'Spot on' treatment? - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**magicroundabout** · #1 06-05-07, 04:46 pm

Hi ya,
My guinea's are going away to a boarder while im on holiday. They will be staying with a boarder who owns horses and the guineas will be in cages next to or near rabbits, so I concidered using 'spot on' (I think Bob Martin makes one) to keep nasties way. But I don't know if it is safe or if it works. I don't trust anything these days.
Has anyone used it or know anything about it? If it isn't any good is there anything else?
Thanks?

**cookie_gal** · #2 06-06-07, 03:34 am

Well it's safe but I don't know if it works. I'd leave it and wait and see how they are when they come back. I board mine at a similar place for holidays and they are always fine. Well its an animal sanctury but they have other piggies, buns etc there.

**VoodooJoint** · #3 06-06-07, 09:28 am

I assume Spot On is a brand name of a topical flea and tick product? What is in it? Until we can clear the ingredients as safe we won't know if it will harm your animals.

**daftscotslass** · #4 06-06-07, 11:37 am

Absolutely no to Bob Martin and Johnson's spot-ons. They contain pyrethins and could risk the life of your pigs.

The only safe spot-on to use is made by a company called Beaphar in which the active ingredient is ivermectin.

**magicroundabout** · #5 06-06-07, 11:47 am

Thank you very much for that!!! I have seen Beaphar in the shops aswell!
Do you know if it works?
Thanks again.

**daftscotslass** · #6 06-07-07, 01:12 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by magicroundabout

Thank you very much for that!!! I have seen Beaphar in the shops aswell!
Do you know if it works?
Thanks again.

Yes it is safe but it is fiddly and the dosing on the package is wrong for pigs that weigh over 1kg (it's an underdose). Search on the GL forums for "Beaphar" and you should find a thread where we worked out the correct dosing information.

**magicroundabout** · #7 06-07-07, 04:52 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by daftscotslass

Yes it is safe but it is fiddly and the dosing on the package is wrong for pigs that weigh over 1kg (it's an underdose). Search on the GL forums for "Beaphar" and you should find a thread where we worked out the correct dosing information.

Thank you very much for helping me! I had a look on the GL forum and found the threads,Thanks!

I am sorry if I sound stupid but I don't know much about invermectin and what I have read is confusing me a bit, is it a preventative for mites or is it a treatment (or can it be used for both) because my guineas are fine I just wanted to make sure they didn't catch anything from the boarder.
Do you think I should use it?
Thanks again (I feel a little silly now

)

**muffin** · #8 06-07-07, 05:04 am

Personally I would wait and see if they show symptoms when they get back.

**JarBax** · #9 06-07-07, 11:28 am

Don't feel silly - I have been keeping up with this thread, as I've yet to treat my piggies for mites - and have been interested to find out what's available in the UK!

As far as I am aware, it is used as a treatment, rather than a preventative measure. However, it is used even if mites are just suspected as it will not do any harm either way.

Like Muffin, I would feel inclined to wait until your pigs are home from their holiday, and then treat (if necessary).

**magicroundabout** · #10 06-07-07, 12:33 pm

Thanks everyone for all the advice!
Yeah I think your right i'll wait and see. Im sure they will be fine, im just being over protective! At least I know what to use if it does happen!
Thanks again everyone!

**muffin** · #11 06-15-07, 06:26 pm

You're very welcome!

"Thank you, daftscotslass, for this useful post," say these 2 members:
magicroundabout (06-06-07), Smudgetoffee (06-21-07)

"Thank you, daftscotslass, for this useful post," says:
magicroundabout (06-07-07)