Parasites: Oh no!

[Mhera]

I've recently adopted 2 sows. They are sisters, have been together probably all of their lives. I discovered that they have lice, both do. Is it necessary to seperate them for quarantine? These two have, like I said, have been together all their lives, lived in the same cage all their lives, eaten the same food, etc. Or would seperating them make getting rid of the lice easier?

[Peggysu]

There is no need to quarantine if they have already been housed together. I don't think separating them would get rid of the lice easier. You just have make sure you clean everything!

[rabbitsncavyluv]

You need to treat them both for the lice so there is no reason to separate them.

If you have any other pigs, they need to be treated too.

Get Advatange or Revolution Guinea Lynx :: Lice

[Mhera]

The sisters have been apart from Biscuit because of quarantine, do I still treat her? Also, my dad went to the vet and they didn't have Advantage or Revolution, he got something called Ovitrol Plus, comes in a spray bottle. It's for kittens/cats/puppies/dogs/ponies/horses. Says it kills and repels fleas, ticks, lice, flies, mosquitoes and gnats, also kills flea eggs. I used it yesterday, spraying it onto a washrag and working it into their fur, avoiding their faces. So far, no ill effects, but they still seem to be itching, though not as much as before.

[guineapigluver1]

Originally Posted by Mhera

The sisters have been apart from Biscuit because of quarantine, do I still treat her? Also, my dad went to the vet and they didn't have Advantage or Revolution, he got something called Ovitrol Plus, comes in a spray bottle. It's for kittens/cats/puppies/dogs/ponies/horses. Says it kills and repels fleas, ticks, lice, flies, mosquitoes and gnats, also kills flea eggs. I used it yesterday, spraying it onto a washrag and working it into their fur, avoiding their faces. So far, no ill effects, but they still seem to be itching, though not as much as before.

I've never heard of Ovtrol Plus, but I know you can get Advantage (and Revolution) on Amazon, and a lot of other places online.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

That sounds like bad news. You need to get Advantage or Revolution. It's for dogs and cats. Off label use for guinea pigs. It's much safer and effective than what you are using.

Can you safely bathe them to wash it off? The fact that they are itching more.. it may have poisoned them or something.

[Ly&Pigs]

he got something called Ovitrol Plus, comes in a spray bottle

Sprays are dangerous and often toxic to our furry little friends. I'd discontinue use immediately and try to find Advantage or Revolution. I'd also do as Rabbits advised and bathe them to get the remaining spray off them.

[Mhera]

They are not itching more.. I said they are itching less now than before I gave them the stuff. It's been 3 days now and they are showing no ill effects, still as lively and argumentative as usual. I understand the fears of giving them stuff that's untested on piggies, but the vet reccomended it since it can be used (if sparingly) on kittens and puppies. When I put it on them, I used it pretty carefully, spraying it onto the washrag then rubbing them down, avoiding their faces. It seems to be working, checked Spanky over and didn't see anything. I'll check her again tomorrow, her sister and my 3rd pig as well, though they are apart.

[Mhera]

A week after giving it to them, the lice and eggs are dead. I'm going to give all my piggies baths to get rid of the remaining Ovitrol.

[TJStamper]

Sounds like your lice is gone! Yay!

I took my piggies to the vet today (first visit). They've always been together ... one has lice, the other doesnt but they were both treated. Doc gave them a topical treatment behind their ears and then Frontline for me to spray down their cage (after I clean it out of course) and the surrounding areas. She said to do that again in 30 days. I hope it goes away ... Taz is really scratching a lot - I feel bad for him.

[Mhera]

Beware, frontline is more for larger animals, it might be off-lable use for the guinea pig. It's stronger than the stuff I used, which was safe for kittens and puppies.

[TJStamper]

Originally Posted by Mhera

Beware, frontline is more for larger animals, it might be off-lable use for the guinea pig. It's stronger than the stuff I used, which was safe for kittens and puppies.

The Frontline isn't for use directly on the pigs ... it's a cleaning application for their cage. They have to be removed and the application has to dry for 30-45 minutes before their new bedding and them can be put back in. I don't know what she treated them with at the office ... it was not Frontline. It was a treatment used, as you said, for kittens and it was a tiny amount. It was topical and she applied it just behind their ears.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Can you find out what she gave them at the office?

I wouldn't use frontline at all near them. It's toxic to small animals. The stuff has killed rabbits.

[TJStamper]

Originally Posted by rabbitsncavyluv

Can you find out what she gave them at the office?

I wouldn't use frontline at all near them. It's toxic to small animals. The stuff has killed rabbits.

Sorry for the delayed response ... I can't seem to track threads I've posted to. Very odd ... it says I have "no subscriptions". So I have to try to remember where I posted. Anyhow ...

I checked my online vet records and I think this is what she gave them (in a VERY small dose):

Advantage Multi Feline single 1-9#

She said it was intended for kittens but it was safe for my piggies too in the dose she gave them. She specializes in small animals and exotics and a local rescue recommended her to me. I really don't think she would give them something that would kill them.

The FrontLine was for cleaning the cage - it was not used directly on the pigs.

Hope that helps!