Hair Loss Mites or Overreacting?

[Mazroth]

Hello. I have had guinea pigs for about a year now. I frequent these forums often, but I do not usually post. I had one of my two piggies in my lap today, and a good amount more hair was left on my shirt than normal and in addition there was some white flaky stuff, dandruff, I am guessing.

Being worried, I looked up on guinea lynx and searched about the forums. Currently, neither have any scabs or zones of hair loss. But, near the butt area of on my piggies when if I just pinch a hold of some hair and pull it comes out 2-4 hairs at a time pretty easily, while with the other piggy I will get somewhere between 0-2 hairs.

I have not seen them scratching more than usual. When they do scratch, they scratch as much as they normally do like a dog does using its hind leg to scratch at its side.

Since I have gotten them, they don't like me touching their posterior half of their bodies, so I can't tell if they got more sensitive in that area from the mites. They do squirm a bit more when I rub them in that area though.

I have ordered some ivermectin from Amazon, "(broken link removed)"

One of the comments of the product review said they used it on their guinea pigs and they got better. I opted for the one day shipping, but it will not be here until Monday. I will treat both pigs topically behind the ears with a drop. I will figure out the exact dosage when the product arrives.

I don't know if I am overreacting, but I feel kind of worried and nervous. I am thinking perhaps I caught the mites early? But if they do not have mites, is there any danger in treating them with ivermectin?

Thank you for your time.

 

[suzilovespiggie]

No there is no danger in treating them with the ivermectin. If it is mites you will nip it in the bud.
If not you have lost nothing. Guinealynx has a whole section on mites and the treatment of them. Read up on it and see if it will help.

 

[bpatters]

There's no danger with ivermectin as long as you calculate the dose correctly. Let us know the exact strength when you get yours, and we'll help you figure it out. If you want to familiarize yourself with it, take a look at https://www.guinealynx.info/dose_calculator.html.

 

[teatea121]

I am so glad I see your post. My piggies got lice, and I was debating whether I should get the Ivermectin pour on from Amazon.

Now I see your post. I think I will go ahead and order the exact same thing. Then I will come back to get help for doses.

 

[janinehunt]

Hello

I have found the site below, Gorgeous Guineas, to be informative on skin/health problems. This is a link to a photo gallery of common problems to help one identify them:

(broken link removed)

There is also other useful descriptive info on other pages of the site.

This site sells natural products for the care of piggies. I am not connected with the site at all, just so you know, but came across it looking for info on the treatment of piggies with essential oils.

Hope this helps... Good luck with your piggy!

 

[bpatters]

Gorgeous Guineas has a good reputation in the guinea pig community. They are a European company, so shipping and time are factors if you are or a budget or want something in a hurry. I haven't personally used any of their products, but I know several people on other forums who use their shampoos and lotions.