Scratchies

[Tim & Alfie]

Hi all,

My pigs lately scratch a lot. Even after bathing. I found little weevils (which i think is form their food)near them.

Do u think the weevils are irritating them? they confirm do not have lice and all coz I check!

Wat is happening to them????

[bluelights]

I am not sure abt this. But did you try bathing yr pig with a bit of dettol mix with a tub of water? Thought this might help with any irritation.

http://petshub.com/ubb/smile.gif

[littlebee]

Tim * Alfie,

..wat is a weevil?

littlebee

[kelly_28]

Hi,

I agree with bluelights. A bit of Dettol will do the trick. But please be really careful not to let your pigs drink it.

Also, it is common that pigs start scratching after a bath, as they will want to dry faster. They might be trying to get rid of the water.

Besides, after bathing, do they scratch a lot too on any other days? Did you spot any red skin or dry skin/flakes on your pigs?

Weevils might be a factor too. It is considered a bug.

[This message has been edited by kelly_28 (edited 10-27-2000).]

[Tim & Alfie]

Weevils are tiny little bug like insects found in food...
http://petshub.com/ubb/smile.gif
Hmm, was thinking of the Dettol part...Will it stop the itchies? They do scratch and I brought Tim to the vet before and the vet told me it was just sensitive skin and gave me a shampoo to use, but it does not seem to help. They usually scratch more after bathing...so it is actually normal then? *phew*
Have anyone tried the Dettol thing?

[Bruno]

Hi Tim & Alfie,

The dettol thing... I told you abt Minnie's ringworms, right?

The owner used dettol to bath her and she pratically stop scratching since. Just occassionals scratchings.

But do be aware of how many drops of dettol you are putting and the amount of water.

Just a pre-caution, better see another vet for a second opinion.

Write to us soon-soon. http://petshub.com/ubb/biggrin.gif


Bruno.

[Wheekers World]

Weevils, or any other surface parasite, can be treated with a kitten flea/tick shampoo with .05% pyrethrins. Wet your pig, lather him/her, let it sit for about 2-3 minutes and rinse well. You must be careful as to not get any in his eyes, nose, ears or mouth. Repeat this in 2 weeks. The cage, water bottle, feed dish and all toys, must be cleaned throughly each time you treat your pig.

[Bruno]

Hey!

Glad to know that your piggies are fine! Great!! So, when are we meeting up? http://petshub.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Call me to confirm. Hear from you soon!

[Cindy552]

I have never heard of weavils on guinea pigs or in their cages. However lice might have the similiar appearance to a weavil. Sounds like your pigs have lice whether you were able to see them on the pigs or not. If they are in your cage, they are on your pigs. Use a mild kitten shampoo with pyrethin in it once a week for 5 weeks, keep your cages spotless during this time as well. Good luck.

[Trin]

Five weeks?? When my pig had lice I bathed her in pyrethrin based shampoo three times...five days apart.I cleaned her cage with Javex too..one part to ten parts water. Her dishes and toys were also soaked in Javex before putting her back in the cage. The lice are completely gone. Mites should be considered also. Especially if there is any hair loss in a V shape on the pigs back. A shot of Ivermectin at the vet will get rids of mites living under the skin which can cause itchiness and make the pig senstive to touch. Good luck http://petshub.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Cindy552]

Yes Trin, 5 weeks.

[Trin]

Five weeks seems like overkill to me..the louse's life cycle isn't that long. The first bath kills living lice. The second one in five or six days kills any that any that may have hatched that weren't killed the first time. The third five days later is just precautionary. Why two more baths after that?