But now I am constantly updating my breeding program and introducing new stock, I am accutely aware of the dangers of bringing in diseases and pests to those beloved pets I already look after.
So when I realised 2 new Abyssinians had been sold to me with Manage Mite (gggrrrrr!), I got to work smothering them with Vaseline and Bepanthen Ointment and kept them in "quarantine" away from my other piggies. Yes, they looked funny and were quite difficult to hold, but it did work. Their hair grew back and they stopped scratching themselves into welts.
But I wanted to be completely sure I had eradicated everything, for good. Manage Mites are microscopic and attack beneath the skin. So I took the affected piggies to the vet. Twenty syringes and $40 later, I was in my garage injecting all my flock with 0.05ml of Ivomectin. I dosed the smaller piggies with 0.025ml. My vet assured me I wouldn't "overdose" them.
The treatment will take four weeks of weekly injections. Sigh. But you know what? I love the feeling of taking care of my cavies. I will keep the affected piggies in quarantine until the end of the treatment, but already they are a lot less disturbed.
Rusty about to get his shot.
On anoter note, Jake STILL hasn't given birth. She's a lot fatter than last time but can still move like a flash of lightening when she feels vulnerable. I've got her in a separate cage to help her get some much needed rest before the big event. I check on her every hour or so. I am getting quite anxious, as her "sitting bones" have still not parted and I've read that they should at least 48 hours before birth is imminent. She looks like she's going to explode! C'mon Jake, what's the hold-up????
Happy trails!
