Bug infestation!! - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**MuffinsMom** · #1 11-12-08, 08:07 am

So we got our new little girl - she's even smaller than Muffin! Don't get me started on the procurement of our new baby *sigh*

While I was examining her I noticed a TON of these little crawly things on her. They look to me like iddy biddy maggots, ie little worm type things, that appeared to die when I rubbed her fur close to her skin. They are whiteish with maybe a yellowish tinge. There were tons of them.

In addition there are little tiny egg looking things by her eyes and in/around her ears. They look like little white dots and are sticking - they are very hard to get off.

I have no idea if these are mites or lice. I looked on Guinea Lynx for information and assume that they are either Chirodiscoides Caviae (static lice), Cheyletiella parasitivorax (walking dandruff), or something else. Looking on some websites they look sort of like the picture C under Lice on this page: http://www.radil.missouri.edu/info/d...gleyer.Against my best judgement we gave her a bath and blowdryed her hair (from a safe distance, using recommendations on how to give a bath) and are hoping that helps some.

ANy thoughts on what this might be? I'd love to get my hands on some ivermectin; are there vets on line I can order it from?

**MuffinsMom** · #2 11-12-08, 08:33 am

Or would something like this work: Johnsons Small Animal Insecticidal Shampoo

From pictures we're pretty sure they're just lice - we wouldn't really be able to see mites from my understanding. Ick.

**Ly&Pigs** · #3 11-12-08, 04:11 pm

You don't want to use insecticidal shampoos. Only shampoos formulated for small furries like rabbits, ferrets, pigs, etc. with no medications or insecticides.

You can order ivermectin online and you don't have to order it through a vet.

**piggyluv** · #4 11-12-08, 04:28 pm

You can order it here:http://www.lambertvetsupply.com/sbsi...mectin+pour-on
It's the first one, the 250 mL one.
Did you read the GuineaLynx page on dosing Ivermectin? Young guinea pigs are supposed to be at least 340 oz. before being safe to dose them.

**Ly&Pigs** · #5 11-12-08, 08:27 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by piggyluv

Did you read the GuineaLynx page on dosing Ivermectin? Young guinea pigs are supposed to be at least 340 oz. before being safe to dose them.

It's not 340oz., it's 12oz. I think you saw where it says 340 grams and confused that with ounces.

**MuffinsMom** · #6 11-13-08, 01:03 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by piggyluv

You can order it here:http://www.lambertvetsupply.com/sbsi...mectin+pour-on
It's the first one, the 250 mL one.
Did you read the GuineaLynx page on dosing Ivermectin? Young guinea pigs are supposed to be at least 340 oz. before being safe to dose them.

Yep, I've read all the sites on dosing, when you can do it and what should work best. I'm still debating Advantage, which I think works better for lice, and Ivermectin, which works for lots of other things, just in case/in the future.

I am concerned about waiting til she is 12oz (I think it's bigger for Advantage) but they don't seem to be bothering her. In addition, it's gonna take several weeks/a month to get anything to me (unless anyone has a spare dose of Advantage that they want to send a poor Peace Corps Volunteer in Africa and her two adorable piggies! :o) )

**plopper** · #7 11-14-08, 04:59 am

Can I suggest in the absence of the aforementioned treatments that you use oil and a nit comb. Oily products can suffocate Lice I have in the past used this method on expectant rescues - after applying the oil and combing well you must lightly apply the shampoo before wetting and this way she will not be left greasy.

eta- The treatment must be repeated seven days later since eggs left behind will have hatched.