Parasites in guinea pigs: ticks, lice, fleas, lice, their symptoms, treatment and treatment, prevention

Parasites in guinea pigs - both external (ectoparasites) and internal (endoparasites) - are acquired mainly due to improperly organized maintenance or care. But even timely cleaning of the cage in compliance with all the rules and the absence of walks outside the habitat do not completely protect pets from parasites. There are many options for infection. Therefore, it is extremely important for the owner of the little animal not only to know and observe the peculiarities of keeping and caring for a guinea pig, but also to learn in advance how to protect the pet from infection. And also, what measures to take if the infection does overtake the animal.

Where do parasites come from in guinea pigs?

Small pets become infected with ectoparasites through contact with infected relatives or dogs and cats, through low-quality litter or hay.
Sometimes parasitic insects, in search of food, enter city apartments from basements and sewers. The owner can infect his beloved animal with external parasites brought on clothing from the external environment. Parasitic insects in guinea pigs, other than lice, are not transmitted to humans, and they do not have the ability to bite people or reproduce on the human body. When lice attack a person they cause pediculosis.

Insect parasitism in pets causes allergic reactions to the waste products of parasites in many owners.

Reasons for appearance

Static lice are transmitted through direct animal contact. Parasites also settle in sawdust and hay, which are added to the cage when cleaning. They may also appear in food packaging that has not been hermetically sealed.

The maximum risk of infection occurs during the cold season (late autumn and winter), when the animal’s fur becomes thicker and the undercoat grows more actively.

To prevent infection, you need to clean the cage more often and use proven bedding materials.

Symptoms of guinea pig infection with ectoparasites

Parasitization of different types of ectoparasites on the body of guinea pigs is accompanied by similar symptoms:

• the pet is very worried, often scratches the skin until it bleeds and chews out the fur due to the unbearable itching from insect bites;
• hair loss occurs on the limbs and head, and there is a decrease in appetite and body weight;
• in advanced cases, large hairless areas and purulent wounds form on the skin.

With such symptoms, it is recommended to urgently seek help from specialists. Improper treatment of a guinea pig at home can cause the development of anemia, exhaustion, blood poisoning, intoxication and death.

Causes and symptoms of the disease

The sooner the disease is identified, the easier it is to cope with it. Take a close look at the pig. If she is limping on one or even two legs, you need to immediately examine the animal.

Causes of pododermatitis:

• The cage is rarely cleaned, causing the animal to often walk in its own feces. An excellent environment is created for the rapid development of bacteria and fungi.
• Too hard bedding can gradually injure the paws, through which the disease penetrates.
• Vitamin C is not produced in the body; the animal replenishes its reserves through food. If there is not enough of it, the immune system weakens and the likelihood of infection increases.
• Lack of activity and excess weight.
• Excessive filler moisture.

Symptoms of pododermatitis in guinea pigs:

• Redness of the working part of the paws;
• the leg begins to swell, small ulcers may form;
• the skin becomes thinner and begins to peel off;
• possible signs of fungus;
• if treatment is not started in time, the ulcers fester and expand;
• rapid loss of appetite and weight;
• If ignored further, the bone is affected.

Walking is accompanied by severe pain. You can hear the guinea pig crying. The pet can minimize movement or completely refuse them. Activity is reduced to a minimum, behavior is very lethargic and resembles drowsiness. There is practically no appetite, the animal does not even eat its favorite food. In such conditions, exhaustion and weakening of immunity quickly sets in, which can quickly cause death.

Contact your veterinarian or appropriate clinic immediately. Treatment of advanced pododermatitis in guinea pigs occurs with the help of antibiotics. Only a doctor of appropriate qualifications can prescribe them, since you first need to find out what bacteria the mumps is infected with. For this purpose, bacterial culture is done. Of course, there are broad-spectrum antibiotics, but they do not provide a guarantee. To treat pododermatitis in guinea pigs, contact your veterinarian.

It is very important to start treatment on time. Otherwise, various complications are possible; bacteria will enter the blood and bone tissue, causing necrosis

Then only amputation of the affected limb will help save life. Agree, it is much easier to treat fungus and skin redness in the initial stages.

Common parasites in guinea pigs

The most common parasitic insects of guinea pigs include:

• mites;
• lice eaters;
• fleas;
• lice;
• worms;
• liver fluke.

The last two types of insects are endoparasites. This class also includes Giardia, but they are much less common.

