Lice eaters in guinea pigs: what they look like and why they are dangerous

Guinea pigs have a strong place among pets. These are sweet, beautiful creatures, devoid of aggression towards family members. Now there are more than one and a half dozen breeds of guinea pigs and selection work continues. Can lice-eaters appear and why in a guinea pig if it lives in a house? We will analyze everything in order in the article, including the solution to this unpleasant issue.

Like all animals, these little ones are susceptible to a number of diseases. But the veterinarians of the Ya-VET Emergency Veterinary Care Center successfully cope with all ailments. If your pig suddenly becomes lethargic

or she shows other signs of the disease, then there is no need to waste time. When treating any disease, the main thing is to start on time.

Contact the Ya-VET Center for Emergency Veterinary Care for Animals, where veterinarians with extensive experience and deep knowledge will successfully conduct research using modern equipment and, having made an accurate diagnosis, prescribe the most effective treatment.

You can call a veterinarian at home by calling. The maximum waiting time is no more than 40 minutes!

Today we propose to understand the question - what are lice eaters in guinea pigs?

, how dangerous this parasite is and what methods of combating it exist today.

Existence and reproduction of lice eaters

The parasite has a flat body. The maximum size of an adult is 2 mm. On dark pig fur it appears white or yellowish, on white fur it appears grey.

When magnifying the lice eater under a microscope, it was discovered that its fur was covered with bristles. The head is large, angular in shape, with eyes, antennae and a rather large mouth. The lice eater's jaws are powerful and covered with teeth. It moves on 6 paws with claws at the end, which additionally causes irritation on the skin of the affected animal.

Static louse multiply quite quickly. The lice beetle can lay more than 100 eggs at a time. The parasite glues them to the fur with a sebaceous substance that it secretes from its gland. The larva grows within 3 weeks.

Infectious pathologies

Plague

A particularly dangerous viral disease of guinea pigs, characterized by high contagiousness and lethality. After infection, the incubation period usually does not exceed 3 weeks. Clinical signs:

• general weakness;
• convulsions;
• apathy;
• lack of coordination;
• paralysis of the hind limbs.

The diagnosis is confirmed by laboratory testing, and the sick pig is immediately euthanized. No treatment has been developed.

Pseudotuberculosis

A common pathology with high mortality and the main symptom is diarrhea. The disease has nothing in common with real tuberculosis - the name is given due to the discovery of nodules in organs during autopsy, reminiscent of tuberculous tubercles. The main difference from true tuberculosis is the absence of lung damage.

Clinical manifestations:

• watery stool mixed with mucus and blood;
• loss of appetite;
• conjunctivitis is often observed;
• palpation reveals an enlargement of the mesenteric lymph nodes;
• in the terminal stage, convulsions are observed.

A test with pseudotuberculin is used as a laboratory diagnosis, but at the moment this option is available in a small number of clinics.

Treatment is also difficult - most often pseudotuberculosis in guinea pigs occurs in a fulminant and acute form. Therapy is reduced to the administration of antibiotics (tetracycline) in a loading dose, as well as the use of sulfonamides.

Paratyphoid

For treatment use:

• tetracycline antibiotics;
• sulfadimezine;
• antityphoid serum.

Improvements in content are also being monitored. Due to diarrhea in a guinea pig, you should clean the cage more often, provide the animal with easily digestible food, and do not limit drinking.

Pasteurellosis

A bacterial disease of guinea pigs and other animals, the pathology is also dangerous for humans. In pets it manifests itself as a respiratory infection:

• profuse catarrhal-purulent discharge from the nasal passages;
• guinea pigs sneeze and rub their nose;
• hard breath;
• wheezing sounds.

With complications, diarrhea, pustular and erythematous skin lesions develop. In the terminal stage, convulsions are observed. The disease is characterized by high mortality, especially among young animals.

On large guinea pig farms, any stock showing obvious clinical signs should be separated immediately. It is recommended to destroy animals in serious condition and dead. All livestock, including clinically healthy ones, are prescribed a course of antibiotics and sulfa drugs. Therapeutic and quarantine measures are lifted a week after the last case of clinical manifestation of the disease, and all premises and equipment are disinfected.

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis

A viral disease of guinea pigs, characterized by high mortality. The infection spreads with mice; other animals can also pose a danger, so before adding a new pig to an existing one, a month-long quarantine should be carried out.

