Mites (Revolution & Ivermectin)
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I took in a new pig today. He is suspected to be about 5 months old and weights 907 grams. He is currently in quarantine. When he was rescued, he was suspected of having mites, due to his scraggly hair. I was told that he was treated with one dose of Revolution. I couldn't find out the strength/dosage he received.
I definitely suspect he still has mites, and am terrified of spreading them to one of my senior pigs who is terminally ill. My question is - is it okay to treat him right away with Ivermectin, too? If not, how long do I need to wait?
Thanks, in advance, for any responses.
I definitely suspect he still has mites, and am terrified of spreading them to one of my senior pigs who is terminally ill. My question is - is it okay to treat him right away with Ivermectin, too? If not, how long do I need to wait?
Thanks, in advance, for any responses.
One dose of revolution is not enough I think, they usually have to have 3 doses, with 10 - 14 days in between each dose.
Actually, it's ivermectin that needs repeat doses every 7 days. Revolution is a one time monthly application.
Can I ask why you believe the pig has mites? Is it scratching or does it have patches of hairloss? Remember that mites cannot be seen with the naked eye and tangled hair is not an indication. Still, it is better to just figure all new pigs are infested and to treat accordingly (we always did with pigs coming into the rescue).
The problem sounds like you do not know if the pig received the proper dose of Revolution. Is there some way to find out? Call the former owner or caretaker of the pig?
Can I ask why you believe the pig has mites? Is it scratching or does it have patches of hairloss? Remember that mites cannot be seen with the naked eye and tangled hair is not an indication. Still, it is better to just figure all new pigs are infested and to treat accordingly (we always did with pigs coming into the rescue).
The problem sounds like you do not know if the pig received the proper dose of Revolution. Is there some way to find out? Call the former owner or caretaker of the pig?
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Thanks so much for all the responses!
WICharlie: I already tried to find out what the last foster gave, but they had no idea. I was just told that a vet gave him "one dose of Revolution." I don't even know when. I suspect at least 1 week ago.
The reason I think he still has mites is because I found two little scabs on his trunk, he throws a fit and bites every time you even hold the little guy, and he squeals his head off when you even lay one finger on him to pet him. Poor thing. Not only that, given what the last foster told me about his scraggly hair and how it grew back better once they dosed him, I'm just not willing to take any chances.
Sus4rabbitsnpigs: He's been fed pretty well for at least the last month, and appears pretty healthy. (He has a nice round belly.) I don't suspect scurvy.
Lynx: So, you mean, I have to continually give Revolution? I think I'll go with the tried and true Ivermectin. Do you know if I can give him Ivermectin this soon after receiving Revolution? And he's so little. I forget if it's okay to give it to him this young. (Sorry, it's been a few years since I had a pig this little.) I'm pretty anxious to get this going... I was so worried about transporting them to my other pigs that I took a shower after holding him yesterday! (ha ha) As you can imagine, that's going to get old pretty quick!
WICharlie: I already tried to find out what the last foster gave, but they had no idea. I was just told that a vet gave him "one dose of Revolution." I don't even know when. I suspect at least 1 week ago.
The reason I think he still has mites is because I found two little scabs on his trunk, he throws a fit and bites every time you even hold the little guy, and he squeals his head off when you even lay one finger on him to pet him. Poor thing. Not only that, given what the last foster told me about his scraggly hair and how it grew back better once they dosed him, I'm just not willing to take any chances.
Sus4rabbitsnpigs: He's been fed pretty well for at least the last month, and appears pretty healthy. (He has a nice round belly.) I don't suspect scurvy.
Lynx: So, you mean, I have to continually give Revolution? I think I'll go with the tried and true Ivermectin. Do you know if I can give him Ivermectin this soon after receiving Revolution? And he's so little. I forget if it's okay to give it to him this young. (Sorry, it's been a few years since I had a pig this little.) I'm pretty anxious to get this going... I was so worried about transporting them to my other pigs that I took a shower after holding him yesterday! (ha ha) As you can imagine, that's going to get old pretty quick!
It's a tough one. You don't want him sick from chemical overdose. However, I think it does sound like he might have a mite infestation going on there and the Revolution should have worked pretty quickly to alleviate his discomfort. I think I would go ahead and treat with ivermectin if it were me. Remember that it goes after the present mites for about 24 hours and then dissapates. It does not work like say Frontline for dogs where it stays working to repell parasites. That's why we have to reapply it at the exact intervals to catch mites that move into the adult stage.
With a pig that appears to have a severe infestation, I would continue to treat a 4th and 5th time, just to be sure.
With a pig that appears to have a severe infestation, I would continue to treat a 4th and 5th time, just to be sure.
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Thanks for the advice, WICharlie!
I would definitely not say that this is a severe infestation. He barely itches when he's not being held and there is no hair loss, but given that there was, I definitely will be watching him closely after the first 3 doses. It's so hard to tell when they have mites though! I have a pig that's been itchy for years and I still think he has mites sometimes, even though nothing has been spread to the others, and he's never gotten worse. (I also dosed him 4 times w/Ivermectin when I first got him as a youngster 5 years ago!)
I found out today that my new guy had Revolution (the kitten dose) nearly a month ago. I still don't know if it's too early to add Ivermectin though. If someone knows, please tell me! I want to get started asap. My other pigs are dying to meet him! (Ok, ok...maybe it's ME that's dying to introduce him.)
Thanks for any help!
I would definitely not say that this is a severe infestation. He barely itches when he's not being held and there is no hair loss, but given that there was, I definitely will be watching him closely after the first 3 doses. It's so hard to tell when they have mites though! I have a pig that's been itchy for years and I still think he has mites sometimes, even though nothing has been spread to the others, and he's never gotten worse. (I also dosed him 4 times w/Ivermectin when I first got him as a youngster 5 years ago!)
I found out today that my new guy had Revolution (the kitten dose) nearly a month ago. I still don't know if it's too early to add Ivermectin though. If someone knows, please tell me! I want to get started asap. My other pigs are dying to meet him! (Ok, ok...maybe it's ME that's dying to introduce him.)
Thanks for any help!
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Thanks, Lynx, but I'm not planning on giving any of the other pigs Ivermectin...just the new pig. I just dont know if it's too soon. Now I'm also wondering if I should just give him one more dose of Revolution instead. Any thoughts?
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Sounds good, Lynx. Thanks! I'll do that. How long should I keep him in quarantine after I give it to him? Remember, this will be his second dose. His foster thinks he had the first dose around 6/13.