Jasmines lice problem

[clover]

Jasmine has now been treated for a lice problem and she now has a thin layer of hair growing back. At first the vet and I thought it was mites, so all my piggies were treated with oral ivomectin. Anyway, Jasmines bald area became worse as you can see from the photo.



All my other piggies didn't have any skin problems, but as we know they can carry mites without being effected by them. Well I was reading through one of my guinea pig care books and found that a symptom of lice is a V shape near the rump. As you can see it was definatly a V shape. After using a special shampoo and treating just her cage mates Sweetpea and Jake, her fur is growing back nicely.

I'll take a photo soon of her fur growing back.

[Susie (Barmy4Boars)]

Glad to hear she is feeling better. Is that her on your Avatar? She is very pretty. Thanks for sharing this info.

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Yes Susie, thats Jasmine just after her bath I rewarded her with some parsley.

[Livie]

Awe she is so sweet! One of my cavys, Chester is crazy about Parsly!! She is very cute jackie, i am glad she is getting better

[michelle]

my lot have got use to getting parsley or cucumber after their baths, I'm growing a parsley patch just by their sheds so its handy to pick a bunch for extra treats like nail clipping or ivomectin them

[gprescueirleland]

Never knew about the 'V' shape as a sign for lice, good info to have, cheers.

[Chrissie "The Oils Lady"]

Although the "v-shape" may be an indication of a lice problem, many guineas have lice without any signs of hairloss, and little or no scratching.

This is why you need to check their hair / skin regularly and thoroughly. Lice are a common problem at this time of the year - they can be picked up when guineas are out on the grass, so do watch out

Chrissie

.....new lice shampoo coming very soon!

[clover]

I'll try your new lice shampoo Chrissi if she gets them again.

Just wanted to add why the V shape may appear with lice. Some piggies can develope a louse allergy which makes the guinea pig bite itself further, especially on the reachable rump area. Mange mites can also show a simlar shape.

Jasmines skin wasn't sore, but it did irritate her.

I also treated Jasmines cage mates, even though like you say Chrissi, some guinea pigs arn't effected by them.

I do check them regular, but I'll try using a magnifying glass, because white ones would be hard to see against white hair.

Here is Jasmine's hair now

[Susie (Barmy4Boars)]

...and I always thought I would spot them right away. I do check skin weekly for redness, hairloss, cuts, dandruff etc but don't look really closely like that. Will try with magnifying glass myself. Such a simple thing and probably makes things easier to see.

[clover]

I think I need a trip to the optitions to Susie lol. White lice are harder to see though on a light coloured guinea pig. At least now I know that its not always manage mites that cause the bald V area. Her hair has grown back very quickly and she's back to being very beautiful again