Guinea Lynx A Medical and Care Guide for Guinea Pigs

IVERMECTIN PRODUCTS

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A Variety Of Ivermectin Products Can Be Used To Treat For Mites

SHEEP DRENCH

Sheep drench contains 0.8 mg /ml meaning a 0.25ml dose will contain about 0.2 mg ivermectin. No dilution may be necessary, as a one cc (equivalent to one ml) syringe will relatively accurately measure oral doses in this range, adjusted for the weight of the animal.

Use sheep drench:

  • Orally - at 0.2 mg/kg
  • Topically - at 0.5 mg/kg

1% INJECTION

Ivomec Marketed for cattle, this product contains 10 mg/ml, meaning a 0.2 mg amount would be found in 2 hundredths of a ml. This amount would be difficult to accurately measure with commonly available syringes, but thoroughly mixing 9 ml propylene glycol with 1 ml of this form of ivermectin, results in a concentration of 1 mg/ml, a solution that allows for more accurate oral dosing. For example, a guinea pig weighing a kilo and requiring a 0.2mg dose of ivermectin, could be treated with 0.2 ml of the described solution (1 part injectable to 9 parts other).

Use 1% injectable ivermectin:

  • Topically (undiluted) - at 0.5 mg/kg
  • Orally (usually diluted) - at 0.2 mg/kg
  • By injection (undiluted) - at 0.2 mg/kg

HORSE PASTE

The use of ivermectin horse paste to treat guinea pigs for mites is no longer recommended due to the difficulty of diluting properly and the wide availability of reasonably priced generic pour-on ivermectin. Dosing is much simpler using a pour-on.

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Ivermectin products. Ivermectin is available over-the-counter. Many areas of the country have farm supply stores like Southern States Farm Cooperative where it can be easily purchased. A search on the internet under "ivermectin" and "veterinary supply" will turn up other sources for these products. Valley Vet is a popular online supplier of low-cost generic ivermectin.

Remember that you are advised to SEE A VET to ensure your guinea pig is properly treated for mites.

PROPYLENE GLYCOL

Some people question the safety of propylene glycol. For sheep, the most toxic side effects appear to be the result of the carrier (propylene glycol) and not the orally administered ivermectin. (See "Toxic Syndrome": (FDA - NADA 131-392)

"In conclusion. the adverse effects observed in the sheep given ivermectin formulated in propylene glyco1 seemed to be more attributable to the vehicle than to ivermectin."

Mandigers et al. (1993) reported subdermal necrosis at the injection site in the young and skin inflammation in older animals, suggesting propylene glycol was the cause. My large animal vet friend prefers to avoid using propylene glycol for dilutions and instead uses vegetable oil, mixing it for immediate use. She does not know how shelf life is affected if the dilution is stored. It is also possible to dilute some forms of ivermectin with water for immediate use. Go Up

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