Little white bugs

Question
Female, 2 years old, Angel, long haired pig. Has cage mate. She developed overnight paralysis almost a year ago and the vet said she would only live a couple of weeks, (she beat those odds)she is generally healthy, but I have noticed little white bugs in her hair, they don't seem to bother her, but I am afraid she will spred. I don't know what they are, I have tried bathing her, but they don't go away. Her cage mate does NOT have them. Do you know what this could be? and how do I get rid of it?

Answer
Hello Jeannine,

It sounds like it may be fur mites (static lice). Ivermectin is the treatment. It could also be another species of fur mite (walking dandruff) or lice, but since you said it isn't bothering your piggy, it's most likely the first. The other 2 cause itching and discomfort. I'll give you a couple links so you can read the descriptions and decide for yourself. The treatment for all three is still ivermectin though (although Advantage can also be used for lice). The site also tells you how to use the ivermectin. Be cautious though, ivermectin is a poison and can be deadly if administered improperly. For this reason it would be best to see a vet for treatment.

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

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

-kkat
http://www.geocities.com/abyssinianguineapigs