Baby guinea pigs with mites

Question
My female guinea pig had four babies last Sunday and they were all born healthy and are doing well, except for the mites. The mother starting scratching like crazy after giving birth and ripping her fur out, even biting her flesh off. I rushed to the vet with her and the babies and we began a course of Invomox (we are in South Africa, assuming its the generic for Invomectin). Trouble is the vet said we can't treat the babies until they are 34og and they are completely infested. They are scratching and itching and flicking about all over the cage. What can I do for the little ones? I take the female for her second injection on Wednesday. My other concern is that the babies will reinfect the mother once her treatment is over and they still have the mites. I feel so sorry for the little piggies.

Answer
I think the vet is correct about waiting for the Ivermec. injections. However, I do think you can use a dip made for puppies and kittens that has Pyrethrins or Premethrins in it. Given their young age I think I would dilute the mixture by one half. If the umbilical cords are still on but dry they should be okay.  Generally they have fallen off by then. When you dip the babies (and this is important)don't use a hair dryer or towel to dry them. Blot off the belly right away around the cord. Then allow them to drip dry on a towel.

I had a friend who did a rescue on a large number of pigs and had the same situation. She was a vet tech and had asked her vet about it first. That's why they did the dip. There are also products on the market that are sprays that can be used for the babies as well. But the injectable Ivermectin was a little much for the very young.

If you use a spray it will be easier to avoid the belly. You only need to give one spray on the top of each pig. Just cover their head to avoid any spray getting into the eyes or ears.

The sows seem more susceptible to the effect of mites after deliver because of the normal stress on the mom from the pregnancy and delivery. I treat my pregnant moms with either the oral Ivermect or a spray and have had no problems. Just check the label to be sure it's okay for puppies and kittens. Their general immune system is a bit compromised during pregnancy and afterward from nursing, so they seem to get attacked more aggressively by these things.

The injection will break the breeding cycle of the mites and hopefully keeping the babies from reinfesting her. But in the meantime you don't want the poor little things driving themselves crazy from mites.

Please let me know how it goes.