Wheekerpedia: I
I is for:
Igloo: Plastic houses made for guinea pigs to hide in and some like to sit on the top of them.
Impaction: When the anal muscles become slack guinea pigs will often become impacted. Dietry fibre is also thought to possibly play a part in this in some cases. Daily cleaning out of the sac is required and the contents fed back to the guinea pig. They contain the important B vitamin that is not ‘absorbed’ first time round the digestive system. The pellets that get ‘impacted’ are the soft edible ones, not the hard shiny ones.
Incisors: Guinea pigs have 4 Incisors, some lose an Incisor, for various reasons eg tooth root abscess, but manage perfectly well with only 3. The single Incisor is often able to wear against the opposite two with little or no attention. Incisors should always be monitored as they can often give clues as to what is happening inside the mouth. For example, the way they wear/slant is telling as to which side the Molars have overgrown.
Injection: It is only necessary to inject guinea pigs when the case is severe. This is very rarely, most problems can be dealt with by using the oral (by mouth) route. A common misuse of injection is when guinea pigs are treated for mites. Oral treatment is often adequate yet it is wrongly believed that an injection is necessary.
Itrafungol: Information on this drug; NOAH
Ivermectin: Ivermectin is present in products used to treat mites in guinea pigs. It can be given orally, by injection or topically. By injection is the fastest route to the problem but is only necessary in very severe cases. Orally is quick, easy to do and no mess, the dose is accurately given. Topically the hair needs to be parted and the Ivermectin product put on the skin. The guinea pig must be held firmly so that the whole pippette is dispensed and reaches its destination. Ivermectin should be given on day one and day ten where the problem is not very severe, this will stop the lifecycle of the mite. If infestation is bad then give on day one, day three and day ten. A bath to rid the coat of eggs and mites etc will make the guinea much more comfortable. Check the instructions that come with the shampoo for when to use in relation to Ivermectin. There is usually at least a 24 hour gap needed, often 48 hours.