Fact sheet

The Selnick mite is unfortunately a common problem that comes to piggies in general, so we've compiled a Fact sheet on this condition with an aim to help people when their pigs are suffering.

Selnick is a name that breeders and knowledgeable vets give to the sarcoptic mite ( there is some debate about this going on, but its what my vet says), it is a FORM of the sarcoptic mite, although not the same one as is found in dogs, each mite is individual in its 'host'. This mite actually lives under the skin of your guinea pigs all of the time. It only causes problems when the guinea pig is run down or unwell, sometimes you cannot even see that your guinea pig is under the weather, but this is when it gets out of control, causing a lot of damage and distress. Cleaning cannot kill it ( you cant kill it, it lives there all the time ) or even CONTROL it, its a tough little devil !!

The most important thing to know is This Mite can KILL

If left untreated the pig will get into such a distressed condition that it would be considered cruel to keep it alive, they can have fits and ultimately go into heart failure. but since the invention of IVOMEC there is absolutely no need for this to happen.

SYMPTOMS

You cannot see the selnick mite with the naked eye, only with skin scrapings and a microscope. The symptoms are as follows:
 Scurfy Skin: a lot like dandruff.
 Extreme scratching: The mite causes the guinea pig a lot of distress. In fact the guinea pig will often itch so much that when YOU touch its skin it will appear to be 'fitting'. Also it has been noted that guinea pigs can become more aggressive and less friendly when they have this mite due to their distress.
 Loss of Hair: The hair of the guinea pig literally comes out by the roots, the roots will be covered in scurf, a  sign of selnick, but also of   Ringworm, its best to get a qualified vet to check with skin scrapings if possible.
 Skin hot to Touch: This doesn't always happen, but is quite common.
 Open wounds: Eventually the guinea pig will scratch open wounds into its skin, these may then become infected.

TREATMENT

Treatment of selnick should always be considered as urgent. If your vet refuses to use Ivomec ( often because its too expensive), try to find a vet that will, some people try to get the breeder to do this job, indeed we ourselves once used to be eager to help, but we found out from our vet  and must point out that, although their heart is in the right place this is illegal, in fact I have heard recently of a case of a Rabbit shelter in the US being almost prosecuted for trying to 'help', PLEASE find a vet

The primary treatments to cure the selnick, it is either an injection of, or oral Ivomec. I use oral and the dose is one drop, the recommended dose, as in the book 'Diseases of Domestic Guinea Pigs' by V C G Richardson ( A Vet) is Age 3 months and over 0.02ml/kg by injection  or one drop ( only 0.02ml remember and only that or it can poison your little friend), on day 1 and then one drop ten days later to kill any remaining eggs. With an injection you again need two, on days 1 and 10. It has been found with pet guinea pigs that one cycle of treatment is USUALLY  enough, they often never need it again.

Please note this is the 1% strength injection Ivomec, there are other strengths.

Secondary Treatments are to cure the symptoms of the disease, they alone WILL NOT cure selnick, but they are necessary to make your cavy more comfortable.
Bathing Bath your guinea pig about every 3 days with a dandruff shampoo such as Ceanol, available from chemists, or Sporal D from your vet , this will reduce the scurf and itching and cool the skin.
Creams and Ointments To reduce the itching rub in small amounts of  an ointment called Kamiliosan. This is for nursing mums (humans) and is available from your chemist. It suits guinea pigs to a tee and is totally non toxic. Other than that you can use hydrocortisone cream,O.1%. If your cavy has open cuts, keep it clean and apply any antiseptic ointment for animals, panalog is excellent, but only available from your vet, or anything which contains Tea Tree Oil. If the cuts become infected ( yellow) you will need Baytril, an antibiotic.
Patience Once selnick is advanced there is no fast cure, you may think the ivomec is not working , but it is, it can take 3 months for all sores to heal, it can be a vicious circle, as when a cut heals , it itches, and so the pig scratches it open again, this is when hydrocortisone is essential.
Be patient and give your piggy all his or her favourite food, in other words spoil them rotten

It should also by noted that the ringworm found on guinea pigs ( often at the same time as the selnick mite) is not fussy about its host, in other words it likes humans too, so make sure you wash your hands properly after handling an infected guinea pig

Back to Home Page