Pets experience high fever and general weakness. The diagnosis is confirmed by laboratory tests, in which case the guinea pig should be euthanized. No treatment has been developed, and the virus is also dangerous for people.

Bordetellosis

Previously, the disease was registered exclusively in dogs as “kennel cough”; later cases of infection in cats, farm animals, and rodents, including guinea pigs, were identified. The wide range of susceptible animals makes the disease dangerous for pets. In guinea pigs it often appears after contact with other animals. Therefore, the main preventive measure is to prevent contact and timely therapy, vaccination and diagnosis of dogs, cats and other animals. Vaccine prevention of bordetellosis has also been developed in guinea pigs, but it shows little effectiveness and only reduces the severity of the pathology.

Pets experience characteristic changes in the respiratory system:

• sneezing;
• labored breathing;
• catarrhal-purulent discharge from the nasal passages;
• temperature increase;
• inflammation of the conjunctiva;
• the head is often turned to one side - otitis media develops;
• appetite is reduced or absent;
• general lethargy.

Treatment is complex; the best results are achieved with the combined use of antibiotics and sulfonamide drugs:

• subcutaneous injections of baytril, intramuscular injections of gentamicin;
• sulfadimethoxine.

Specific therapy in the form of menthol inhalations and eucalyptus decoctions is difficult, so sodium bicarbonate in an amount of 0.1-0.2 g/kg, thermopsis or pectusin should be added to the feed. To support the heart, injections of sulfocamphocaine or caffeine, carboxylase are prescribed. Complex vitamin supplements are recommended.

Signs of parasites

Symptoms in an animal do not appear immediately, but then they are expressed in several forms:

1. Itching on the skin. The pig begins to constantly itch and bite itself, trying to gnaw out the lice-eaters, without regulating the strength of the bites on the skin. As a result, wounds and abrasions appear.
2. Lack of sleep and appetite. The animal becomes restless and stops eating food in normal quantities. As a result, vitamin deficiency and anemia appear, and immunity decreases.
3. Hair loss.
4. The animal has a sloppy appearance - the fur does not shine and looks greasy.
5. The presence of parasites on the fur. When examining the fur closely, worms 1 mm long are visible.
6. The tired appearance of an animal at any time of the day, as the constant struggle exhausts him emotionally.
7. An allergic reaction is redness of the skin.

Important! Lice eaters are parasites that carry dangerous diseases such as helminthiasis, fungus, viruses and bacteria.

Group of ectoparasites

This type includes skin types of parasites. The most common are skin lice, fleas and lice. The first symptoms of a pet infection include redness and itching of the skin, as well as hair loss in areas where microorganisms accumulate. It is this type of parasite that causes diseases that cause exhaustion, purulent ulcers, and in advanced cases, death. Moreover, the latter scenario can occur not only due to the animal’s lack of appetite, but also due to less obvious signs such as general blood poisoning. The fact is that toxic substances enter the blood through abrasions and microcracks formed by scratching the affected areas by the animal itself.

Reasons for appearance

Static lice are transmitted through direct animal contact. Parasites also settle in sawdust and hay, which are added to the cage when cleaning. They may also appear in food packaging that has not been hermetically sealed.

The maximum risk of infection occurs during the cold season (late autumn and winter), when the animal’s fur becomes thicker and the undercoat grows more actively.

To prevent infection, you need to clean the cage more often and use proven bedding materials.

Lice

Despite the rarer occurrence of this type of parasite, they can occur even with good care of the pet. And, most dangerously, it can be transmitted to humans through contact with a sick animal. Lice cause the appearance of pediculosis, which is characterized by severe itching, obesity and increased temperature of the animal. Lice can be treated using fairly gentle methods: if the infestation is not so local, you can use specialized shampoos. Veterinarians recommend treating the animal with a 10-day course of ivarmectin just in case. The pig's cage must be washed with a solution containing chlorine. It is also necessary to shampoo all pets that have previously come into contact with the infected person.

Infection with lice beetles in humans

Experts' opinions on this matter are divided. Some scientists, as a result of research, have found that the parasite can settle on any hair surface of animals and humans.

When parasites appear, a person experiences irritation, itching, and bald areas of the scalp appear. Treatment method: anti-lice medications.

Other scientists are confident that the owner of the pig cannot become infected for the following reasons:

• Insufficient hair thickness.
• Body temperature is too low. To exist and reproduce, lice eaters need a body temperature, like that of animals, not lower than 37.4-39.3.
• If it gets on the skin, the parasite will bite, but will not be able to live long and will die after 7 days, leaving no offspring. However, an infected animal should not come into contact with children and the elderly. Their immunity is weak and interaction can lead to dermatitis.

