[Gpdd] Re: Guiness's Story

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I have never written to the site before but enjoy the daily fix. However this 
morning, Debi's story about Guiness made me so angry I felt I had to write.. 
After many years of breeding, rehoming and rescuing pigs I think his problem 
was a skin parasite. I get pigs in this condition referred to me quite a lot. 
Skin conditions due to  parasites such as Selnick mange mite will result in the 
death of the guinea pig if left untreated. Many vets opt to put the pig to 
sleep through ignorance or they feel guinea pigs are disposable and easily 
replaced pets.

I know we all like to feed our piggies well and avoid chemicals etc.. But 
please shampoo your pigs regularly. to avoid mite attack and fungal infections. 
Ordinary cosmetic pet shampoos are great for cleaning but do they offer any 
protection against skin parasites or fungal infections? My experience, and yes, 
it is only my experience has taught me not to bother with skin scrapings etc. I 
have not lost a pig yet, not due to me being a miracle worker, but by coming 
up with a treatment plan. Thank you Peter Gurney.

ISome of the pigs that have come to me have been emaciated, weak. bald and 
with very sore skin, in these cases the vet has recommended euthanasia. Straight 
away they are shampooed with Seleen dog shampoo. Not only good for flaky skin 
or fungal infections but kills lice and mites. We shampoo every two to three 
days for ten days. The affected pigs are given a sulpher tablet on the tongue 
and vitamin drops  daily as well as put on a diet rich in vegetables and good 
quality hay.. They are given three doses of Ivermectin twelve days apart to 
kill the skin mite. We use Tee Tree oil  as a massage to relieve the itching of 
the skin or Neem oil as recommended by Peter Gurney. Sometimes pigs in this 
condition don't want to move because it makes the itching worse so they give up 
eating. We use metatone tonic on a spoon (not through a syringe ) to boost the 
appetite and feed Complan and a rehydration solution by spoon. As well as 
offering hay, dried grass veggies and concentrate. We continue with this 
treatment until the pig puts weight on and haireregrows. teeth are checked to make 
sure they are not overgrowing. It may seem like hard work but it is so worth it.

We shampoo our own pigs with Seleen every two months and they are extremely 
happy. Please put together a fact sheet for yourselves from the good advice 
available on this site and from Peter Gurney so that you can find simple 
treatments quickly. If needs be educate your vet. Sorry to have gone on so long.
 
 Antoinette and the magic 60.