Lice Removal for Guinea Pigs

Lice can hurt guinea pigs if not treated.

Guinea pigs are sometimes victims to a host of parasites, diseases and other afflictions that are easily treatable. Lice infestation is a major problem for guinea pig owners because the lice can travel to humans, especially children in contact with the animals. If your guinea pig is scratching excessively, losing hair or scabbing, there's a good chance it's infested by lice and needs treatment. There are several ways to treat your pet.

Things You'll Need

• Gloves
• Flea shampoo or powder
• Antiseptic wash

Instructions

1. Take your guinea pig to the veterinarian to determine if it's actually infected with lice. There are a host of other mites and bugs that can infest guinea pigs that won't go away with lice treatment.

2. Wash your guinea pig with flea shampoo or powder while wearing gloves. For very bad cases, the veterinarian may have to prescribe an intravenous medication for removing lice.

3. Clean any scratches, lesions or wounds with antiseptic wash so your guinea pig won't get an infection.

4. Isolate the guinea pig to determine whether or not your other guinea pigs also have lice.

5. Repeat every 30 days or as recommended to prevent outbreaks.

Tips & Warnings

• Guinea pigs generally get lice from each other, but the lice can be transmitted by infected bedding or from humans carrying the animals.

• Flea shampoo won't get rid of other dangerous parasites or skin conditions.

References

• Veterinary Partner: Guinea Pigs
• Guinea Lynx: Lice