I have five guinea pigs and there is a possibility that they all have mites. I have taken one to the vet in the past for mites, back when I only had one, and they treated with Ivermectin. I want to know if there are any other things that I can do at home. I know you can purchase Revolution online, but have no idea where.

Also, I have seen something I think called Zimectin or something like that, that is used for horses. I wan't to say it says 1% Ivermectin. Can that be used?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Brittanyiscool

The Ivermectin for horses can be used, as long as it's in paste form - you should give them a pea size drop once a week for three weeks. There are possibilites of overdose but it's rare - as long as you pay attention to how much you give them.

lilfyre

Do not use the Zimectin, you will over dose them on it and will kill them, Ivermectin can be purchaced from any livestock store, like agway,

for the ivermectin, give .01 mg(super small amount) to them orally once a week for four weeks,

***note ***

please read completly

http://www.guinealynx.info/ivermectin_treatment.html

http://www.guinealynx.info/ivermectin_oral.html

loplady2003

Hi there, Ivermectin paste(small amount, pea size ) orally will work. Can be given monthly a preventative. Mites can be picked up from shavings and seem to be specific to the cavies(not humans) Maybe natural host are squirrels? Anyway treat caviary of 70 pigs for years will no adverse affect. Frontline or revolution from vet will work. Also have been told Epinex(liquid for horses at Tractor Supply) has been used like revolution on cavies with sucess by some breeders, and is very inexpensive.(This is for topical use NOT injested as with the ivermectin paste)Good luck with your piggies

Crystal_Angel

Hello, I came across this question in my own search. I have looked at the link given for the Ivermectin, as my GP has mites, but no pet store or anywhere near me sells mite stuff anymore. I have checked everywhere, but one store said that if I can get the name of a good one that people recommend he will talk to his distributors about getting me some for him as soon as possible.
My problem is this... my GP is a dwarf. He is no bigger than the palm of your hand, and he is getting no bigger. So, my question is this, would the Ivermectin still be good for him or would I be risking over dosing him because he is so small?
If so is there something else that you can recommend that I can get, I hate seeing him like this and want to find a solution as soon as possible.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

UBetcha

Hello, I just joined so that I could answer and possibly help Crystal Angel re: her dwarf. For my 2lb piggy, my vet prescribed the Revolution (selamectin) for puppies/kitties less than 5 lbs (pink box), with one tube (topical) once per week x 3 weeks. So, perhaps if you weighed your pig, you could divide the dose accordingly. My vet would not be considered an expert in the field, and may be overtreating, as on other sites I read that one dose was sufficient but I'm going to play it safe and do 3. Can get Revolution online or in pet stores but sounds more expensive than the Ivermectin paste (wish I'd found this site before my $160 vet bill -- I had already made the dx myself but read that it was treated via Ivermectin injections by a vet; I also have 4 other piggies that required prophylaxis). So hopefully this info can help solve your dilemma, but I am an MD not a DVM, and defer to the advice from the experts;perhaps Lilfyre may be more familiar with the dosing of selamectin. Don't delay treatment as the infestation can become quite serious (see also guinealynx.com )

Crystal_Angel

Thank you for the response, I actually went ahead and took him to a vet for them, and it only cost me $5 to get him treated. The mites are all gone and he is feeling much better now.
They weighed him and he is only 6oz. he is literally that small. The size of the palm of your hand and wont get any bigger. I know there is no such thing as a dwarf hamster really, but I dont know what else to call him with his size
Thanks a bunch for hte help I appreciate it.