My guinea pig has some kind of lice!?

Question

Yeah, my guinea pig has some kind of lice or mite or something.. I know because when she started having seizures, I checked her and found her crawling with white things.. But I can't take her to the vet, because my parents are both basically insensitive and unempathetic, and won't take her.. I can't imagine my guinea pig dying from a parasite such as lice!

Is there some kind of non-expensive thing that I could do to get rid of the lice, that's effective, without going to the vet?

Also - she doesn't seem to be not eating like this website said would happen.. And she doesn't have open sores or hair loss, in fact, a LOT of hair.. But I know there's some kind of whitish stuff on her face. By the way, she's been having fits or seizure-like things for like 2 years..

Answer 1

Umm, no kitten flea powder and no bathing. Waste of money-and bathing makes the parasites bite more, leading to more pain and seizures. You pig most likely has mites, and the only thing that cures it is ivermectin. You can get that at the vet or buy it online (it's nonprescription) or at a feed or horse supply store. It's quite inexpensive and rather easy to treat at home.

Read the following links with your parents:
http://www.guinealynx.info/mites.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/ivermectin.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/lice.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/forums/viewtopic.php?t=30325

And a general link all guinea pig owners should read:
http://www.guinealynx.info/healthycavy.html

Answer 2

Almost all of the replies here are completely ignorant - including Trina's above me. What in the world? Do not use insectisidal shampoo on a guinea pig - EVER. Do not use kitten powder or any over the coutner flea or lice remedy on a guinea pig.

This animal needs to go to a vet to get proper treatment. She is suffering and WILL DIE. I cannot believe you've let her have seizuers for 2 years without getting treated. If you cannot take care of her properly you should probably give her to an animal rescue wehre they can give the poor thing some help!!

How would you like it if you had seizures and lice for 2 years and nobody helped you???

Answer 3

Are they like miniture rice shaped things that glide through her fur? They are more visible near the face. They are a type of mite. You can get anti-parasite drops for rodents from a good supermarket, you just squeez the recomended dosage onto the back of her neck and it lasts a few months. I used Bob Martin and they were only about £3.

They're only mites and don't bite into the skin like lice would. They do cause severe irriation and alot of scratching. They can cause dandruff, keep them away from other animals. They don't go onto human skin or furniture though so don't worry about that.

The fits you are describing are good! If she is jumping up in the air and sort of shaking mid air it means she is very happy and trying to get the energy out. They are sometimes called 'popcorns'.
Make sure you let her play outside of her cage often, and maybe getting her another girl pig will encourage her to be more social. No guinea pig is happy by itself.

For more into visit cavycare.com and theguineapigforum.co.uk

Answer 4

She won't die and she doesn't need to see the vet...(although she probably will some day so you better sort something out!).

It sounds like Static Lice. One of my guinea pigs had that a few years ago. I bought some INSECTICIDAL shampoo from the petshop, bathed her in it (lathered it and left it on for 10 mins) then rinsed!). That's all you have to do! :)

It definitely isn't mites because mites are on the INSIDE of the cavy's body... they cannot be seen unless you use a microscope, also. Lice live in the fur and CAN be seen with the naked eye.

Answer 5

Cut the crap. It is her RIGHT by law to receive proper care and to deny it is abuse. Call the mobile vet; they will come to you. Or get in a taxi and go to the vet. Or have a friend take you. There are vets that will accept monthly payments. Get a job or a second job and get that pet to the vet!!

She's been having seizures for TWO YEARS?! And you haven't taken her to the vet?! HOW CRUEL and INHUMANE. You have no right to have that guinea pig. How she has suffered - and is suffering now.

This responsibility is part of pet ownership. Stop making excuses, and stop wasting time diddling around on the computer! Get off your lazy butt and get her to the VET!

Answer 6

This sounds like mites. All of my guinea pigs have had it at one time or the another. The hair loss is typical of mites and the sezuires are typical of mange mites.

The easiest home treatment for mites is ivermectin. You can get it at feed stores and it' fairly cheap. First thoroughly clean your guinea pigs cage. A 5% bleach solution is a vet approved method. Then treat your guinea pigs topically with ivermectin at recommended doses (0.5mg/kg). Place 1/3 of the dose behind each ear and 1/3 in the rump area.

This sounds like what your pig has
http://www.guinealynx.com/mites.html

Answer 7

You need to get some flea powder for kittens that says it will also kill lice. I used that on my first guinea pig and the lice died right away. You need to sprinkle some around in the cage, too. Be sure the powder says for kittens.
I hope your baby gets better. Good luck.

Answer 8

you really need to take her to the vet they can help...........my cousins had lice and they had to tak her to the vet and she had to get shots and some other stuff for them to go away

Answer 9

Wash it every day. and then after the bath comb him or her. then when your bout 2 go to sleep put mayo on his or her fur . lice hates it soon it will go away