What not to treat

Choose a remedy for lice for your guinea pig based on reviews or a recommendation from a veterinarian. The following drugs should not be used:

• Ethnomazan;
• Stomazan;
• Butox.

They are well advertised but are used exclusively for the cage and its contents. They can easily harm the animal and even lead to death.

Use only proven methods for treating your guinea pig. Keep it clean and try to prevent the appearance of lice or other parasites.

Methods of treatment and prevention of diseases

Today, means of treatment and protection against lice eaters are presented in a wide range. For ease of use, they are available in several forms:

• spray;
• drops;
• emulsion;
• shampoo;
• powder;
• collar.

Sprays are prepared based on biocidal elements. The simplest method of application is to spray the skin of the pig and spread it over the hair using massaging movements. At the initial stage of the disease, one application is sufficient. The drugs Blokhnet, Dana, Bars, and Inspector have proven themselves well.

The drops have the same base as sprays and are designed to get rid of ticks and lice. It is enough to apply a few drops on the spine in the area of ​​the animal’s withers, where it cannot reach. Today, the effectiveness of this form is recognized as the simplest and most effective, because it provides a long-term preventive effect.

Emulsions are diluted with water or injection solution, since they are produced in concentrated form. The solution is used to treat wool. Recommended: Stop Itching, Atop 7+.

Shampoo is the safest way. A properly selected shampoo can prevent the appearance of lice by creating a protective barrier on the animal's fur. A sick animal cannot be cured by washing it with shampoo the first time. Use Phytoelite, Dana, Frontline and Bars. Their action, consistency and consumption are identical.

Collars quickly get rid of lice and protect your pet for a long time. The disadvantage of this form is a possible allergy of the pig to the components, which will be expressed in the form of skin irritation.

The powder is very fine and has a powder-like consistency. Advantages: relief from itching and irritation of the skin in a short period of time. It is enough to rub it into the skin once to maintain the effect for 1.5 weeks.

After treating the animal, you need to treat its cage or enclosure, as well as all the objects it uses. This is done with a solution of special preparations.

Preventive actions

To prevent infection with ectoparasites, pigs need proper care and maintenance, the nature and characteristics of which are as follows:

• periodic examination of all pets;
• treating all items they use with insecticides;
• disinfection of feed purchased in bulk (it is kept in the freezer for 1 day);
• maintaining personal hygiene before interacting with a rodent.

Pets that are taken for walks should wear tick collars in the spring and summer. During this period, parasites are especially active. Some of them are carriers of the meningoencephalitis virus, which is dangerous for animals and people.

If your pig develops itching and anxiety, it is best to contact a veterinarian or rodentologist (a specialist in small exotic mammals) and undergo treatment under medical supervision.

Endoparasites

Endoparasites are parasites that live in the internal organs of a guinea pig. They cause great harm to health and cause not only various poisonings, but also lead to disruption of the functioning of internal organs, as well as the death of the animal. Most often, a guinea pig suffers from:

• worms,
• liver flukes.

Worms

These parasites not only absorb nutrients, but also lead to intoxication and depletion of the body. Typically, guinea pigs are susceptible to infection with two types of worms:

• tape or flat,
• round.

Adult flatworms are parasitic in the intestines and have a ribbon-shaped body. The embryos of worms, having entered the animal’s body along with low-quality food, can drill through the wall of the small intestine and enter the blood. They are able to move freely throughout the body through the circulatory system and settle in the lungs, liver, and brain, which will lead to the rapid death of the animal. Worm larvae are dangerous not only for guinea pigs, but also for humans. An infected animal can be easily identified by lethargy and drowsiness, weight loss, increased appetite and thirst. If the infection is severe, then in the animal’s feces you can see not only worm larvae, but also adult individuals. And with a very severe infection, worms can crawl out of the anus.

Roundworms vary in appearance and can be shaped like a thin thread or a grain of rice. Some are whitish in color and some are pink. Parasites most often live in the intestines, lungs and liver. They lead to exhaustion and blood poisoning, as well as frequent digestive problems and poisoning. Before starting treatment for any type of worms, you should visit a veterinarian to determine the degree of infection. If there are a lot of parasites, special supportive and immune medications may be required. However, if the infection is not severe, then it is enough to give the pig a suspension of prazicide for kittens at the rate of one milliliter per kilogram of the guinea pig’s weight. Dirofen paste has proven itself well. Along with giving the medicine, it is necessary to completely treat the cell with a chlorine-containing solution.