Treatment of parasites in guinea pigs in all cases without exception should be prescribed and monitored by a veterinarian. Only a specialist can specifically determine the type of parasitic insects that cause the infection of the animal. And only a specialist can correctly select the necessary medications and calculate their dosage. The slightest excess of the drug against parasites can lead to severe intoxication and, accordingly, kill the pig faster than the disease. Therefore, self-medication of an animal is strictly prohibited, unless, of course, the owner values ​​the life of his pet.

Ticks

This is the most diverse type of parasitic insects that infect the animal. Ticks are just a unifying concept. In fact, these are several different organisms that serve as causative agents of various diseases. One type of mite causes trixacariasis, another - sarcoptic mange, and a third - demodicosis. In addition to them, there are also ixodid, ear and fur ticks. And we also must not forget about the well-known encephalitis, which is dangerous not only for animals, but also for humans. Symptoms of tick infestation are classic in the presence of ectoparasites.

The causative agents of trixacariasis are found exclusively in this type of rodent, so a guinea pig can only pick up the infection from a sick relative. In an animal with increased immunity, the disease may not make itself felt for a long time, although the parasite that has entered its body will already be doing its job. This disease is most difficult in the following guinea pigs:

• young;
• old;
• pregnant women;
• sick with something else;
• too thin;
• improperly contained.

The sources of sarcoptic mange pathogens are not only infected animals, but also low-quality litter or hay. In addition to the characteristic itching, the disease is accompanied by the formation of light growths on the paws and face.

The causative agents of demodicosis are transmitted again through sick animals. Small guinea pigs often “inherit” the disease from their mother. Signs of the disease are classic. The same goes for fur mites. The symptoms are standard; infection occurs from one animal to another.

Most mites cannot be seen with the naked eye, with the exception of ear mites. What part of the body it affects is clear from the name. The pig becomes infected with the parasite from other animals. The symptoms are different from other types and are very characteristic. A caring owner will immediately notice that the pet is clearly bothered by his ears - he scratches them, often shakes his head, etc.

Ixodid ticks can also be found, but not in the ears, but on the body of the animal. Pets bring this infection from a walk.

Other ectoparasites

Fleas in guinea pigs are most often found of the so-called feline variety, which, despite the name, can parasitize not only cats, but also dogs, rodents and even humans. From them it is transmitted to the pig. The animal can also pick it up on the street. Symptoms of infection are standard. It is easy to detect parasites - just comb the pig well with a fine-toothed comb.

Lice eaters are the causative agents of trichodectosis in pigs. They enter the animal's body through infected relatives, as well as through food, filler or poor quality hay. Parasites can be seen - they are visible when parting the rodent's fur. Their eggs are also noticeable, which can be confused with dandruff. The difference is that dandruff can be brushed off, but parasite eggs cannot be removed.

Lice are also easy to detect in the fur of an animal. Symptoms of infestation by this parasitic insect are similar to classic signs of the presence of ectoparasites. The danger of infecting a guinea pig with lice is that these creatures can be transmitted to humans and cause a serious disease called pediculosis.

Endoparasites

They start in the internal organs of the animal and thus attack the pig’s body from the inside.

There are two types of worms. They enter the animal’s body in the form of embryos along with low-quality food or bad water. Their monstrous abilities give them the ability to move from the intestines to any place in the pig's body, to any organ. Depending on the spread of parasites, the death of the animal can be very rapid. Therefore, at the first suspicion of infection, you should immediately take your pet to a veterinarian.

Another reason to hurry up and visit the doctor is that worms, one of the few types of parasites, can infect a person and have a significant negative impact on the human body.

Signs of an animal being infected with worms, in addition to itching, are:

• weakness, lethargy and apathy;
• loss of appetite, sometimes giving way to barely tamed bouts of hunger and thirst.

When a pig is infected with another endoparasite - fluke - the main symptoms are the same signs, but supplemented:

• nausea;
• high temperature.

The pet also picks up this infection through low-grade food or contaminated water. About a month after the parasite enters the animal’s body, all symptoms weaken or even disappear. But there is nothing to rejoice at - this means that the first stage of the disease is over and the next, more severe one is approaching. Treatment for fluke usually lasts a long time (longer than for worms) and if it is not started in time, the process of destruction of the animal’s body will be irreversible, and it will die.

Trixacarosis

This disease develops due to the bites of a microscopic mite-like mite, which is also scabies. It lives and parasitizes in the subcutaneous layers, the main symptom is hair loss up to local baldness and severe itching. It is important that this mite is found only in guinea pigs, which means you can only get infected from relatives.

