Conditions Maybe mites + seizure? - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**Porky's Mom** · #1 10-07-09, 06:02 am

My almost 1 year old neutered male piglet, Pumpkin, has been itching himself. I have taken him to the vet several times since he was born, although not recently, since he goes in spurts where he itches really bad around his neck - like where a mane would be if he was a lion. He has little sores there from where he itches. He also has the dandruff-like condition on the end of his back by his little butt where his skin is flaky. I know this all sounds like mites, but the vet didn't find anything in scrapings (I know they are unreliable) and they never get worse. The biggest indicator that they aren't mites, vet says, is that none of the other pigs have symptoms. None of them itch themselves like he does. He does this worse when he's stressed, leading me to think he has an anxiety condition.

My concern is that the other day I was holding him and itching his back. He was sitting on a slope on the pillow and toppled over backwards itching himself. He was so consumed with itching himself that he didn't try to get back up, then he contorted into a really weird position for several second and his eyes looked very strange. I was scared to death but this episode ended after a few minutes. I am afraid he had a seizure, as this has happened another time since then when I was itching him. Could it be a muscle crap or something that he gets when he's stretched into a funny position itching himself? I don't know what's going on but it's freaking me out. I will call the vet this week but I'm afraid I'm going to take him in and she won't find anything in the scrapings like last time. What else could it be?

If on the off-chance he has mites and none of my other 5 pigs do, I know I will have to treat them all with Ivermectin. I will do what I have to but I know it will cost hundreds of dollars to get all their shots x3 or however many times it is.

I forgot to mention that the flakiness on his back gets better when I put lotion on it. I know it sounds weird but I tried it - unscented lotion - on his back and it seemed to help. Anything topical I could put on his itchy spots?

Any input would be appreciated. Has anyone ever seen a pig do this?

**ILovesMePiggies** · #2 10-07-09, 08:02 am

Sounds to me like it may be a fungal skin infection. Here a link to a website that will tell you a bit more and also sells shampoos, creams and lotions that can help with such problems (and various other guinea pig skin problems); as well as normal shampoos for health piggies.
Gorgeous Guineas
Hope that helps and that your little lad gets better.

DalesLass · #3 10-07-09, 09:15 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porky's Mom

He was so consumed with itching himself that he didn't try to get back up, then he contorted into a really weird position for several second

I would say that this is the absolute classic signs of severe mite infestation. He needs treatment urgently.

I am unfamiliar with products available in USA - other members can give you info - but it is not necessary to spend hundreds of dollars treating for mites. There are various 'spot-on' treatments (containing Ivermectin) available from pet shops and supermarkets in UK, I'm sure you will be able to find something where you are.
This is generally all that you would need to treat an initial infestation of mites but, as this pig sounds badly infested it may be a good idea on this occasion to take him to the vet. The vet may give him a stronger dose of ivermectin than the one advised on non-prescription packages that you can buy in stores.

He may ALSO have fungal infection but this may be a secondary opportunistic infection that has taken hold because of the damaged skin.

**MapleOwl18** · #4 10-07-09, 10:23 am

Here's the guinea pig lynx page on fungus.
http://www.guinealynx.info/fungus.html

The one on mites
http://www.guinealynx.info/mites.html

Skin scrapings are unrealiable. My vet basically uses a clear peice of tape on their fur instead and then looks at the resulting fur under a microscope. She usually finds mites, or their eggs this way. Seizures are also a symptom of mites. As for the other pigs not having signs of mites, their mites may simply be under control, and their systems in better shape than the pig in question. Mites under normal circumstances don't go away they go into remission, until the piggy is stressed with illness or some external factor, like getting a new cage mate. So a piggy can basically be mites carrier and not show any symptoms.

You also might want to post here if the problem continues.
http://www.guinealynx.info/forums/viewforum.php?f=2

They're a board that specializes in guinea pig diseases and conditions and where I'm getting this information from.

**akstrohm** · #5 10-07-09, 10:51 am

If it is mites, you can treat with ivermectin orally or topically. Shots are painful anyway. You don't actually need a prescription, but a vet visit might be a good idea to rule out fungal infections or other problems. A tube of horse paste ivermectin can be dilulted out. It will cost only a few dollars and be enough for all your pigs to get several treatments.

**Porky's Mom** · #6 10-07-09, 04:08 pm

Thanks for all the responses! I will call the vet tomorrow and ask them what they think. Hopefully I will be able to get him in soon and do the non-prescription Ivermectin. I'll keep his status posted.

**Porky's Mom** · #7 10-16-09, 07:48 am

I called the vet and the earliest they can get my 3 in is next Monday afternoon. I gave them a bath in aloe/oatmeal shampoo yesterday. If you just watched them you wouldn't notice anything out of the ordinary except for they do itch more than the others. I can't figure out how they would have gotten mites in the first place but the symptoms are textbook.

Have others have infestations visibly affect only some of their pigs? I know this is possible but I find it strange that it hasn't affected my older pig or young pig. The itchy ones have pretty bad scabs but are eating, drinking, pooping, and peeing just fine. Pumpkin only does the seizure-like thing if I itch on him or pet him the wrong way. He is definitely sore though as he does not like being handled right now but tolerates being petted.

Is there anything I can do in the meantime to make them more comfortable? When I called the vet this morning I asked the secretary to ask the vet the same question and call me back if there is anything I can do. Hopefully they will be okay til Monday. They don't really have bald patches but they do have the scabs. I feel like a terrible pet parent for not getting them in to the vet sooner, but we have been more concerned about our older pig with the health issues (in my other post) and haven't noticed this as much lately.

Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks.

**akstrohm** · #8 10-16-09, 08:55 am

Don't bathe them again. It won't get rid of the mites and will only irritate their skin more.

