Okay a non horsie friend is asking for help about treating her GP who has mange with Ivermectin. She researched on the internet and found the proper dosage but since the amount is so small she is terrified of overdosing and killing the GP. Her husband is against taking the “rat” to the vet for this. Anyone ever use Ivermectin for a smaller pet? My suggestion was to calculate proper dose and then give it a little less to be sure.
thoughts? thanks!
Ivermectin is NOT recommended for small animals. It can cause some very nasty side effects, including neurological disorders, blindness, paralysis, etc.
Infact, I had taken my hedgehog to the vet last week for mite treatment. Despite knowing that Ivermectin was not recommended for small animals, the vet told me that side effects were uncommon and that she should be fine, so I agreed to go ahead with treatment. 24 hours later, I found her lethargic, very wobbly, showing poor neurologic function. Took her to the emergency vet (same practice, different vet) and the vet we saw that night confirmed my knowledge that it is def. NOT recommended for small animals. She pulled through but it involved an overnight stay at the vet and she is still not feeling 100%.
Not worth the risk, IMO. There are surely other treatments for mange. In all honesty, they shouldn’t have the pet if she/her husband aren’t willing to seek out proper vet care.
NO NO NO NO NO!!! Do NOT give anything off label to a small animal. Consult a vet who has experience with exotics ALWAYS before you attempt to dose a guinea pig, rabbit, hedgehog or other small animal. Ivermectin, Frontline or Revolution can be fatal to small animals.
PLEASE consult your vet first!
Frontline in particular is FATAL to rabbits and other small animals. PLEASE consult a vet!
[QUOTE=Guin;6084964]
NO NO NO NO NO!!! Do NOT give anything off label to a small animal. Consult a vet who has experience with exotics ALWAYS before you attempt to dose a guinea pig, rabbit, hedgehog or other small animal. Ivermectin, Frontline or Revolution can be fatal to small animals.
PLEASE consult your vet first!
Frontline in particular is FATAL to rabbits and other small animals. PLEASE consult a vet![/QUOTE]
I was not aware of Frontline. But yes, Ivermectin def. is! There is serious risk of neurological problems or even death from ivermectin, even when appropriately dosed. Don’t do it.
Ivermectin TOPICALLY might be safe. I have treated a LOT of mice with topical ivermectin for mites with ZERO issues. I don’t know anything about guinea pigs. Info here: http://thefunmouse.com/info/hair-loss.cfm#treatment
Do NOT EVER let a vet talk you into using oral ivermectin on a tiny critter.
Ivermectin and Revolution ARE the treatments of choice for GPs. Yes, they can have side effects, just as anything else, but I personally know of hundreds that have been successfully treated with no issue. I’ve also used it orally on the 20 or so that came to my house for foster care. I would be concerned about a vet that used anything else!
This is the best site for info, along with disclaimers.
http://www.guinealynx.info/mites.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/ivermectin.html (dosing guidelines along with detailed instructions in the upper left corner)
OP, if they won’t take it to a (knowledgeable) vet, have them call shelters and rescues to see if anyone will sell them some some Revolution or recommend a vet that will dispense it without an office visit. For Ivermectin you need to know the exact weight for dosing but the kitten formulation of Revolution is a one size fits all, and a lot easier to use.
Of course they should be finding a good vet for this animal but if that’s not going to happen, at least they can end the torment of mites quickly.
[QUOTE=CrazyGuineaPigLady;6085529]
Ivermectin and Revolution ARE the treatments of choice for GPs. Yes, they can have side effects, just as anything else, but I personally know of hundreds that have been successfully treated with no issue. I’ve also used it orally on the 20 or so that came to my house for foster care. I would be concerned about a vet that used anything else!
This is the best site for info, along with disclaimers.
http://www.guinealynx.info/mites.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/ivermectin.html (dosing guidelines along with detailed instructions in the upper left corner)
OP, if they won’t take it to a (knowledgeable) vet, have them call shelters and rescues to see if anyone will sell them some some Revolution or recommend a vet that will dispense it without an office visit. For Ivermectin you need to know the exact weight for dosing but the kitten formulation of Revolution is a one size fits all, and a lot easier to use.
Of course they should be finding a good vet for this animal but if that’s not going to happen, at least they can end the torment of mites quickly.[/QUOTE]
I don’t know anything about Ivermectin topically (it sounded like she was wanting to give orally which is a big no-no). But Revolution (which I believe has smaller amounts of ivermectin in it) is one of the safer treatments for mites.
I’ve still seen (and experienced first hand) how nasty the side effects can be so I still wouldn’t recommend Ivermectin orally/injection even under a vets guidance, let alone just dosing him youself from a tube of it :eek: Also wanted to note- Ivermectin given by injection is usually done in 3 sittings. It’s not often until the 2nd injection that the small ones will starts howing side effects, although it can definitely happen after the first one, as it did with my Hedghog. Just something to keep in mind- if they are fine after the first injection it doesn’t mean they will be fine for the rest of the treatment.
I hope the little piggie can get to a vet who can give him proper treatment. Or if not, at least do as CGL suggested and take him to the shelter so that he will get the treatment he needs and a good home.
I’m sorry for the experience you had with your Hedgehog but this thread is about a Guinea Pig. Different species have different needs and intolerances so it’s not fair to to say that Ivermectin is the kiss of death for all “small animals”. I am fortunate to have no less than 3 fantastic GP vets in my area and, now that they know I’m not a flake, each would advise me to treat at home for mites rather than transport for the same exact treatment.
If you had looked at the link I provided, you’d see that oral is not just sticking a tube of Zimecterin in a GP’s mouth. It needs to be diluted and administered in the proper dosage according to weight. I’m ASSuming many things based on info in the OP but it sounds like they’ve done some research and treating this way is better than letting the animal suffer and die.
BTW, I only mentioned shelters and rescues as a resource to find less expensive ways of treatment. Guinea Pigs have a better chance of surviving a correct dosage of Ivermectin or Revolution at home than being dumped at the shelter with a bad case of mites!
thanks all, sounds like she did the topical Ivermectin and so far so good.
I can recommend a reputable pharmacy (Ivermectin) - http://www.top-online-pills.com I received the order and it was on time and the pills work great.
