Black Things???

[lmracing8l]

Hi, I was holding one of my boys for lap time today and I noticed some black stuff like dandruff only black. I have tried to find something on this and I cannot find anything. Has anyone had any experience with this or know what it is? Thanks

[Haley0489]

Are you sure it's not just debris?
Black dandruff is usually associated with fleas, not common but not unheard of in piggies. My pigs some times have black flecks in their fur, it's usually just debris from hay etc.

[lmracing8l]

it could be, I'm not sure. I don't remember seeing it before.

[lmracing8l]

Forgot to mention, they just got done with ivermectin treatments probably 2 or 3 weeks ago.

[pigsmakemesmile]

Black debris....could be from their bedding. However...you state they just got done with ivermectin treatments. Are they scratching? If yes and there is black debris...it may be flea waste....contact your vet for advisement.

[PrayerWarrior]

If it was fleas though, you'd be feeling them EVERYWHERE. On you, your clothes, the pigs' cage, quite literally...everywhere.

Are they moving?

[lmracing8l]

No, they are not moving. That was the first thing I checked, because I thought of fleas.

[lmracing8l]

They are just like black dots in his fur. I haven't had him on black fleece or new fleece or anything like that. No new hay, same stash I have been using. Nothing really has chaned, except me noticing the black things in his fur.

[CavyKeeper]

As Haley0489 suggested, it could just be debris. I had a similar issue with my little girl. These tiny black specks would occasionally appear on her from the bedding and hay she tromped around in. A bath and a brushing took care of the problem.

[lmracing8l]

It has to be debris, today he does not have it. Go figure. At first I thought maybe I was crazy, because I didn't see them today. Thanks for the help.

[charlie23]

if it happens again and pos fleas get the balck bits on to a white piece of paper sprinkle with water if goes red its fleas as its there waste products and they eat blood

[PIGGYMAMMA495]

So, what your saying is: "If you put the black specs on a white piece of paper and put a bit of a sprinkle of water on them, if they turn red they are fleas? I honestly never heard that one, does it really work and have you had luck with this in the past. I hate to sound like a skeptic, but I never heard it and Im interested. Has anyone ever heard of this? Uh I really dont know what to think here?

[bamby71994]

One time I found black things on my pigs and when I was watching them I noticed that it came from the cage which I cleaned right away! I would have done it the next day if not noticed.

[VoodooJoint]

Originally Posted by PIGGYMAMMA495

So, what your saying is: "If you put the black specs on a white piece of paper and put a bit of a sprinkle of water on them, if they turn red they are fleas? I honestly never heard that one, does it really work and have you had luck with this in the past. I hate to sound like a skeptic, but I never heard it and Im interested. Has anyone ever heard of this? Uh I really dont know what to think here?

Yes it works. Flea "dirt" is actually their feces. Their feces are basically dried blood. If you remove some of that black "dirt", place it on a white piece of paper or paper towel and add a little water the blood reconstitutes and turns red again.

I have bathed badly fleas infested animals before and the water will run off red or pink because of the large amount of flea dirt on them.

[PIGGYMAMMA495]

Wow That is some neat little tip there. I put it in my guinea pig care binder. I can't wait to tell all my friends with animals. I haven't had flea problems yet, but if I ever do and am curious if they are fleas Im trying that. I guess I need to do more research on parasites and things like that. Very Interesting and Helpful. Thanks Charlie23 and VJ. I learned something else this morning!

[charlie23]

Sorry i read my previus post and realised i should have explained it more sorry.