I just got a new guinea pig. I've quarantined her for now. I wanted to check to see if she had lites or mites, so I was looking and brushing through her hair. I noticed there are a few VERY small brown/black specks in her fur (kind of near the outward tip of the hair). I can't tell if they're moving at all. She's an abyssinian, by the way. Could it be dandruff? Is having dandruff bad? Should I give her a bath? Take her to a vet?
Sorry, I meant lice. Could fleas be another possibility?Originally Posted by leddybug
I'm sorry for posting again. I don't think there's an edit option? Anyway, I want to add more information that may be useful for the rest of you to know. I just got her today. She's mostly white with brown patches on her eyes and hind legs. I was worried about parasites because I didn't get her in the best of conditions. She's quite young still and her feces are black (I'm worried about that too--any advice?). She's an abyssinian, so she's got "bald" spots where the fur grows from, so I can't tell if she's really got bald problems. She hasn't been scratching at all. The black specks really scared me, because I REALLY don't want to deal with bugs on our pets (we have 2 cats, 1 dog, and 2 guinea pigs). I noticed them at the tips of her hairs. I've been reading different articles on the internet, and it sounds like it could be flea "debris." I've never had this problem with my other guinea pig.
Do you actually see any fleas or lice on her? Both are visible to the naked eye. Fleas don't usually live on pigs, but it's possible there are some there. Fleas are the only things that can be passed to the cats and dog, but all three (lice, fleas, or mites) can be passed to the other pigs, of course.
You might want to treat her proactively with Revolution.
Does each hair strand have the specks? Can the specks be removed?
No, I can't see anything moving on her. There were about 10 specks total. I combed them out. They were black when they were on the hairs, but when they hit the bristles (which were slightly wet since I had just cleaned it), they were a rusty color, which led me to suspect fleas. Revolution, is that something I'd have to get from the vet? I'm going to visit the vet this week to check up on her, so I suppose he'll be able to tell me what's going on. I'll have to let you know if I have this same trouble afterwards. I'd still like to give her a bath sometime after this matter is cleared up. Perhaps I can ask advice on what kind of shampoo is okay? What's the best way to go about giving a piggy a bath, anyway?
Here is some info on bathing--
http://www.guinealynx.info/grooming.html#bathing
Revolution can only be gotten from a vet (although you can order some online from Australia). Ask your vet about it.
Got it. Thanks a bunch!
I just wanted to update that I did go to the vet. He said it's some kind of caroten or something or other. Anyway, perfectly normal, and she's healthy.
Is caroten just dandruff then? Mine is the same color and type. She seemed to itch a lot the first day she was here but I haven't noticed anything more. She had what looked like light dandruff on her.
You probably know what it might be by now from everyone answering but I actually had personal experience recently with this same problem. Its lice.
My girls had it when I brought them home. I treated it myself by going and getting a tiny cc syringe and some liquid ivermectin from the farm store. I have them the right amount dosage 4 times, once every week. It cleared it right up!
Hope this helps.
just read you updated post, That sounds fishy to me. I wouldnt think dandruff would be black specks. I'd treat you pig for parasites. Thats my opinion.
Dandruff on black skinned pigs is black.
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