Liver fluke

The liver fluke is one of the most common and dangerous representatives of the species of liver flukes that parasitize the body of mammals. An animal can become infected with this parasite through poorly washed food, as well as through dirty water. Symptoms indicating fluke infection are loss of appetite, as well as lethargy, drowsiness and increased body temperature. Within a month, symptoms may completely disappear, but the parasite will continue to exist inside the liver. Gradually, liver tissue will be destroyed, metabolism will be disrupted, and blood poisoning may occur. Often the liver fluke causes the death of a guinea pig.

Only a veterinarian can determine the presence of fluke in the body after collecting tests, and treatment will depend on the degree of infection of the animal.

Carrying out diagnostics

You can identify fleas yourself. They can be seen with the naked eye on the rodent's face and stomach. If you comb the fur with a single-row, fine-toothed comb, it will leave behind insect excrement in the form of small brown clumps, as well as dead or living insects. Parasites are easier to detect on animals with light fur.

If the diagnosis is carried out by a veterinarian, he takes a scraping from the rodent's skin for examination.

A pig can have several diseases at the same time, for example:

• allergic dermatosis;
• ectoparasites;
• streptococcal infection;
• neurodermatitis;
• mycoses.

Any of these factors, as well as metabolic disorders and poor nutrition, cause itching, sore skin and hair loss.

To determine the presence of the disease, a scraping is taken from the animal's skin.

Feed deficiencies in guinea pigs

Although commercially available pre-mixed foods are usually sufficient for most animals, it is unfortunately common for many guinea pigs to show symptoms of certain nutritional deficiencies. The most common is probably vitamin C deficiency, although it is rarely severe enough to cause obvious symptoms. Therefore, one must constantly be aware of this threat, recognizing that a lack of vitamin C weakens the body's natural immune system and increases the likelihood of disease.

If your pig gets vegetables and fruits, you can be sure that she is not at risk of vitamin C deficiency. In addition to the greens that are usually given, you can slip her a bunch of parsley tops from time to time - they contain a lot of vitamin C. Almost all guinea pigs eat her very willingly.

Progressive deficiency of vitamin C leads, as in humans, to scurvy. Here is what the famous German writer and journalist Bernhard Grzimek writes about this in his book “Our Little Brothers”: “... these funny fat animals have one thing in common with us humans: they can, like us, get scurvy. True, in their homeland, Peru, where a lot of both wild and domestic guinea pigs roam, they have never suffered from such a disease. It is we, people, who awarded the unfortunate experimental animals with such a disease.” In the process of evolution, they have lost the ability to synthesize vitamin C. Symptoms of scurvy are loose teeth, and in an extremely acute form - attacks, during which the animal usually lies on its side with outstretched paws and an expression of pain on the face. In this case, the only salvation can be a strong dose of vitamin C, preferably in the form of a solution, which is given according to the instructions of a veterinarian.

Guinea pigs can be given at least 5 mg of vitamin C daily in their drinking water. As an approximate dose, we can recommend 1 mg of ascorbic acid per 1 ml of water. Since ascorbic acid easily enters into chemical reactions, the solution must be changed daily. When keeping a guinea pig at home, it needs an average of 20 mg of vitamin C per day.

In cases of other vitamin deficiencies, for example, those manifested by hair loss or skin allergies, it is recommended to give a multivitamin preparation daily. In addition, of course, one should strive to exclude the cause of the disease, because with proper nutrition such a problem should not arise in principle.

Already weakened animals catch cold easily. This occurs mainly when food shortages are accompanied by incorrect placement of the cage. When your pig catches a cold, it is necessary to: eliminate the root cause of the disease; keep the animal warm; try to strengthen his immune system by increasing the dose of vitamins.

Less dangerous, but also unpleasant, are eye inflammations caused by drafts. In this case, the first step should also be to move the animal from an unsuitable place. In addition, eye drops prescribed by a veterinarian are used.

In order not to expose your guinea pig to the danger associated with sudden changes in temperature, you can take it out onto the balcony only when the weather is really warm. This South American rodent feels best at temperatures around 20°C. Animals kept outside the home should regularly receive vitamin C in preventive doses.