Mites are typically dormant in all guinea pigs and can flair up in times of stress. So where they got it from isn't much of an issue. It's very likely that all your pigs will have it and just aren't showing symptoms yet. You need to treat them all. Treatment won't hurt in any way.

I would get ivermectin and treat them on your own if you can. Guinea Lynx has all the info on where to get it, what dosage to use, and how to give it. If they are having seizures, it's best not to wait until Monday.

**Porky's Mom** · #9 10-16-09, 10:11 am

If they turn out to have something other than mites, could the Ivermectin hurt them? I know you said it couldn't hurt in any way but it's a medication so it makes me nervous to give it to them on my own. I am just afraid of doing more harm than good by trying to help before they get checked out by the vet.

The one pig only has the seizure-type episode if I itch at his sore places. I have seen him itching himself but haven't seen him go into these spasms on his own.

PS: I see on guinealynx that they recommend use of ivermectin under the supervision of a vet. To ensure dosage is correct and mites are the problem.

My pig is still eating, drinking, pooping, playing, and all that good stuff, he is just itching himself a lot. Hopefully he will be okay until Monday. : (

**akstrohm** · #10 10-16-09, 10:59 am

It is very likely to be mites from what you describe. And even if it isn't, no, the ivermectin won't hurt.

I agree that a vet appointment is a good idea, but since it will take a while to get him in, I would get him started on ivermectin sooner. Mites are very painful. Dosing a guinea pig and diluting the ivermectin is not difficult. If you want to post your calculations here to make sure they are accurate, feel free to do so. If you really don't feel comfortable with it, then wait. Either way, I would still see the vet on Monday.

**Peggysu** · #11 10-16-09, 11:42 am

In the mean time I would suggest finding a new vet!

Treating for mites doesn't do any harm.

**JD In Van** · #12 10-16-09, 11:54 am

My vet told me yesterday that some pigs do have reactions to ivermectin and he's seen too many cavy's and other animals be accedently over dosed with it to advise using it as a precausionary measure or a home remedy. (Keeping in mind, I'm in Canada, our concentrations, packaging and branding's a little differant, it's pretty much only available for horses here that I can find) So not to just self prescribe it, that they should come in and be looked at especially the first time that they're treated with it so he can show you how to properly dose them and can rule out other things. Which falls in line with what you read in guineapiglynx's site.

I was talking to the the vet cause my boys have similiar itchiness, white flakes, no sores, no hair loss, one was irritable and nippy when touched on the rump. He proscribed Advantage and by this morning I noticed a marked improvement in the itchy guy which leads me now to believe it was lice not mites but regardless. The Doctor knew best (which is what I pay him the big bucks for after all!).

I'd totally recommend you at least phone your vet before treating if you're not comfortable doing it yourself. Often my vet I can't get in to see same day but I can almost always get him on the phone same day. Maybe he can advise you on or walk you through your calculations for dosage which would make you feel more comfortable.

**Porky's Mom** · #13 10-16-09, 12:10 pm

The secretary called me back and said that the vet said there wasn't anything I could do in the meantime until we can get in. This pig has a history of medical issues so I'm afraid to medicate without the vet checking him out first as he's been a delicate little guy.

I would assume that if they wanted me to give him Ivermectin the vet would have recommended that to me. I didn't speak directly with the vet, I spoke with the secretary. I will try to get ahold of them again today and see if there is anything I can do. I know vets, like regular doctors, don't like to make recommendations without actually seeing their patients. This is just basic good practice. However, I don't want my piggy to be itchy all weekend if I can do something to temporarily relieve his symptoms until I can get him into the vet. I will see what they say. Thanks for the input guys!

**Paula** · #14 10-16-09, 12:53 pm

You aren't likely to overdose on Ivermectin and it isn't likely to hurt, but I can understand your reluctance to treat if the pig has a history of medical issues. Lotions and baths aren't going to help the situation and will likely make it worse, even if it does seem to get better initially, so please dispense with both if you haven't already.

The pig has been having itchy skin with what sounds like seizures for over a week now, and he is no doubt very uncomfortable, so if there's a vet you can get him into sooner than Monday, that is the best route, because pigs are very delicate creatures and this is the type of thing that seems rather benign to start with but can flare into a much larger issue in no time.

In the future it would be best to have the pig treated as soon as you notice symptoms, especially symptoms this severe, rather than waiting, so that the condition doesn't get worse, and so that the pig isn't uncomfortable and/or in pain any longer than he absolutely has to be.

**Porky's Mom** · #15 10-20-09, 05:44 am

Finally made it to the vet on Monday. He obviously suspects mites. We are trying Revolution by his recommendation since it takes the single dose and he said people have good luck with it. Dosed them last night, and scoured and changed their house. Hopefully they will be all better soon!

Anyone else have luck with Revolution? I have read mixed reviews elsewhere.

Other vet said it's okay to treat Beanie (oldest female) with the Revolution even though she's having a mammary cyst/tumor removed on Friday. I mentioned her in a different post.

**Jennicat** · #16 10-20-09, 06:01 am

We use Revolution exclusively for our pigs, rabbits, rats, etc, in the rescue, and we've never had a problem with it.

**akstrohm** · #17 10-20-09, 08:36 am

Revolution is great.

**Porky's Mom** · #18 10-21-09, 07:02 pm

How long did it take for your pigs to get some relief from the mites? Mine had their dose of Revolution yesterday and are still very itchy. Pumpkin itched himself into another seizure/fit today and it scared me to death. The vet said it could take 1-2 weeks before symptoms are cleared up. Did it take this long for your pigs to stop itching? Is there anything I can do in the meantime to give mine some comfort? They are so itchy. : (

"Thank you, Paula, for this useful post," say these 2 members:
katiewilson (10-16-09), Peggysu (10-16-09)