If the animal’s immunity is high, this tick is in an inactive phase - its vital activity takes place, but no external manifestations will be detected. Therefore, weakened, young and pregnant animals are most often infected with trixcarosis. There are relatively many signs of damage:

• The affected areas hurt and itch.
• Because of the first point, the pig gnaws these places and pulls out the fur.
• Wounds appear on the skin - with pus and blood.
• Areas of baldness.
• Cramps and miscarriages.

In addition, appetite disappears, the pig loses energy and mobility, and is lethargic. If treatment is not taken, the animal may die from dehydration. For diagnosis, a scraping of the inflamed skin is examined, so a visit to the veterinarian is indispensable.

The doctor will prescribe a number of medications; the owner is required to regularly use them according to the instructions and clean the cage. You need to remove the filler from it, disinfect it and dry it. If there are still guinea pigs living in the house without symptoms of infection with this mite, they need to be isolated from the sick individual and also checked by a veterinarian. Preventing possible illness will save their health.

Sarcoptic mange

This disease is caused by a microscopic mite that gnaws through passages in the subcutaneous layers. Infection occurs through contact with infected animals or through hay. These parasites leave triangular skin growths with a gray crust on the body. This marks their passage into the skin.

The main symptoms are severe itching and alopecia on the animal's limbs and face. Only microscopic examination of a skin scraping can accurately identify this mite. The cage must be immediately disinfected; the veterinarian will prescribe treatment of the fur with acaricidal sprays that contain selamictin.

Demodicosis

The causative agent is a worm-like mite that feeds on the blood of an animal. Infection occurs from neighboring individuals, and in cubs - from the mother. A characteristic sign of the disease is the appearance of papules and pustules on the animal’s body. If left untreated, they develop into ulcers and alopecia, significantly complicating the guinea pig's eventual recovery. Quite often, swelling of the legs occurs (the tick feeds on blood), which is easy to notice by lameness.

Treatment of guinea pigs against parasites in this case is carried out using toxic drugs based on Ivermectin. It is impossible to carry out treatment on your own; an overdose is dangerous for the pet’s life.

Fur mite

This parasite cannot be detected by the human eye, and the symptoms are similar to those listed above - itching, skin ulcers, hair loss and loss of appetite. Only microscopic examination can reveal the exact disease; treatment is carried out with Otodectin and Ivermectin.

Ear mite

A guinea pig can be affected by rabbit ear mites; they appear after contact with a sick animal. You can detect it yourself: dried blood accumulates in the ears, similar in consistency to wax. If you look closely in bright light, you can see tiny brown insects.

Redness occurs on the auricle, and the skin acquires a yellowish tint. The pet tries to scratch its ear and often shakes its head. Therapy is carried out with a course of antibiotics and Ivermectin.

Ixodid tick

This parasite can be “picked up” while walking – it lives in the external environment. A veterinarian can remove it safely and quickly by prescribing symptomatic treatment for rehabilitation. It is not easy to detect it in the thick fur of a guinea pig, so after a walk you need to comb your pet with your fingers.

Fungal, viral and oncological diseases

“Pigs” also suffer from fungal, viral and oncological diseases. All of them can be the root cause of pathologies of the kidneys, liver, heart and other systems mentioned above.

Tumors

In most cases, tumors develop in older pets. Their diversity is extremely large, but all neoplasms can be divided into two large types: benign and malignant. The following benign neoplasms are encountered in veterinary practice:

• Lipomas (from adipose tissue).
• Myomas (from muscle tissue).
• Adenomas (develop in the glands).
• In addition, fibroids are quite common in pigs (they grow from connective tissue).

As a rule, benign tumors do not manifest themselves in any way throughout the life of the mumps. The types of malignant tumors are no less diverse, but they are much more dangerous for the health and life of the pet:

• Carcinomas. Develop from epithelial tissue.
• Melanomas. Any mole on a pig’s body can “mutate” into something extremely dangerous.
• Sarcomas. They grow from connective tissue.

Other types of tumors in pigs are not very common. The clinical picture is as follows:

• As a rule, the animal becomes lethargic and quickly weakens.
• At first, appetite increases sharply, but as the disease progresses, it steadily worsens.
• Other symptoms directly depend on which organ the tumor has grown in. In particular, with liver damage the symptoms are the same, with kidney pathology the symptoms are different.

Fungal diseases

Fungal diseases are deservedly considered one of the most serious. They are very difficult to diagnose, but even more difficult to treat. The following ailments are detected in pigs:

• Ringworm (i.e. microsporia and trichophytosis).
• Weeping eczema (aka weeping lichen).
• Cheilitis mentioned above.
• Pityriasis versicolor.
• Deprive Zhiber.
• Lichen planus.

