need a vet knowing what PJ has? I will also do my best to carefully measure the dosage and apply it behind his ears...

[bpatters]

The website doesn't know about Guinea Lynx.

As long as you calculate the dose correctly, and administer it properly, you'll be ok.

[Matyoka]

Got the pour on Ivermax which contains 5 mg ivermectin per ml (5 mg/ml). I will get a scale and measure the piggy momentarily...