Could mange be a concern?
One guinea pig owner asks if an illness more commonly associated with dogs could strike her pair of rodent pets
QI have read about mange in dogs and wondered if this disease can occur in guinea pigs, and if it is easy to diagnose. I have two four-year-old males, both healthy at the moment.
AMange is an older term for various parasitic mite infestations of skin. In the UK, two parasitic mites in dogs are particularly important.
These are Sarcoptes, causing sarcoptic mange (canine scabies), and Demodex, which causes demodectic mange (canine demodicosis).
In guinea pigs, a mite from the same family as Sarcoptes can cause mange. It is quite common but generally doesn’t cause skin problems unless there is another disease present, a vitamin C deficiency or stress.
Just like canine scabies, the disease in guinea pigs is very itchy.
Furious scratching can build up quite quickly and in severe cases the animal can go into convulsions.
Owners typically pick up these signs very quickly, and most affected guinea pigs will see the vet before advanced problems develop.
In more severe cases, I usually find the mite easy to find in skin scrapings or by using tape strips.
However, it can be slightly more difficult in less severe cases. If doubt exists, there are several possible treatments and a cure is expected if underlying disease is also treated.
There are other less commonly seen parasitic mites that can occur in guinea pigs, but usually with minimal clinical signs.
Q
My 10-year-old female Jack Russell cross has started jumping up at visitors. The only way to stop it is to give her a chew stick. How can I encourage her not to jump up?
AIt’s interesting that your dog has only started jumping up at this age. I tend to consider this as typical behaviour (before it becomes a nuisance) of small puppies.
At a time when everything is exciting, interacting with the pup when it jumps up often inadvertently encourages the behaviour.
Dogs jump up because they are seeking rewards. Initially it will have been to get your attention and the reward could be affectionate rubbing of the ears and making a fuss. Even shouting to get down is a reward because you will have given the dog your attention. Unfortunately, you may have added to the problem by giving her a substantial reward – the chew stick. She now knows that jumping up will be followed by your undivided attention and a tasty treat.
A training programme should quickly teach her that rewards only come when all four paws are on the ground. All family and visitors can be part of the training programme, and it is important to be consistent.
Always step back and ignore her when she jumps up and only reward her when she is sitting quietly.
A very good training video Teach Your Dog Not to Jump Up is available at dogstrust.org.uk