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Do guinea pigs get worms?

Maisiepaisie

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I've just been reading on another forum. They strongly recommend worming guinea pigs every 3 months. I never heard this before and theres nothing about it on Guinealynx. Has anyone else heard this advice before?
 

AmberEyedPiggy

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Yeah, I read that forum too...I never heard of that, but I did a research and this is what I found out.
The symptom that there could be a problem is when a piggy eats very well, or even more than usual, but is loosing weight.
You don't have to do it every 3 months, every 6 months are also fine...You have to use Ivormec (Ivermectin) dose, it treats mites as well...It is a syrup I think...
Hope that helps!!I personaly don't do that, I don't think it's needed...
 

Ly&Pigs

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Ivermectin is not a syrup. It's either in a liquid injectable form or a paste that has to be mixed up before dosing. Please know what you are talking about before replying on these types of threads. One piece of false or bad advice can have the potential to harm, even kill a pig.

I've not heard of guinea pigs getting worms either. I think it some type of myth. They don't need de-wormed at all. If they have mites though, they do need to be treated for those.
 

John4216

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Besides ringworms which they can and do get, they are probably getting their information from somewhere like this:

(broken link removed)
 

aqh88

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To get most internal parasites the animals(or humans) have to ingest food that has been contaminated by feces containing the parasites. That means if your pigs are kept inside chances are near impossible they will get worms. Pigs kept outdoors are at a higher risk and pigs that eat grass near areas with animal waste are highly at risk. For most people it's not an issue but I do deworm mine about once a year because I let them run around the horse stalls(cleaned but still more risk) and eat grass fairly close to the horse pasture.
 

rabbitsncavyluv

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Gps can get worms but it is rare unless they are kept in really poor conditions. Oral ivermec will take care of internal parasites, if there are any but you don't need to regularly "worm" your guinea pigs in general.
 

Maisiepaisie

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pigs that eat grass near areas with animal waste are highly at risk.
I never thought about this. Now I'm wondering if its ok to let my pigs graze in the garden as cats occasionally wander in and poo there. Will washing cut grass stop the pigs getting worms from it?
 

Tulia&Susie

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Hmm wow I have never heard of guineapigs getting worms. I never knew that really.
 

Alusdra

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I don't think washing the grass would get rid of the worm eggs. They tend to have coatings that prevent them from falling off with just water. I don't know if the parasites of the cat would be transferable to the cavy. If you're concerned, when you take the guinea pig in for a routine check-up, have the vet do a fecal. They usually are pretty inexpensive.

FYI- ringworm is a fungus.lol
 

rabbitsncavyluv

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I never thought about this. Now I'm wondering if its ok to let my pigs graze in the garden as cats occasionally wander in and poo there. Will washing cut grass stop the pigs getting worms from it?

If animals have defecated there, it isn't that safe. The waste goes into the ground and touches deeper than you can wash off.
 

aqh88

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I'd be more worried about bacteria from cat feces than parasites. Also other illnesses if you don't know who the cats belong to and whether they are healthy. I'd try to find a cleaner area or if you really want to give them clean grass fence off an area uphill with mesh to keep the cats off it and pick the grass from there. Rain washes things downhill so you want to pick an area above the run off.
 

Maisiepaisie

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Its very rare that I do see cat poo. If it is dangerous though then maybe it isn't safe to let pigs graze outside at all. Seeing as cats climb, they could go in any garden, anytime. Fencing it off completely with mesh is a good idea.
 

cavy-cool-crazy

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I asked my old vet about it a couple of years ago, and she said there's no point if you don't put them out to eat grass and if you don't feed lots of unwashed veggies.

I never thought about the uphill area to fence off, but it makes sense now. Thanks aqh!
 
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