The variety of fungal pathologies is quite large. The following symptoms may indicate their development:

• Strange sores suddenly appear on your pet's skin. With many types of lichen, they have rounded outlines.
• Hair loss is very common. In many cases, the hairs do not fall out, but break off near the very root, which is why bristly areas dotted with “stumps” from broken hairs remain on the animal’s skin.
• The skin in these areas may become red, inflamed, scaly, and flaky.
• In many cases, the animal experiences severe and never-ending itching. The animal is worried, runs around the cage, rubs against all nearby surfaces.
• Many types of lichens are characterized by the development of pyoderma. In these cases, the skin is dotted with many pustules.
• If the case is advanced, the pig weakens, refuses food, and due to the “shrunken” immunity, the development of other infections is possible. First of all, the respiratory organs are affected, and therefore the animal begins to cough, sneeze, and breathing becomes hoarse.

Viral diseases

These animals also have viral diseases:

• Plague.
• Lymphocytic choriomeningitis.
• Viral sore throats.

The symptoms are as follows:

• The animal develops mucous or purulent discharge from the nasal passages.
• Breathing is heavy, labored.
• A strong, choking cough is possible.
• The animals' body temperature rises sharply.
• In some cases, convulsions and seizures resembling epileptic seizures are observed.
• Sometimes sick pigs lose their hind legs; in very rare cases, complete paralysis of the body is possible.
• In severe cases of the disease, the pet completely or partially refuses food, but thirst remains and even intensifies.

Carrying out diagnostics

You can identify fleas yourself. They can be seen with the naked eye on the rodent's face and stomach. If you comb the fur with a single-row, fine-toothed comb, it will leave behind insect excrement in the form of small brown clumps, as well as dead or living insects. Parasites are easier to detect on animals with light fur.

If the diagnosis is carried out by a veterinarian, he takes a scraping from the rodent's skin for examination.

A pig can have several diseases at the same time, for example:

• allergic dermatosis;
• ectoparasites;
• streptococcal infection;
• neurodermatitis;
• mycoses.

Any of these factors, as well as metabolic disorders and poor nutrition, cause itching, sore skin and hair loss.

To determine the presence of the disease, a scraping is taken from the animal's skin.

Preventive actions

To prevent infection with ectoparasites, pigs need proper care and maintenance, the nature and characteristics of which are as follows:

• periodic examination of all pets;
• treating all items they use with insecticides;
• disinfection of feed purchased in bulk (it is kept in the freezer for 1 day);
• maintaining personal hygiene before interacting with a rodent.

Pets that are taken for walks should wear tick collars in the spring and summer. During this period, parasites are especially active. Some of them are carriers of the meningoencephalitis virus, which is dangerous for animals and people.

If your pig develops itching and anxiety, it is best to contact a veterinarian or rodentologist (a specialist in small exotic mammals) and undergo treatment under medical supervision.

What symptoms indicate the presence of fleas

Signs that an animal is being bitten by fleas are as follows:

• redness and peeling of the skin, bite marks (usually on the stomach) in the form of red dots;
• the pig behaves restlessly, shakes its head, itches, eats poorly, becomes less active;
• In places where insects accumulate, hair loss may occur.

Insects pierce the skin and drink blood. The bites are painful, and there are no anesthetics in the saliva. In the affected areas, the skin becomes inflamed, itches, and hurts when scratched.

Flea bites cause red spots on your pig's skin.

What other parasites can pigs get?

Several types of parasites can appear on pigs:

1. Ticks. Sources of infection are other animals, human skin and clothing, and poorly washed food. First, mites infest the skin of the head, back and sides, then the entire body. Depending on the species, they settle on the surface of the skin or in the depths, eating away passages in the tissues. Causes severe itching. The animal injures itself with constant scratching, experiences stress, and reaches exhaustion. A pregnant female may have a miscarriage.
2. Lice. Insects are yellowish in color, smaller than fleas. Infection occurs through contact with other animals or through bedding. Lice bite into the skin and feed on substances that are released. This causes itching, redness, crusts and papules. With severe infestation, the fur around the ears and lower abdomen becomes dull. Parasites lay white eggs called nits on hairs. Lice living on guinea pigs are species specific. They cannot be transmitted to humans.
3. Vlaseaters. These are yellowish-gray worms up to 1 mm long. They hold tightly to the animal’s body with the help of 3 pairs of legs and multiply quickly: 1 female lays about 70 eggs (nits) at a time. They feed on epidermal particles and fur, contaminating the skin and chewing hairs. Causes skin irritation, dermatitis and baldness. Sources of infection are sick pigs, sawdust, and unsealed food. Lice eaters are not dangerous to people.

