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Small pets

Both our guinea pigs are scratching

6 replies

looseleaf · 29/05/2013 17:48

I've just noticed this evening they're scratching themselves a little bit (saw one scratch 3 times tgen a few mins later noticed the other one scratching once).

Could this be fleas? I can't see anything. If so would we treat it ourselves or ask the vet?

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guineapiglet · 29/05/2013 21:19

Guineas dont usually get fleas it is likely to be mites and they will need treatment and a check up ideally. Clean bedding and cage clean as well!! Hope u get them sorted.

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looseleaf · 29/05/2013 21:41

Thanks so much. Will talk to the vet tomorrow and grateful for your experience ! They're on clean bedding and I change it at least twice a week (about to try incontinent pads as bedding as suggested on another thread!)

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fortifiedwithtea · 30/05/2013 09:37

Guinea pigs get mites which you can't see without a microscope. BTH the odd itch and a scatch probably is nothing to worry about.

A piggie with mites is driven to distraction by the itching. Constantly scatching and will pull its fur out.

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looseleaf · 30/05/2013 17:51

I visited vet without them (easier as had 2DC and their cage gigantic ) and we decided to try mite treatment anyway and if doesn't ease the scratching I'll bring them in.

Their fur and skin looks really normal, didnt see anything, but they're definitely scratching every minute or two.

The treatment was an insecticide , tiny vial you pour behind their neck. I wonder how it works as assumed you'd apply it everywhere!

We'd repeat in 2 weeks and I disinfected their cage and re-cleaned it

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70isaLimitNotaTarget · 30/05/2013 20:30

Hi- the 'behind the neck' solution gets absorbed into their bloodstream, you need to put it there because they can't reach to lick there.
But be aware- my mate had two cats that groomed each other and one ingested the treatment (different stuff, it was cat drops) and had a fit. The vet was as they'd never encountered it before.
Our boars aren't close up 'n' personal with each other but we keep them apart until it's dry.

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looseleaf · 30/05/2013 21:12

I rubbed it into the fur, suspect was meant to be on the skin then. Bother! I did think seemed a bit strange!