Mites on guinea pigs

[jacquettalux]

We are having a recurring issue of mites on my guinea pigs. This is the third time I've had them at the vet for injections (2 injections, 2 weeks apart). Any ideas of how to prevent the mites? Their bedding is a little bit of sawdust with lots of hay. They go out on the lawn frequently.

[Fairylea]

You can buy spot on mite stuff from amazon that works pretty well. I’ve used it on mine and it definitely gets rid of them.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Are they using Ivermectin injections ? Did your vet do a skin scrape to confirm?
You need to be careful not to overdose them if you use a spot treatment (I used to use Xeno 450 on mine)

You can get mite flare ups if a guinea-pig is stressed . Is there anything like a fox worrying them?

I'd also change from sawdust , it can make the fur dry . Keep the hay , maybe just use newspaper .
I've used equine cardboard bedding and shredded loo roll tubes as a soft bedding . Loads of owners use Megazorb, it was 'ok' but not something I re-purchased .

Check your hay , it can harbour mites . (I had a problem with something -not mites , I think they were lice - on one of my piggies , when I bought hay from a particular store . You know the one . @Home )
Had to wash all my pigs , I used Lice'n'Easy and it cleared thankfully . I'd binned the hay wrapping so I couldn't get a refund .


Have you tried bathing them? There are some Gorgeous Guinea shampoos and melts . Their skin might be itchy if its dry and it may be a relief for them. (Of course make sure they're properly dry and warm enough after )

Mites are rough on a little piggie and they can get into an itch/scratch/itch cycle . Some piggies are lucky and never suffer them. Most piggies carry a dormant mite load that never flares up.
Some are prone .

(It was only because one of my guinea-pigs was a Himmy that DD noticed the infestation so quickly . She was worst affected her female cagemate had a couple , our Teddy boar was fine .)