Ticks can be detected by laboratory testing of skin scrapings or on litter. They look like small dots (hungry insects are gray, and those that have drunk blood are red-brown).

Lice and lice can bring a lot of unpleasant moments to your pets.

Methods for removing parasites

For treatment use:

1. Shampoo. When bathing, apply to wet fur and rub over the entire body so that it does not get into the eyes and ears. The product must be rinsed off well. When it enters the body, the digestion of animals is disrupted. You need to wash the cage and the area near it with the same shampoo, and change the bedding. The procedure is repeated after 10 days to destroy the larvae. When choosing this method of treatment, one must take into account that pigs are afraid of water and experience stress when bathing.
2. Spray. The jet is directed onto the skin against hair growth. Most drugs have an unpleasant odor, so it is better to carry out treatment on the balcony or on the street. The pig should be held in your hands until the spray dries to prevent it from licking the medicine.
3. Drops. The dose is drawn into a syringe, the needle is removed, the fur is pulled apart and dripped onto the skin, but not onto the wounds. You need to hold the animal in your hands for about 10-15 minutes until the product is completely absorbed.
4. Injections. Subcutaneously into the withers.

Basic rules of treatment:

• at the same time it is necessary to process the hair of all domestic animals;
• every 3 days, disinfect cages and bedding (they must always be dry);
• You cannot use several different drugs at the same time;
• the preparations Neostamazan, Ethnomazan, Stomazan, Butox are not used for pigs (they can only treat surfaces - cages, bedding and other equipment).

The cage must be cleaned every three days.

Used against fleas:

• drops – Advocate, Blokhnet, Stronghold, which can be combined with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial drugs;
• shampoo “Nizoral” and others containing pyrethritol;
• sprays – 8 in 1, Frontline, Bolfo.

Do not exceed the dose - this can lead to poisoning of the pig. It is better to buy special preparations for rodents. When using medications intended for kittens, take 0.1 ml of Advocate or 6 ml of Stronghold per 1 kg of pig's weight.

Use flea drops in conjunction with antimicrobial drugs.

The above sprays and drops are used against ticks in the same way, as well as injection preparations:

1. Ivermectin. Per kg of weight, 0.02 ml of the drug is combined with 0.2 ml of saline solution. The product is considered difficult to use, since it is difficult to calculate the dose and measure it, and exceeding it is dangerous for the pig’s brain.
2. Otodectin (variation with 0.1% ivermectin) at the rate of 0.2 ml/kg.

Injections are given once every 10 days, 2-4 injections in total (depending on the degree of damage). Ivermectin is applied to inflamed areas of the skin 2-3 times a day. The cage needs to be washed with a solution containing chlorine and the bedding changed.

The results of scraping tests are positive in only 45-50% of diseases, so the same treatment can be prescribed in case of suspected mite infection with negative results of scrapings. The effect is observed within 3-4 weeks.

Often a tick infection is complicated by the appearance of a fungus. It primarily affects the scalp, neck and extremities. It is treated with Chlorhexidine, Lamizine, etc.

We make injections into the animal's withers.

Help against lice and lice:

• sprays Bars, Celandine, Bolfo, Dana, Akaramectin;
• Ivermectin injections (if there are a lot of parasites);
• Advantix drops, Frontline, Advocate.

If nits are present, the treatment is repeated after 2 weeks. Insecticides kill only adult insects.

The least toxic are pyrethrin-based preparations, such as 8 in 1 sprays and Beaphar. They can be used to treat pregnant and lactating females and cubs weighing up to 500 g.

Sprays against lice and fleas destroy only adult individuals, but not nits.

Existence and reproduction of lice eaters

The parasite has a flat body. The maximum size of an adult is 2 mm. On dark pig fur it appears white or yellowish, on white fur it appears grey.

When magnifying the lice eater under a microscope, it was discovered that its fur was covered with bristles. The head is large, angular in shape, with eyes, antennae and a rather large mouth. The lice eater's jaws are powerful and covered with teeth. It moves on 6 paws with claws at the end, which additionally causes irritation on the skin of the affected animal.

Static louse multiply quite quickly. The lice beetle can lay more than 100 eggs at a time. The parasite glues them to the fur with a sebaceous substance that it secretes from its gland. The larva grows within 3 weeks.

Diseases dangerous to humans

Parasites that cause dangerous diseases for humans and live in the body of a guinea pig include:

• Strongyloidiasis,
• Giardiasis,
• Encephalitis.

