Dr Anne Fawcett: How to deal with mites on your guinea pigs
THIS week Dr Anne Fawcett talks about mite infestations in your guinea pig and how hard they can be to pick up before is too late. If left to long it might require vet treatment.
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ALL animals — including humans — are susceptible to parasites, but most parasites are selective about the species they inhabit.
Guinea pigs don’t tend to be bothered by fleas the way dogs and cats are, but they are vulnerable to the guinea pig mite trixacarus caviae.
This mite is particularly problematic because, unlike fleas, it is invisible to the naked eye, which means that infestation can be missed until very advanced.
The mites burrow deep into the skin, causing itchiness, inflammation and pain.
Signs include hair loss (especially around the trunk and rear end), scaly skin, scratching, biting, skin sores and — in serious cases — seizures.
Infestations can cause death as severely affected guinea pigs may succumb to secondary infections, dehydration or starvation.
Your veterinarian can diagnose infestation by performing a skin scrape, ideally under anaesthesia as this is painful.
Where do these mites come from?
Guinea pigs catch them from infested guinea pigs. Some guinea pigs may carry mites without showing signs.
AMAZING GUINEA PIG MAZE
Mites can be dormant for long periods, but signs may develop in animals that are unwell or stressed.
Dr Anne Fawcett is a lecturer in veterinary science at the University of Sydney and a vet with Sydney Animal Hospitals Inner West.
You can read her blog at the Small Animal Talk website.
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