🐹 Fur Mites in Guinea Pigs: A Vet’s 2025 Guide with Dr Duncan Houston BVSc 🦠🪳

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc – Fur mites and mange can cause discomfort, skin disease, and serious illness in guinea pigs. This comprehensive 2025 guide covers causes, signs, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention—keeping your cavies comfortable and healthy! 🩺✨

📘 Understanding Fur Mites

Two common types affect guinea pigs:

• Chirodiscoides caviae (“walking dandruff” or fur mites): Non-burrowing, often mild. Look like specks on hair shafts :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
• Trixacarus caviae (sarcoptic mange mite): Burrows into skin, highly irritating and potentially life-threatening :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.

🐾 How Guinea Pigs Acquire Mites

• Direct contact with infected cavies or mites in environment/bedding :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
• Stress, illness, or unsanitary conditions allow mite populations to surge :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.

🩹 Symptoms to Watch For

• Visible dandruff or pinpoint specks that move :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
• Itching, scratching, rubbing, restlessness.
• Mild alopecia with fur mites; intense hair loss, crusting, scabs with sarcoptic mites :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• In severe cases: weight loss, depression, seizures, secondary infections :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

🔬 How Vets Diagnose

• Thorough exam reviewing environment, symptoms, and skin/fur condition.
• Skin scraping examined microscopically for mites, eggs, debris :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
• Rule out ringworm or other skin issues via cultures or biopsies if needed :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.

💊 Treatment Options

Choice depends on mite type and severity:

✅ For Chirodiscoides (fur mites):

• Spot treatments with topical agents (powder, spray) or selamectin (Revolution) :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• Repeat cleaning and medication for 2–4 weeks to eliminate eggs :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.

🛑 For Trixacarus (mange mites):

• Prescription ivermectin (injectable or oral) weekly for 3–4 doses :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
• Selamectin topical (Revolution) monthly—fewer doses needed :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
• Supportive care: antihistamines, antibiotics for secondary bacterial infection, fluids, pain relief.
• Hospitalization may be required in severe cases with skin lesions and systemic signs :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.

🏠 Environmental Management

• Deep clean and disinfect cages, hides, feeders, and toys before retreatment—mites and eggs may linger :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
• Freeze bedding and hay for 24 hours to kill parasites :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.
• Use plastic hides and steam-cleanable accessories :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.
• Treat all guinea pigs in group—mite infestations spread easily :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}.

🧪 Monitoring & Follow‑Up

• Revisit vet after treatment to check skin scrapings and confirm mite elimination.
• Continue supportive care—grooming, bedding, environmental enrichment.
• Watch for relapse—ongoing monitoring recommended during 4-week post-treatment period.

🛡️ Prevention Tips

• Regular vet exams and skin checks—caught early, infestations are easier to manage.
• Quarantine new or returning cavies for 2–4 weeks before integrating into herd.
• Keep habitat clean, bedding fresh, avoid damp or soiled areas.
• Freeze new bedding/hay before use to neutralize parasites.
• Reduce stress—good nutrition, space, social interaction boost immunity.

📊 Quick-Reference Table

📲 Ask A Vet, Woopf & Purrz Support 🐾

Use the Ask A Vet app for photo-based teleconsultations, prescription guidance, and follow-up. Woopf offers stylish, washable plastic hides and steamable fleece liners. Purrz supplies immune-support pastes and gentle supplements to calm itchy skin during recovery!

🔬 2025 Vet Innovations

• Wearable dermatitis sensors for early itch detection.
• Newer topical agents combining mite control and skin healing.
• Probiotic/omega-rich dietary support for skin barrier recovery.

📣 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston BVSc 🩺

Fur mite infestations range from mild dandruff to severe, painful mange—but all are treatable. Prompt diagnosis, targeted treatment, environmental care, and supportive recovery are essential. With vet partnership and smart prevention, your guinea pigs can stay itch-free, comfortable, and thriving in 2025! 💚

👉 Download the Ask A Vet app today for expert parasite support anytime your piggy needs relief! 📱🐾