Strongyloidiasis

The disease is caused by small roundworms that parasitize the small intestine. A person can become infected with worm larvae while cleaning a cage or processing an infected animal. The first and most important symptoms of the disease are nausea, severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache and dizziness. If you do not consult a doctor in a timely manner, anemia may develop. Cases of death have been recorded. Guinea pigs can carry larvae without showing symptoms of infection. This happens when the animal has the opportunity to walk in the summer and comes into contact with grass and soil outside.

Giardiasis

A person can become infected with giardiasis during cage cleaning, as well as through contact with an infected animal. The disease is caused by a small parasite that lives in the small intestine and gall bladder.

Symptoms of infection:

• Nausea,
• Stomach ache,
• Bloating, gas formation, constipation and diarrhea, replacing each other,
• Skin rashes
• Fatigue, increased drowsiness, loss of appetite, poor sleep and frequent dizziness.

Tick-borne encephalitis

If a guinea pig walks outdoors in the summer, it needs to wear a special anti-mite collar. Otherwise, there is a high risk that the animal will bring back a tick infected with encephalitis from a walk. This disease is dangerous not only for pigs, but also for humans.

Infection with lice beetles in humans

Experts' opinions on this matter are divided. Some scientists, as a result of research, have found that the parasite can settle on any hair surface of animals and humans.

When parasites appear, a person experiences irritation, itching, and bald areas of the scalp appear. Treatment method: anti-lice medications.

Other scientists are confident that the owner of the pig cannot become infected for the following reasons:

• Insufficient hair thickness.
• Body temperature is too low. To exist and reproduce, lice eaters need a body temperature, like that of animals, not lower than 37.4-39.3.
• If it gets on the skin, the parasite will bite, but will not be able to live long and will die after 7 days, leaving no offspring. However, an infected animal should not come into contact with children and the elderly. Their immunity is weak and interaction can lead to dermatitis.

Guinea pig treatment

What should I do if my guinea pig has fleas or other ectoparasites? Treatment must be comprehensive. It is not complicated, although the drugs and their dosage are best selected by a veterinarian. There are many products for pigs. The main active ingredient in them is pyrethrin. It is most effective against fleas.

All of these parasitic lesions are treated with external medications. If fleas are found on guinea pigs, treatment should be prescribed by a veterinarian. It is important to determine a safe dose. The animal’s weight, age, health status, and degree of damage are taken into account. If you decide to pick up the drug yourself at a veterinary pharmacy, be sure to check that the label indicates that the drug is used for rodents.

You should not take sprays and drops intended for cats. Their strong concentration can harm the rodent, because it is much smaller. There is a high risk of poisoning.

The following types of drugs are used for treatment:

1. medicated shampoos.
2. powders;
3. sprays;
4. drops.

It is better to choose a drug that contains the active ingredient pyrethrin. It is not so harmful, but most effective. There are also products with a synthetic analogue of pyrethrin. They are stronger, but less well tolerated.

It is better to treat the rodent outside, on the balcony or with the window open. Many medications have a strong chemical smell.

When using an insecticide, remember the rules:

1. The medicine should not get into the eyes, mouth, or face.
2. Direct the jet against the grain.
3. Treat all your pets at once.
4. After the procedure, hold the pig in your arms until the hair is completely dry.
5. It is better to repeat the procedure after a week. By this time, the eggs may hatch into larvae.

Veterinarians sometimes give injections of Ivermectin. Due to toxicity, this method of treatment is used only in cases of severe infection.

Note! Itching, reddened skin can also accompany skin diseases: dermatitis, allergic dermatosis, streptococcal damage, metabolic disorders. If you haven't caught a specific insect, it's best to take your pig to the vet.

Treatment and prevention

Don't panic if you find parasites in a rodent's fur. Today there are a lot of available drugs to kill pests. Remedies for lice for guinea pigs come in the form of:

• sprays, drops;
• emulsions, shampoos;
• collars and powders.

Spray

You can effectively combat the pest using sprays. They are created on the basis of insecticidal components and have a simple method of application. It is enough to spray the rodent’s fur with the solution, then rub it over the entire surface of the skin with massage movements. Most often, just one spray treatment is enough to completely rid your guinea pig of parasites. An example of such a product is Frontline spray.

Spray Frontline

Drops

Treatment for lice in guinea pigs is also carried out with drops containing an insecticide. The drug helps to get rid of not only lice-eaters, but also mites, lice and other skin parasites. The solution is dripped onto the spine in the neck area so that the rodent cannot reach it. Such means are the most effective, as they not only destroy lice-eaters, but also prevent their re-spread. Drops of the Stronghold, Bars, Advantage or Green Fort brands are in particular demand among consumers.

Emulsions

Emulsion is another cure for lice. The concentrated suspension is diluted with water in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. It is used to process animal fur. Many consumers prefer the drug Neostomozan.

Shampoos

Shampoos are a safer way to treat guinea pigs. It is preferable to use such detergents for preventive purposes. Since it is not always possible to achieve complete destruction of insects after one application. Lugovoy, Lesnoy or Fitoelita shampoos are very popular among consumers.

Collars

Collars not only get rid of pests, but also prevent re-infestation of lice-eaters in guinea pigs. The disadvantage of this accessory is the possibility of an allergic reaction and irritation in the pet.

Collar Celandine

Powder

A powdered product in the form of powder can not only get rid of pests, but also cure the inflammatory process on the skin, and also reduce the feeling of itching. The rodent's body is sprinkled with powder, trying to rub it into the skin as much as possible. The effect of the drug lasts for one and a half weeks.

To get rid of lice, it is necessary to treat not only the guinea pig, but also the cage in which it is kept. A similar procedure should also be applied to household items with which the animal comes into contact. To do this, you can use Butox 50 solution.

Why are fleas dangerous for rodents?

The fleas on a hamster's body are dog or cat fleas, and we already know how dangerous these parasites are. Not only do they cause a lot of trouble for our pets, they do not disdain human blood, leaving subtle, but sometimes very unpleasant marks after their bites.

Often fleas bite without hurting and leave virtually no marks, but they can easily introduce an infection into the bite and cause itching, pain, inflammation, an allergic reaction, and even cause serious diseases such as plague or typhoid. Do you think that this is the Middle Ages and fairy tales of that time? But in vain!

In addition, they multiply at an incredible speed, and if you do not remove the insects in a timely manner, you can soon receive a very unpleasant gift - fleas in almost every corner of your home: in carpets, sofas, under furniture, on the animals themselves and even in your own hair.

If you notice fleas on your hamster, try to get them out as soon as possible

If your hamster has fleas, you need to decide what to do as quickly as possible. It is better to show your pet to a veterinarian. Flea infestation is not fatal, but it poses a potential threat:

1. Infection. The tiny bloodsucker is capable of infecting its host with dangerous infectious diseases (typhoid, salmonellosis, even the forgotten plague). Abscesses may develop on the skin.
2. Worms. The animal constantly bites bloodsuckers out of dirty fur. This increases the risk of catching helminths. Therefore, veterinarians recommend giving an anthelmintic to your pet after removing fleas (“Shustrik”, etc.).
3. Stress. Bloodsuckers greatly irritate the animal. The hamster cannot eat normally or sleep properly. He is nervous and losing weight.

Fleas on hamsters

Fleas, like many other household pests, are carriers of various infections such as plague or typhoid. The ability of insects to multiply quickly can cause insect infestation of the entire apartment. And in this case, they pose a danger not only to the animal, but also to humans. Therefore, when parasites are detected, it is necessary to urgently begin the fight against them.

Why is it so important to get rid of fleas quickly? These insects are capable of infecting a hamster with worms; in addition, rat fleas were the cause of most plague epidemics known to history. They are capable of transmitting during bites the pathogens of salmonellosis and brucellosis, hepatitis A and B, typhoid and relapsing fever, as well as trypanosomes. Hamster is sick

Hamster is sick

Despite their pronounced species specificity, most fleas are omnivores and can feed on the blood of various warm-blooded animals. This means that any of the above fleas can bite a person or a hamster, and only an experienced entomologist can determine its species. They bite very quickly, and therefore do not inject anesthetic into the wound. Therefore, flea bites begin to itch immediately.

How to withdraw

To treat parasitic infections external preparations are used ; they are sold in a veterinary pharmacy. When purchasing, pay attention to the label; it should indicate that the product is intended specifically for rodents. Drops and sprays for cats contain a higher concentration of the insecticidal substance and can cause poisoning in guinea pigs.

For treatment the following are used:

• Shampoos;
• Sprays;
• Powders;
• Drops.

Are there allergies to guinea pigs?

Preparations containing pyrethrin are considered the least harmful. These include:

• Spray 8 in 1;
• Flea&Tick;
• Spray Beaphar.

Products based on synthetic pyrethrin analogues are more potent. This:

• Frontline;
• Spray "Bars" for rodents;
• Bolfo.

It is better to treat the rodent outdoors or near an open window, since many preparations have an unpleasant chemical odor.

What exactly should I do? The rules for using insecticides are as follows:

• The medicine should not get on the pet’s face or eyes;
• The skin is treated with a jet of liquid against the growth of the fur;
• After the procedure, the animal should be held in your arms until the hair is completely dry.;
• At the same time, the wool of all animals living in the house is processed;
• In some cases, disinfection should be repeated after a week to destroy insects hatched from eggs.

Veterinary clinics use injections of the drug Ivermectin. However, the active substance is quite toxic, so it is used only in extreme cases.

Redness of the skin, itching, hair loss may indicate other diseases: allergic dermatosis, neurodermatitis, streptococcal infection, metabolic disorders. Be sure to show your pet to the veterinarian so as not to miss a dangerous pathology.

How to understand that an animal is sick?

The subcutaneous mite in a guinea pig is a parasite that lives under the skin of very small sizes. A pet can acquire ticks from contact with another pig and not show that it is infected for a long time. The parasite is activated when immunity decreases. For this reason, ticks are most often found in children, old individuals, pregnant females and pets that are kept in improper conditions.

To identify the disease, you need to do a scraping. He may give an incorrect result, saying that the animal does not have parasites. Larvae can be seen only in half of the possible cases. But if symptoms of infection appear, then treatment must be started immediately. Owners may confuse parasite infection with an allergic reaction. However, if the pet really has an allergy, then signs of the disease do not appear.

Suitable treatment is prescribed by a professional veterinarian. Initially, a tick infestation is diagnosed by scraping. If the analysis shows no evidence of the presence of a parasite, then the doctor can begin treatment based on the symptoms. If the animal is still very young and therefore not properly tamed, then it is better not to scrape it.

Because of this, stress may develop, and then the well-being of the sick rodent will worsen.

It is important to remember that your pet may have more than one disease, but several, which worsen the pig’s well-being. In addition to the subcutaneous type of parasites, there are also ear mites in guinea pigs, as well as other diseases that can baffle even doctors with extensive experience.

The initial stages of treatment are carried out under the constant supervision of a veterinarian.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hhqio47QmLs

The guinea pig has a fairly strong immune system, so it is extremely rare for the animal to become infected. A rodent only gets sick if it is poorly fed and does not receive proper care. How can you tell if your pet is unhealthy?

A healthy domestic pig has a voluminous and shiny coat, excellent appetite, clear eyes, and an open look. The animal behaves actively and inquisitively.

A sick pig changes not only its appearance, but also its behavior. The following symptoms are characteristic of infectious and parasitic pathologies observed in rodents:

• passivity, lethargy, drowsiness;
• discharge from the eyes and nose;
• weight loss;
• loss of appetite;
• dullness and hair loss;
• heavy and rapid breathing;
• cough, runny nose, sneezing;
• constipation, diarrhea;
• heart rhythm disturbance;
• problems with coordination of movements;
• convulsions;
• frequent urination;
• feces of unnatural color and strange consistency;
• thirst;
• the presence of ulcers, lumps, ulcers, wounds on the body;
• aggressive and anxious behavior.

A sick pig does not eat, does not brush its coat, hides in the corner of the cage, buries itself in the bedding, or sits in the house forever.

If a pet experiences several or all of the above symptoms, the owner should contact a veterinarian. The doctor will make a diagnosis and prescribe optimal therapy. You cannot treat a rodent yourself. Firstly, some infectious diseases, if not treated correctly, lead to the death of the animal. Secondly, many diseases are extremely contagious and can be transmitted not only to other animals, but also to people.

Prevention

Since guinea pigs become infected from other pets, all pets should be treated periodically with insecticides .

Features of the American Teddy guinea pig breed.

The cleanliness of the cell plays an important role. Regular cleaning, changing bedding, disinfecting feeders and drinking bowls are important aspects of caring for a guinea pig. The pet's home is also washed with the addition of an insecticide. The smell of the product will repel fleas and ticks.

Sources

• https://homkin.ru/morskie-svinki/zdorovie-morskih-svinok/parazity-blohi-kleshhi-vlasoedy.html
• https://combat-dez.ru/kak-izbavitsia-ot-bloh-y-morskih-svinok/
• https://msvinkam.ru/bolezni/parazity-u-morskih-svinok.html
• https://homjakam.ru/morskaya-svinka/zdorove/parazity
• https://NaLugah.ru/zhivotnovodstvo/morskie-svinki/parazity-u-morskih-svinok-simptomy-i-lechenie.html
• https://klopkan.ru/blohi/vsyo-o-blohah/blohi-u-morskih-svinok/
• https://apest.ru/nasekomye/vlasoedy/vlasoedy-u-morskih-svinok/
• https://xvostus.com/morskaya-svinka/bolezni/blohi.html

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